This article outlines the best meats for picky eaters and gives you the scoop on proteins for kids. 

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What are the best meats for picky eaters? 

It’s a question I’m asked at least once a week. 

It’s so common to worry about whether your child is eating enough protein, especially if they aren’t a fan of meat or other sources of protein.

Meats are notoriously difficult for picky eaters and while meat is not a dietary requirement, meat is a big part of the family diet and an effective way to serve a nutritious meal.

As with all things kids, there is no one size fits all answer to the question of the best meats for picky eaters. However, after working with dozens and dozens of children and their families, and after years of research and experience with picky eaters, I have a few meat suggestions that are often picky-eater-approved.

First, let’s take a look at why protein is important for kids and how much protein kids actually need. 

Why Is Protein Important for Kids? 

What comes to mind when you think of protein? I think of growth and muscles.

Protein is important for both! It’s also the building block of almost everything else in the body: skin, bones, hair, blood, organs, and the enzymes that control body function. 

Protein also helps kids stay and feel full.

How Much Protein Do Kids Need?

For reference, most meat has 7 grams of protein per ounce.

What To Look For When Buying Meats for Picky Eaters

Food quality and nutrition matter for kids. I know as a parent of a picky eater (who probably isn’t eating the most nutritious foods) that you’re watching everything that your child eats and are worried about them getting the nutrition they need to thrive.

Meat is a nutrient-rich food that provides so much more than just protein. But all meat is not created equally.

When buying meat for my family, I look for wholesome options and quality when it comes to nutrition, taste, and sustainability.

ButcherBox has high-quality meat that you can feel good about feeding your family and ever since having my meat-loving iron-deficient son, it’s become my go-to source for convenient, wholesome free-range chicken and grass fed beef. I believe these make the meat better for our bodies (grass fed beef is an incredible source of omega-3s) and also the environment and the animals themselves.

It’s not always easy to find such quality meat. That’s why I love ButcherBox and it’s actually why the company was founded.

ButcherBox is a subscription service that sends frozen high quality grass fed beef, organic free-range chicken, and wild sustainably-sourced seafood directly to your door.

It’s delicious, nutritious, and convenient – what more could you ask for?

The Best Meats for Picky Eaters

Ground Meat

Ground meat is moist and easy-to-chew making it a win for many picky eaters. I also love how adaptable it is. Ground meat can be used in so many different ways (making it easy to work on multiple exposures) and can take on many kid-friendly seasonings and flavor profiles.

I’ve never been a meat lover and ground meat – whether it’s beef, chicken, turkey, or even the occasional bison – is the one way I am always happy to eat meat.

There are always several pounds in my freezer. Which is why I’m excited to share that when you join ButcherBox you’ll receive an amazing offer: 2 lbs of 100% grass fed ground beef FOREVER as long as you’re a member. Honestly, nothing feels better than having a freezer full of high-quality food that I know my son and my family will eat. Whenever things don’t go according to plan or whenever you need a meal you can rely on, ButcherBox has you covered, now more than ever before with this special offer.

Below are a few ways you can put your free grass-fed ground beef to use.

Ground Meat Meal Ideas For Picky Eaters:
Tacos or nachos
Meatballs
Pasta with meat sauce
Mini burgers
Sloppy Joes

Breaded Chicken

Breading makes chicken better! It’s another one of my personal go-tos for myself when eating chicken because it disguises the taste and texture. These are big barriers for picky eaters, so it’s worth exploring for your child.

I make breaded chicken breast or tenders nearly every week because they’re so quick and easy and make the whole family happy. Breaded chicken is a great idea for kids who are already familiar with breaded foods or chicken nuggets.

It’s really important to me that chicken is organic and free-range. I can’t consistently find natural and humanely raised chicken at my local grocery store (and when I do it’s often a fortune). ButcherBox’s frozen shipments makes it easy to always have high-quality chicken at home.

Breaded Chicken Ideas for Picky Eaters:
Pretzel chicken
Almond chicken cutlets (I make this recipe almost weekly because it’s SO easy and tasty!)
Chicken parmesan (with or without sauce)
Chicken tenders
Play around with the type of breading when you’re introducing these to your child for the first time and when working to bring in more variety. You can also experiment with chicken tenders, cutlets, breasts, and other cuts of chicken. Skinny chicken tenders might be a smart first introduction for many picky eaters.

On a Stick

Food on a stick is fun. It’s a great option to try with toddlers. Sometimes all they need is a little novelty!

Try chicken or beef skewers. You can also cut any standard preparation of meat and offer small pieces on toothpicks, food picks (like eyeballs or trucks) or tiny forks (use your judgement on what is safe for your child). 

Sausage

Sausage is a great meat option for picky eaters because it eliminates the inconsistencies of taste and texture that prevent so many kids from enjoying meat. Though meaty in flavor, sausage is available in so many varieties, and doesn’t feel overly meaty in the mouth.
Experiment with how you offer sausage: whole, cut into rounds, cut into pieces, grilled, mixed with other foods, out of the casing etc. You can even make sausage into mini burgers or meatballs.

Sausage Ideas for Picky Eaters
Breakfast sausage
Sausage patties

Bacon

Bacon is a controversial topic whenever I suggest it, but I can’t not mention it because it seems to be the most universally picky-eater-approved meat. I think picky eaters, like so many, gravitate towards bacon’s crunch and saltiness.

Look for a high quality option if you are concerned about bacon’s nutritional profile. ButcherBox provides uncured bacon that is humanely raised, crate-free, and free of nitrites, nitrates and added sugar.

A Note on Protein for Kids
Meat is far from the only source of protein. Beans, dairy, fish, tofu, and many other foods provide nutritious protein.