Where to Buy Ostrich Meat: Online, Near You & What to Look For

Quick Answer: The most reliable way to buy ostrich meat in the US is through a reputable farm or specialty meat seller that offers properly inspected products and frozen shipping. You can also find ostrich meat through specialty butchers, gourmet markets, and some restaurants, but it is rarely available at ordinary supermarkets.

Ostrich meat is becoming easier to find, but it is still not something most shoppers will see next to beef, chicken, or pork at their local grocery store. In most cases, buying online is the simplest option, especially if you already know which cut you want.

For local shoppers, the search can take a little more work. Specialty butchers, exotic meat retailers, ostrich farms, and restaurants can all be useful sources, depending on where you live. This guide explains where to look, what to compare, and what to check before placing an order.

Can You Buy Ostrich Meat in the US?

Yes, you can buy ostrich meat in the US. Ostrich farming has an established commercial presence in the country, and ostrich meat is sold through farms, specialty meat retailers, and online sellers.

Unlike conventional red meat, however, ostrich is still a niche product. Most supermarkets do not carry it as a regular item, so consumers usually need to look beyond the standard grocery store. Buying directly from a farm or specialty meat seller is often the easiest way to find specific cuts such as filet, steak, or ground ostrich.

The availability of ostrich meat also varies considerably by location. Someone living near an ostrich farm or a large specialty butcher may be able to buy it locally, while shoppers in other areas may have far more options online.

If you have never tried ostrich before, it is worth understanding its profile before ordering several pounds. Our guide to what ostrich meat tastes like explains how it compares with beef and other meats, while our breakdown of ostrich meat nutrition covers its protein, fat, and iron content.

For most first-time buyers, online ordering is the most predictable option. It allows you to compare cuts, prices, package sizes, and shipping policies instead of relying on whether a local store happens to have ostrich in stock.

Where to Buy Ostrich Meat Online

For most people, buying ostrich meat online is the simplest way to find it. Online sellers offer a wider selection of cuts than a local store, and frozen shipping makes it possible to order ostrich even when there are no specialty meat shops nearby.

Several US sellers offer ostrich meat directly to consumers. Because prices, inventory, shipping policies, and minimum order requirements change over time, checking the current product page before placing an order is always recommended.

American Ostrich Farms

American Ostrich Farms is one of the best known US sources for ostrich meat. Its online store offers several ostrich cuts and ships frozen products directly to customers.

The company focuses on ostrich raised on its own farms and provides detailed information about its products, which helps first-time buyers understand exactly what they are ordering.

Fossil Farms

Fossil Farms is another established source for ostrich meat. The company sells a range of exotic and specialty meats and offers ostrich cuts through its online store.

Its selection is especially useful if you want to compare ostrich with other alternative meats rather than buying exclusively from an ostrich-focused farm.

Briardale Ostrich Farms

Briardale Ostrich Farms is a Florida-based ostrich producer offering meat directly to customers. Availability varies by cut and inventory, so checking current selection before ordering is important.

Buying directly from a farm gives shoppers more information about where the birds are raised and how the meat is produced.

Amaroo Hills

Amaroo Hills offers ostrich meat through its online store, including several cuts intended for home cooking.

As with other smaller producers, product availability changes frequently, so treat listed cuts and prices as a current snapshot rather than permanent specifications.

Other Online Ostrich Meat Sellers

You can also find ostrich meat through specialty retailers such as Gourmet Wholesaler and Exotic Meat Market. These sellers are useful when looking for a particular cut or comparing prices across several suppliers.

Keep in mind that not every online seller is suited to every buyer. Some focus on individual households, while others are geared toward restaurants, retailers, or bulk purchases.

What Should You Compare When Buying Online?

Before placing an order, look beyond the headline price. A cheaper package may not actually be the better deal once you account for package weight, shipping costs, and minimum order requirements.

The most useful factors to compare include:

• Cut: Filet, steak, ground ostrich, and roasts vary substantially in price and preparation.
• Package size: Always compare the price per pound rather than the total package price.
• Shipping fees: Check whether frozen shipping and thermal packaging are included or added at checkout.
• Minimum order requirements: Some sellers require a minimum spend before shipping frozen goods.
• Product availability: Popular cuts sell out quickly, particularly at smaller family-operated farms.
• Sourcing transparency: Look for clear information about where the ostriches are raised and processed.

For a first purchase, ordering a smaller quantity of ground ostrich or a few individual steaks is a practical way to test the meat before committing to a larger box.

How to Find Ostrich Meat Near You

If you prefer to buy ostrich meat in person, you may be able to find it locally, but you will usually need to look beyond ordinary supermarkets. Ostrich is still a specialty product in most parts of the US, so local availability depends heavily on where you live.

Specialty and Exotic Meat Butchers

Specialty butchers are one of the best places to start. Shops that sell bison, venison, elk, wild boar, or other less common meats are far more likely to carry ostrich or be able to order it from a distributor.

If a local butcher does not have ostrich in stock, ask whether they can special-order it. Independent butchers often have access to specialty meat suppliers even if the product is not regularly displayed in their retail case.

Gourmet and Specialty Food Markets

Some gourmet food stores and specialty markets carry unusual meats alongside premium beef and artisan products. These stores are more likely to stock ostrich than a conventional supermarket, although availability can vary significantly from one location to another.

Calling ahead before visiting is always recommended. In many gourmet shops, ostrich meat is stocked only in small quantities or on a seasonal basis.

Ostrich Farms and Local Producers

If you live in an area with an active ostrich farming industry, buying directly from a nearby farm is another viable option. Some farms sell meat directly to consumers from their own facilities, while others supply local farm stands and regional retailers.

Checking a farm’s website or social media page is usually the fastest way to confirm whether they offer on-farm pickup, farm-stand sales, or direct deliveries.

Farmers Markets and Local Food Events

Farmers markets can be another possibility, particularly in regions where ostrich ranches operate nearby. While not every farm attends markets regularly, local agricultural events and seasonal markets give you a chance to purchase directly from producers.

If you connect with a local ostrich producer who does not currently attend a market, ask whether they offer direct farm purchases or scheduled pickup points.

Restaurants Can Help You Find Local Sources

Restaurants that feature ostrich on their menu can also help you locate local supplies. While a restaurant will not typically sell raw meat directly to consumers, staff may be willing to share which local farm or specialty distributor supplies their kitchen.

Dining out is also a practical first step if you want to sample a cut like ostrich steak or filet before investing in several pounds of raw meat to cook at home.

How to Search for Ostrich Meat Near You

When searching online for local sources, use a few different search terms rather than relying on a single phrase. Effective searches include:

• “ostrich meat near me”
• “ostrich butcher near me”
• “exotic meat retailer near me”
• “ostrich farm [your state]”

Google Maps and local business directories are especially useful for spotting independent specialty butchers. Once you locate a potential store, call ahead to verify that ostrich meat is currently in stock before making the trip.

If your local search yields no results, it simply means there are no retail stockists nearby. In that case, ordering frozen cuts from a reputable online seller remains the most reliable route.

What to Look For Before You Buy Ostrich Meat

Buying ostrich meat is slightly different from buying conventional beef or chicken because there are fewer suppliers and less standardization in the retail market. A reputable seller should make it clear where the meat comes from, how it is handled, and what you are actually getting in the package.

Before placing an order, review these key factors to ensure you are getting a high-quality product.

Check the Inspection and Processing Information

For meat sold commercially in the US, inspection and processing information is a critical quality and safety consideration. Look for clear details regarding the inspection status of the product and where it was processed.

A reliable seller will state whether the meat has been processed through an approved facility. If a retailer provides little or no information about inspection, processing, or sourcing, it is best to contact them before ordering.

Know Where the Meat Comes From

A transparent seller should clearly state where the ostrich was raised or, at minimum, where the meat was sourced.

This transparency is especially useful when comparing farm-direct sellers with broad specialty retailers. Farm-direct purchases often provide more specific information about the individual producer, while larger retailers may source products from multiple regional farms.

Neither sourcing model is inherently superior, but clear origin details make it much easier to evaluate what you are buying.

Check How the Meat Is Shipped

Most ostrich meat purchased online is sold frozen and shipped in insulated packaging. Because specialty meat is highly perishable, the shipping method matters just as much as the product quality itself.

Before placing an order, confirm the following shipping details:

• Temperature state: Is the meat shipped fully frozen with dry ice or gel packs?
• Packaging type: What kind of insulated thermal container is used?
• Carrier and transit time: Which carrier handles the shipment, and how many days does transit take?
• Dispatch schedule: Is shipping limited to specific days of the week to prevent weekend warehouse delays?
• Guarantee policy: What procedure does the seller follow if a package arrives damaged or partially thawed?

A transparent shipping and freshness policy is essential when ordering high-value specialty products online.

Compare the Cut and Package Size

Avoid comparing ostrich products based on total package price alone. A $40 package may seem cheaper than a $50 package at first glance, but the higher-priced item might contain significantly more meat by weight.

Always check the price per pound and compare equivalent cuts. Filets, fan steaks, and ground ostrich carry different price points because premium tender muscle cuts naturally command higher market prices.

For a first order, ground ostrich or small individual steak packages offer a practical way to sample the meat without a major financial commitment.

Look for Clear Cut Descriptions

Ostrich muscle groups do not always use the exact same cut terminology as beef, and individual sellers may categorize their products differently. A helpful product description should specify the exact muscle or cut and outline recommended cooking techniques.

For instance, if you want a tender cut suitable for quick high-heat searing, focus on products specifically identified as filet, fan steak, or top loin rather than relying solely on generic labels like “steak.”

Check the Seller’s Return or Freshness Policy

Frozen food transit involves inherent logistics risks, and shipping delays can occasionally occur. Before ordering, check the seller’s explicit instructions for packages that arrive delayed, damaged, or thawed above safe temperatures.

A clear resolution policy demonstrates that the seller has established protocols for handling perishable food transit issues professionally.

Do Not Ignore Customer Reviews

Buyer reviews provide practical insights into actual shipping speeds, packaging durability, portion accuracy, and product condition upon arrival.

While reviews should not be your sole decision factor, a merchant combining detailed product descriptions, clear sourcing, transparent transit policies, and consistent buyer feedback is significantly safer to order from than a store offering only product photos and a checkout button.

Is Ostrich Meat Expensive?

Yes, ostrich meat is generally more expensive than conventional beef, pork, or chicken. The primary reason is production scale. Ostrich farming, harvesting, and USDA-inspected processing operate on a much smaller national volume than beef production, meaning farms and processors cannot leverage the same massive economies of scale.

Prices also depend heavily on the specific cut you select:

• Ground ostrich: Usually the most affordable option per pound.
• Steaks and roasts: Mid-tier pricing, ideal for everyday pan-searing or grilling.
• Filets and fan steaks: Premium pricing due to high demand and limited yield per bird.

When comparing prices across sellers, always evaluate the cost per pound rather than the total package price. A higher-priced package may actually be more economical if it contains a significantly larger net weight of meat.

If you want to understand the complete economic picture behind these price points, our detailed analysis on why ostrich meat is so expensive breaks down the feed costs, hatch rates, and processing economics in depth.

For a first purchase, ground ostrich offers a practical starting point if you want to sample the flavor profile without paying premium prices for high-end steaks.

Is Ostrich Meat Worth Buying?

Yes, ostrich meat is well worth buying if you are looking for an extremely lean red meat that offers a unique culinary alternative to traditional beef. Its mild, non-gamey flavor and fine muscle texture make it highly approachable for anyone who enjoys quality steak but wants a lower-fat option.

The primary trade-offs remain availability and cost. Ostrich is far less accessible than conventional meats, and ordering small quantities online can become expensive once cold-chain shipping fees are factored in.

Whether it is worth buying depends on your personal priorities:

• Worth it if: You enjoy trying high-protein alternative meats, prefer lean red meat, or want to experiment with gourmet recipes at home.
• Less practical if: You are searching for the most economical daily protein source or prefer heavily marbled fatty meats.

Because ostrich is exceptionally lean, cooking technique is crucial to prevent the meat from drying out. If you decide to prepare it at home, our step-by-step guide on how to cook ostrich meat outlines internal temperature targets and pan-searing methods for every cut.

For a comprehensive breakdown of its dietary profile, our overview of ostrich meat benefits details its protein density, low calorie count, and iron content.

What Is the Best Ostrich Meat to Buy for the First Time?

For a first-time purchase, ground ostrich or a small package of individual steaks is almost always the best option. These choices allow you to experience the taste and texture without committing a large budget to expensive bulk orders.

Why Start with Ground Ostrich?

Ground ostrich is extremely versatile and easy to prepare. You can seamlessly substitute it into everyday meals such as burgers, meatballs, tacos, and chili without adjusting traditional cooking habits.

Why Choose Steaks or Filets?

If your goal is to experience ostrich as a premium whole-muscle cut, opt for a small pack of steaks or fan filets. These cuts cook quickly over high heat and provide the closest experience to a traditional beef tenderloin.

If you are placing your first online order, always review the net package weight, shipping minimums, and freezer storage recommendations before checking out. Starting with a modest trial order is the most practical way to confirm you enjoy the meat before stocking your freezer with larger bundles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Ostrich Meat

Buying ostrich meat takes a little more effort than buying beef or chicken, but it does not have to be complicated. For most shoppers, an established online seller is the simplest option because you can compare cuts, prices, package sizes, and shipping policies from home.

If you prefer to buy locally, start with specialty butchers, exotic meat shops, gourmet markets, and ostrich farms in your area. Even when a store does not have ostrich in stock, asking whether it can be special-ordered may open up another option.

The most important thing is to look beyond the price tag. Check the seller’s sourcing and inspection information, compare the price per pound, understand how the meat will be shipped, and make sure you know which cut you are buying.

Once you have found a reliable source, ostrich meat can be an exceptional alternative to conventional red meat.