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6 Unusual Meats You Should Try paleo diet-min

6 Unusual Meats You Should Try

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One of the many luxuries of a Paleo diet is all of the high quality meat, fish and poultry there is to enjoy. For me, it doesn’t get better than a grass fed fillet steak, a crisp wild salmon fillet or a couple of juicy chicken thighs. However, there are times when it feels like you have hit meat monotony; which is the perfect time to shake things up and introduce something new to dinner times. There are plenty of exciting, more unusual meats just waiting to be enjoyed…

Which of the following have you tried?

Ostrich

Ostrich is a delicious, rich red meat that is a brilliant alternative to beef or lamb. The meat actually comes mainly from the legs and back of the bird – there isn’t any breast meat available! It makes excellent burgers, and the steaks are lovely simply pan fried and served rare. It’s a very good source of protein, iron and calcium – and almost always free range too.

Kangaroo

Like Ostrich, Kangaroo meat is almost always free range – I'm still yet to visit a kangaroo farm! It has a texture that is somewhat like liver, and is best served rare and paired with rich flavours like garlic, sun dried tomatoes and caramelised onions. I've also seen kangaroo sausages, although they were made with wheat flour and some strange looking ingredients, so I decided to give these a miss – but making my own is definitely on the to do list.

6 Unusual Meats You Should Try paleo diet

Zebra

A mild tasting meat, Zebra has delicate ‘gamey’ flavours similar to venison. As it has a low fat content, it’s important not to overcook it and make it too tough – serve the steaks medium rare and enjoy with roasted root vegetables or a big green salad. Demand is increasing for Zebra year on year, so it can be pretty expensive. Make sure it’s from a good source with humane hunting methods and fast shipping from its country of residence.

Bison

Bison is very similar to beef, but it’s always wild – so not subject to any of the artificial hormones, drugs and feeds found in modern day beef production. For this reason, it’s more expensive, but definitely worth it. Bison mince makes excellent burgers and Paleo Bolognaise, and the steaks are perfect just as they are. It has a more well-rounded amino acid profile than beef as well, and is very rich in Iron and Vitamin B 12.

Crocodile

Likened to chicken, crocodile is a mild tasting, lightly coloured meat that works well in curries and stir-fries. You’ll find most of the good meat in the tail, which means it’s very lean. Make sure you source this meat sustainably though, as some species of crocodile are at high risk of extinction.

Camel

Camel has been enjoyed for centuries across Africa and Asia, and is a popular choice with Muslims as it is considered Halal. The flavour is slightly sweet and similar to mutton, and it benefits from slow cooking as it can be rather tough. One camel yields an exceptionally high amount of meat, as almost the entire animal (including the hump!) is edible. Camel blood is also consumed by many indigenous tribes in Africa – but I’d recommend staying clear of this one!

Are there any unusual meats that you have tried that I've missed? Please feel free to share them with me below!

20 unusual uses for avocado alternative ideas paleo-min

20+ Unusual Things To Do With Avocado

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Avocado is one of the ultimate Paleo super-foods. A great fat source and very versatile, avocado is great in salads and as a breakfast side. But there’s more to the fruit than that! Here is a list of 20 things you didn't know you could do with an avocado.

1. Freeze to use later

Peel and remove the pit and add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a bowl, per avocado. Mash well together and freeze in an airtight bag (making sure you squeeze all the air out before sealing) for up to a year. A great way to preserve an overflow of avocados.

2. Remove the pit with no mess

Cut the fruit in half and hit a knife into the stone. Simply twist the knife to remove the pit.

20 Unusual Uses for Avocado – Alternative Paleo Ideas

3. Ripen fast

Put the unripe fruit in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. After two or three days the avocado will be ripe.

4. Can’t wait?

If there’s not time to wait for it to fully ripen, cut from the fat end, as this is always the first part to ripen.

5. Drink it

Blend together an avocado, handful of spinach, a pear and some almond milk for a smoothie packed with good fats

6. Treat your hair

Nourish your hair by mixing an avocado, egg yolk and dash of olive oil. Leave this on your dry hair for 30 minutes before rinsing off and shampooing as usual. Your hair will be silky and soft.

7. Spice up your guacamole

Have you tried adding cumin and orange to your favourite guacamole recipe yet?

8. Pickle it

For a different take on avocado, try jarring it. Heat 250ml (1 cup) white vinegar, 250ml (1 cup) water and a tablespoon of salt in a pan until it boils. Cut three firm but ripe avocado into pieces and put in a jar. Pour the boiling liquid in the jar, and once cooled, put the lid on and allow to marinate in the fridge for a couple for days before using (should keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge)

9. Avocado ice cream

Blend an avocado, frozen banana, a few drops of vanilla extract and small tin of coconut milk. Freeze and once frozen, allow to thaw for a few minutes before serving.

10. Roast chicken

Try stuffing a chicken with a peeled avocado before roasting it

11. Make a chocolate pudding with it

Seriously – you have to try chocolate avocado mousse!

12. Save the pit and grow your very own avocado tree

Suspend the pit in a jar of water using toothpicks in the side of the stone, to submerge all but the top of the seed in water. Eventually the stone will break open revealing a root – and then finally a stalk! Then, quite a long time later you’ll have your own avocado tree and all the fruit you could possibly want.

13. Avocado curry?

Have you ever made a chicken curry with avocado as a base?

14. Roast it

Try roasting avocado, by peeling, removing the pit and slicing. Drizzle with oil and season, then bake at 200C (400F) for about 15 minutes. Roast avocado is great with a salad.

15. Eat the pit

Let the pit dry, grate it and add a small amount to a home-made enchilada sauce.

16. Avocado mayonnaise

Instead of adding mayonnaise to your meal, add pureed avocado instead.

17. Skin therapy

Make a face-mask with avocado, an egg white and a squeeze of lemon juice and wear it for 5 to 10 minutes to get the Vitamin A and E benefits directly on your skin.

18. Summertime treat

Make avocado ice lollies (popsicles) by blending avocado, coconut milk and lemon juice and freezing in popsicle moulds.

19. Make your own Avocado oil

If you've got time, patience – and lots of fruit – you can even make your own avocado oil

20. Avocado soup

Make an unusual – but delightful chilled avocado, cucumber and coconut soup. Blend an avocado, pinch of coriander, squeeze of line and small cucumber, then add a small can of coconut milk to the mix. Blend, then serve with some coconut flakes to garnish.

21. Use avocado as a baby’s first food

Avocado is an ideal first food for babies starting solids. It’s naturally soft, easy to mash, and full of healthy fats essential for brain development. For Paleo families raising their kids with ancestral nutrition in mind, mashed avocado is a nutrient-dense alternative to processed baby foods.

22. Create a creamy salad dressing

Instead of traditional dressings that may contain seed oils and additives, try blending half an avocado with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs to create a Paleo-friendly creamy salad dressing. It’s thick, flavourful, and totally dairy-free.

23. Use avocado to thicken soups and sauces

Instead of using cream or flour to thicken soups or sauces, add a ripe avocado towards the end of cooking and blend it through. It adds a velvety texture without altering the flavour too much, and keeps the dish firmly within Paleo guidelines.

24. Bake avocado fries

Cut avocado into wedges, dip them in whisked egg, coat with crushed almond or coconut flour, and bake until crispy. These Paleo-friendly “fries” are a perfect side dish or snack — crunchy on the outside, buttery on the inside.

25. Make a green Paleo hollandaise

Combine avocado, lemon juice, egg yolks, and ghee in a blender to create a green twist on hollandaise sauce. Ideal for eggs or roast veggies, this sauce adds richness and healthy fats to your meals.

26. Make an avocado fat bomb

For those following a low-carb Paleo or keto-Paleo approach, fat bombs made from avocado, coconut oil, cacao powder, and a touch of vanilla can be a great high-fat snack that keeps you satiated.

27. Use avocado in baking

Swap out butter or oils in Paleo muffin or brownie recipes and replace with mashed avocado. It keeps baked goods moist and dense without affecting flavour, while sneaking in extra nutrients.

28. Add avocado to Paleo sushi

Avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats to your Paleo sushi rolls. Wrap with cauliflower rice and nori sheets, then fill with sliced avocado, cucumber, and salmon for a delicious and grain-free sushi experience.

29. Soothe sunburn with avocado

The nourishing oils and antioxidants in avocado can be used to relieve sunburned skin. Mash and apply directly to the skin for 15 minutes before rinsing off — ideal for sensitive areas after an Aussie summer day.

30. Upgrade your breakfast scramble

Add diced avocado right at the end of your scrambled eggs or omelette. It not only brings a creamy contrast to the texture, but the combination of protein and fat makes for a more satisfying Paleo breakfast.

Avocados: The Paleo All-Rounder

Avocados go far beyond simple slices on toast (which, let’s be honest, isn't very Paleo). They’re one of the most versatile and nutritious additions to a whole-food, ancestral lifestyle. With a bit of creativity, this humble fruit can feature in every meal — from breakfast to dessert — and even in your skincare routine.

If you’ve discovered an out-of-the-box way to use avocado that fits the Paleo lifestyle, I’d love to hear it in the comments!