Meat
Wildebeest
Wildebeest (gnu) is a lean African game meat with a mild beef-like flavour and firm texture, widely used for steaks, stews, and biltong. Blue and black wildebeest supply regulated wild harvest and ranch meat across southern and eastern Africa. Low fat rewards careful cooking: loin and rump suit quick searing, while shoulder and shin suit braising. Dried strips are a classic biltong variety alongside beef and springbok.
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Cuts & parts
Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
Preparations
Provenance
Sources
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 12.9 g
- Saturated Fat 4.96 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 5.26 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.94 g
- Cholesterol 66.8 mg
- Sodium 56.9 mg
- Salt 0.14 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 23.7 g
- Water 56.1 g
- Energy 198 kcal
- Water 56.1 g
- Protein 23.7 g
- Animal Protein 22.5 g
- Fat 12.9 g
- Saturated Fat 4.96 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 5.26 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.94 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Vitamins 41.9 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.08 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 5.32 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.57 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.38 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.3 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 7.4 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 1.9 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0.2 µg
- Vitamin E 0.27 mg
- Vitamin K 1.3 µg
- Minerals 296 mg
- Major Minerals 285 mg
- Trace Minerals 10.8 mg
- Salt 0.14 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.14 g
- Cholesterol 66.8 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 1.9 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.08 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.2 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 5.32 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.57 · vitamin-b6: 0.38 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.3 · vitamin-b9-folate: 7.4 · vitamin-d: 0.2 · vitamin-e: 0.27 · vitamin-k: 1.3 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 56.94 · Potassium: 174 · Calcium: 54 · Iron: 2.4 · Zinc: 3.4 · Iodine: 5 ·
Muscle meat is protein-dense with variable marbling fat.
In the kitchen
Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Wildebeest.
Usually avoid with
Often clash in flavour or tradition
History
Indigenous peoples of the African savanna hunted wildebeest as a major protein source along migratory routes.
Settler hunting and later game ranching incorporated wildebeest into dried-meat and stew traditions.
Commercial game ranching expanded wildebeest meat and biltong supply under wildlife management rules.
Export and specialty markets featured wildebeest as a lean exotic red meat and biltong flavour.