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Often described as a cross between beef and venison, ostrich is a lean, flavourful protein you have to make part of your new year.

An extraordinary source of protein, ostrich fillet, in particular, will be your most prized cut, offering incredible versatility. Whether you're crafting an elegant open sandwich that showcases the meat's tenderness or preparing convenient meal-prep solutions for your weekly nutrition goals, choose ostrich fillet. Hear us out:

• Ostrich meat represents one of the most exciting and nutritious alternatives to traditional red meat. It’s naturally low in fat, high in iron, and packed with essential nutrients, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious food enthusiasts.
• You can expect a rich, slightly gamey flavour similar to beef but with a more delicate texture and tenderness when cooked to perfection.

Cooking ostrich fillet perfectly requires understanding its unique characteristics. Unlike other meat, ostrich is extremely lean, which means it can go from succulent to overcooked in mere minutes.

Some tips: Remove fillets from packaging, allow it to breathe at room temperature for at least 10 minutes, and pat it dry before cooking. Make sure you brush with olive oil on both sides, and season it after grilling, as salt can cause loss of meat juices.

Get more tips here

The key, however, lies in mastering temperature control, timing and complementary flavours that enhance rather than mask its distinctive taste.

With that, it’s worth not dressing it up – but down – with a simple ostrich steak open sandwich:

Open ostrich steak sandwich

Tender ostrich steak meets the zing of wasabi crème fraîche, tangy pickled onions and a whisper of crushed nori. A fusion of freshness and bold umami flavour in one crisp bite.

Open ostrich steak sandwich

Ostrich fillet meal-prep solutions

Seared ostrich fillet – versatile, lean and packed with protein – takes centre stage in three meal prep-friendly dishes. From vibrant slaws to hearty grains and roasted veg, these recipes make it easy to enjoy bold flavours and balanced nutrition all week long.

Ostrich fillet meal prep solutions

Ostrich fillet adapts beautifully to various cooking methods and flavour profiles. These recipes will guide you through maximising the potential of this extraordinary meat, ensuring every bite delivers both exceptional taste and outstanding nutritional value.

Find more ostrich recipes here.

Photography and videography: Sadiqah Assur-Ismail

Recipes and production: Bianca Jones

Woolworths' ostriches are reared by South African farmers who care as much as they do about animal welfare for the very best lean, clean and flavourful protein.

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