Examples of Muscle Meat for Human and Pet Diets

November 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Over the past few decades, modern diets have shifted heavily toward consuming muscle meat, favoring cuts like chicken breasts and steaks over more nutrient-dense organ meats. The term encompasses a wide variety of cuts from various animals, serving as a primary protein source for both humans and their animal companions. Understanding what constitutes muscle meat is essential for anyone seeking to build a well-rounded and nutritious diet.

Quick Summary

This article defines muscle meat, providing a comprehensive list of examples for both human and pet diets. It explores the nutritional benefits of these protein sources, compares them to organ meats, and offers practical tips for incorporating various cuts into a healthy eating plan for your entire family, including pets.

Key Points

Definition: Muscle meat is derived from the skeletal muscles of an animal and is distinct from organ meat (offal).
Human Examples: Common human examples include steaks, ground beef, pork chops, chicken breast, fish fillets like salmon, and game meats like venison.
Pet Examples: In pet diets, muscle meat includes boneless cuts, muscular organs like heart and tongue, green tripe, and other connective tissues like tendons.
Nutritional Profile: It is an excellent source of high-quality protein and essential amino acids, crucial for muscle repair and growth.
Vs. Organ Meat: While muscle meat is rich in protein, organ meat is significantly more concentrated in certain vitamins (like Vitamin A) and minerals (like iron and copper).
Dietary Importance: Incorporating a variety of muscle meat sources is key to a balanced diet for both humans and pets.

What is Muscle Meat?

Muscle meat is derived from the skeletal muscles of animals and is a foundational source of protein in many diets. It is primarily composed of protein and essential amino acids, with varying amounts of fat depending on the cut and animal. While often considered less nutrient-dense than organ meats, muscle meat is prized for its high protein content, which is crucial for muscle repair, growth, and overall metabolic function. It is a versatile and widely accessible food source, available in countless forms, from lean fillets to ground versions.

Common Examples of Muscle Meat for Humans

Muscle meat is a staple in most culinary traditions, providing a rich source of protein and flavor. Examples range from everyday poultry to specialty game meats.

Beef: Popular cuts include sirloin, ground beef (90% lean or higher is considered lean), tenderloin, and chuck.
Pork: Options include tenderloin, pork chops, and leaner cuts from the leg and shoulder.
Poultry: This includes skinless chicken and turkey breast, as well as darker meat from the thighs and legs.
Lamb: Leg and shoulder cuts are commonly consumed.
Fish and Seafood: Examples include salmon, tuna, shrimp, and mussels.
Game Meats: Venison, bison, and elk are excellent lean protein sources.
Eggs: Often considered a complete protein source, eggs contain all nine essential amino acids.

Examples of Muscle Meat for Pets

In raw or cooked diets for pets, muscle meat forms the majority of the diet. Several sources are recommended for their nutritional value.

Chicken and Turkey: Breast, thighs, and gizzards are great sources.
Beef and Lamb: Ground beef, as well as meat from the leg and shoulder, is suitable.
Tongue and Heart: While technically muscular organs, they are often counted within the muscle meat category in pet diets for their high taurine and nutrient content.
Green Tripe: This unbleached, raw stomach lining from ruminants is considered a muscle meat and offers beneficial enzymes.
Duck: A fatty muscle meat option that adds variety.
Tendons and Cartilage: These connective tissues are also included in the muscle meat category for raw diets.

Muscle Meat vs. Organ Meat: A Nutritional Comparison

While both are important parts of a balanced diet, they offer different nutritional profiles. Organ meats are often called "nature's multivitamins" due to their dense concentration of nutrients, while muscle meats provide consistent, high-quality protein.


Nutrient	Organ Meats (e.g., liver, kidney)	Muscle Meats (e.g., steak, chicken breast)
Protein Content	Very High	Very High
Vitamin A	Extremely High	Low
Vitamin B12	Very High	High
Iron	Very High (heme iron)	High (heme iron, but less concentrated)
Coenzyme Q10	Very High (especially heart)	Low to Moderate
Copper	High	Low
Texture & Flavor	Rich and intense; often an acquired taste	Milder, more versatile flavor and texture

Incorporating Muscle Meat into Your Diet

For both humans and pets, incorporating a variety of muscle meats is key to a complete diet. Rotating different protein sources can provide a wider spectrum of amino acids and minerals. When shopping, opt for high-quality, unprocessed cuts whenever possible.

For humans:

Balanced Meals: Combine lean muscle meat like grilled chicken breast or sirloin with plenty of vegetables and a complex carbohydrate source for a balanced, muscle-building meal.
Variety is Key: Rotate between different sources like fish, poultry, and lean red meat to get a broad range of nutrients.
Cooking Methods: Grilling, baking, and roasting are excellent ways to prepare muscle meat while minimizing added fat.

For pets (on raw diets):

The 80/10/10 Rule: A common guideline is to feed 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, and 10% organs.
Vary the Source: Just like with human diets, varying the protein source for pets can prevent sensitivities and provide a wider nutrient profile. Including muscular organs like heart and tongue is a great way to add nutrients without a full organ-meat commitment.
Mix it Up: For pets, mixing a variety of meats like beef, chicken, and duck can make meals more palatable and nutritious.

Conclusion

Understanding what are examples of muscle meat is fundamental for building a protein-rich diet, whether for yourself or your pets. It is the core of most modern meat-based diets, providing essential amino acids vital for muscle growth and repair. From lean chicken breasts to savory bison steaks, the options are plentiful and versatile. While they serve as a powerful foundation, incorporating a variety of sources and balancing them with other food groups, or in the case of pets, with organ meats and bones, is the path to optimal health and nutrition. Embracing this variety ensures you and your companions receive a comprehensive range of nutrients for vitality and long-term well-being.

What is the difference between organ and muscle meat? - Carnivore Society

https://www.carnivoresociety.com.au/blogs/resources/organ-meats-vs-muscle-meats-what-s-more-nutritious

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, beef tongue is considered a muscle meat. Although an organ, it is composed of muscle tissue and is typically categorized as muscle meat, especially in raw feeding for pets, due to its nutrient profile.

Yes, chicken gizzards are considered a muscle meat. They are a muscular organ and are often included in the muscle meat category in pet food for their chewy texture and nutritional benefits.

Yes, fish, including options like salmon and tuna, is considered a muscle meat. It is an excellent source of high-quality protein and often contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Some of the leanest muscle meats include skinless chicken and turkey breast, pork tenderloin, venison, and bison. Lean cuts of beef like sirloin are also excellent choices.

Rotating muscle meat sources, such as varying between red and white meats, is important for pets to ensure they receive a wider spectrum of amino acids and minimize the risk of developing food intolerances. This approach ensures a more complete nutritional profile over time.

Processed meats like sausage and deli meat do originate from muscle meat but are often high in sodium and saturated fat. For optimal health, fresh, unprocessed cuts are the healthier and safer option for most people.

While organ meats are more nutrient-dense, muscle meat has a milder, more versatile flavor and texture that many people find more palatable. For many, organ meat can be an acquired taste, and muscle meat is more widely accepted and easier to cook.