dark meat

American  

noun

1. meat that is dark in appearance after cooking, especially a leg or thigh of chicken or turkey (distinguished from white meat).

2. Slang: Vulgar. a Black person, considered as a sexual partner.

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Etymology

Origin of dark meat

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Compare meaning

How does dark-meat compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dark meat vs. light meat

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dark meat

China is an important export market for U.S. beef and poultry, particularly for products such as chicken feet and dark meat that are less popular with U.S. consumers.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

These Flintstones-scale legs from Dallas, with a golden crust and tender smoked dark meat, come in packs from 5 to 15.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 15, 2025

They look like a cross between an otter and a gopher but they taste something like a rabbit or dark meat from turkey.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2025

“You’re not going to get a great slice of dark meat to go on a sandwich. But with the white meat, you get that.”

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2023

Real careful, I lay the dark meat in the pan.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett