This week we're bringing you a series of recipes and cooking lessons revolving, for the most part, around meat in its many forms. This time of year tends to be meat-heavy (hello holiday roasts!). We'll also, though, look at some of our favorite meat alternatives, and terrific vegetarian mains for any time of year, but especially for big celebratory dinners. But first — we're curious about our readers' meat-eating ways. Do you eat a lot of beef? Chicken? A mix? Or are you a vegetarian? Tell us in our survey below — and we'd love to hear from you in the comments, too!
(Images: Emma Christensen & Anjali Prasertong)

Elizabeth Apron fro...

I eat more eggs than any other (animal) protein. I often eat them for dinner when I'm on my own a few times per week. We typically eat chicken and fish/seafood once a week each and meatless meals the rest of the time.
None!
Vegan for life! :D
I generally only eat meat once or twice per week, and it's usually pork. Since moving to the UK, I've discovered pork that actually tastes like pork. It's pretty awesome. You can't get good seafood where I live though, which is pretty depressing, considering that I live an hour from the coast.
But I only eat chicken the most because our cook (actually, Her Majesty my mother :p) dislikes all other kinds of meat. Hmpffffff. :(
If I could have it my way, I'd have a balanced mix of meats, with some meat-free meals too! But for Christmas, pork is my favorite! Ham, pork knuckles, roast pork...
Since reading how hard it is to get an important type of Omega 3, I've used salmon as a main component of my meal several times a week. Some evidence you can get something similar from algae but not from flax and walnuts as so many have erroneously pointed out. Sad but true; I still try to eat as little as possible. Has made a huge difference in my mood and health.
We eat a lot of beef, but only because we get 1/4 of a grass fed cow every year; it's cheaper, the meat's leaner and it tastes amazing!
I eat chicken about twice a week because I get half a rotisserie chicken at whole foods. Otherwise usually grass-fed meat once a week or week and half and fish once a week. The other days I eat quinoa or lentils :-)
Typically, chicken or pork in my household, though we do go through bouts of "other" just to keep ourselves from burning out on the "white meats."
Lately I have been eating a lot of lamb - I love the flavor and the versatility. If you've never tried lamb burgers, this is your change! Lamb Burgers with Pesto Recipe http://www.snackinginthekitchen.com/2012/07/how-to-make-lamb-burgers-with-pesto-at.html
We eat a lot of chicken, but pork tends to reign supreme because ham, bacon, bacon fat, and sausages factor in in addition to things like pork loin and roast pork.
The betrothed loves beef, so I buy that from time to time as well. Easier now that we have pastured local beef at the grocery store.
Chicken and fish are not meat.
Tofu and soy based meats only please....
We eat chicken a lot, with beef coming in at a close second. I do the cooking at home, therefore usually I decide. I've stopped eating pork a couple of months ago due to the fact that I develop bad skin. I still miss it though, especially bacon.
Depends on your definition though. When you see meat as 'animal flesh', chicken and fish are meat.
My husband has food aversions that border on an eating disorder - and I am not saying that lightly or as a joke. He can't stand the texture of anything out of a crockpot, doesn't like pork unless it is practically burned, can't eat dark meat because it is "slimy" (I'm pretty sure that is considered "moist" in most circles...), can't eat eggs unless they are scrambled and broken into tiny pieces.
As a result, we cook alot with chicken breasts, or I roast whole chicken, and loose ground beef (like in tacos or spaghetti), or I make a meatless pasta dish of some sort. Fortunately, he works until after dinner usually 3 days a week, so we get in some fish, fritattas, slow-cooked pot roasts, braised chicken thighs, etc., while he eats the frozen burritos I made him over the weekend ;)
@JudiAU: Um...what?
I think Judi meant that in a meat vs. poultry vs. fish sense. I say that only because I've noticed that traditional cookbooks sometimes divide things up that way. To most people, "meat" encompasses all of the above, but I guess if you're being technical (or traditional) about it, it might not include chicken or fish.
Or if you're the lady (Velma?) in My Big Fat Greek Wedding: "You don't eat meat? Okay, I make lamb!"
Mostly chicken because it's cheap and there are SO many ways to cook it, but also a fair amount of pork and some beef. We both loathe fish, so none of that. (When we can get lamb at a reasonable price we're all over that like white on rice...)
We don't eat a lot of meat, but when I sit down and really think about it, it's mostly pork. Generally, something like a couple ounces of ground pork added to stir fries, or a little bit of diced up bacon or pancetta or sausage. (This doesn't seem too healthy, but at least we generally only eat meat a couple times a week, and typically only use a little at a time...)
I make one chicken, one pork, one fish and one beef meal/week. The rest of the week is veggie/leftovers. Keeps the meat-eater/lover happy. ;)
When I lived on the West Coast (Seattle), DEFINITELY fish. Now that I'm in Wisconsin? Chicken.
We occasionally eat fish, but usually we don't eat any meat. So fish and vegetarian recipes would be appreciated.
I eat more chicken than any other meat, but I prefer beef to any other meat. I feel like there are more options for chicken; if I could find more healthy beef recipes I would probably eat it more often than chicken.
You don't say? What plant does chicken grow from?
Exactly! In the context of this article, the intended meaning is clearly animal flesh.
Isn't it exhausting to be contrary for contrary's sake, Judi?
Ahhh, I see. I guess I haven't purchased any meat inclusive cookbooks in a while. I hadn't really noticed.
Also, that quote is a running joke with me and my friends- love it! :)
So far, 20% of kitchn readers are vegetarian/vegan :D
It's chicken and fish for me. I only eat pork when it's in bacon form. (Who can resist bacon, right?)