Lamb and mutton are traditional staples in Europe, as well as goat and kid to a lesser degree. In the US, there was plentiful land for grazing cattle, and beef

Lamb and mutton are traditional staples in Europe, as well as goat and kid to a lesser degree. In the US, there was plentiful land for grazing cattle, and beef was considered more prestigious than mutton in England, so that's what they settlers focused on. At this point the flavor of lamb [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexanoic_acid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexanoic_acid etc.] is considered unpalatable by many in the US and most recipes are designed to minimize gaminess. Supermarkets like Safeway usually have no goat meat but small amounts of lamb. I think that has more to do with it than any demonic symbolism.