Do People Eat Ostrich

So, you’re staring at a menu and see “Ostrich Burger.” Your brain short-circuits. “Wait—do people actually eat ostrich? Isn’t that the bird that laughs at cheetahs?” Yes, and yes. And it turns out, millions of people do—just not at your average backyard barbecue.

The Great Ostrich Conspiracy

Let’s clear this up: ostriches aren’t just for zoo selfies or feather dusters. They’re actual livestock—like cows, but with better posture and a serious attitude problem. Farmers raise them for meat, eggs, leather, and feathers. The only thing they don’t give us is milk, mostly because trying to milk a 9-foot dinosaur-bird sounds like a prank show gone wrong.

Ostrich meat is red, not white, and tastes like a cross between lean beef and a really expensive steak. It’s lower in fat and cholesterol than chicken or turkey. So yes, you can eat your giant, angry bird and feel good about it. Just don’t tell the ostrich—they hold grudges.

Surprising Facts That’ll Make You Snort

Here’s a doozy: an ostrich egg is the size of a small cantaloupe—and it contains about 2,000 calories. That’s enough for a family of four to have a very confused brunch. People do eat them, but boiling one takes nearly an hour. Pro tip: bring a welding torch.

Ostriches can run up to 43 mph and kick with enough force to kill a lion. So the real question isn’t “do people eat ostrich?”—it’s “how do people catch them without losing a leg?” Answer: very carefully, with nets and a lot of prayer.

Ostrich Meat

In South Africa, ostrich farms are everywhere, and they even have ostrich jerky called “biltong.” It’s chewy, salty, and tastes like adventure—if adventure had a slightly rubbery texture and came from a bird that once bit a farmer.

Why You’re Not Seeing It in Grocery Stores

Ostriches are expensive to raise. They’re giant, they eat a ton, and they panic easily. A stressed ostrich doesn’t make great meat. So most ostrich ends up in high-end restaurants or specialty markets. You won’t find Ostrich McNuggets at the drive-thru—unless you’re in a fever dream.

But here’s the kicker: ostrich fat is actually valuable for skincare because it’s rich in omega-3s. So you can eat the bird, then rub its leftovers on your face. That’s efficiency the beauty industry wishes it had.

Ostrich Meat Taste

Should You Try It?

Yes. If you ever get the chance, order the ostrich burger. It’s weird, it’s wild, and you’ll have a story to tell. You can lean in and whisper to your friends, “I’m eating the dinosaur that doesn’t cry at funerals.” Then watch their faces.

And if someone asks, “Do people eat ostrich?” just smile and say, “Only the brave ones. And anyone with a good marinade.” Because in the end, all big birds taste better when you laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Now pass the ketchup—and maybe a helmet.