Abstract Strong Goss texture ({1 1 0}〈0 0 1〉) in Fe81Ga19 thin sheet is successfully produced by secondary recrystallization process based on the precise control of inhibitor and primary recrystallization texture. Nanometer-sized sulfides of MnS and Cu2S are dispersedly precipitated during hot rolling as inhibitors for secondary recrystallization. Primary recrystallization texture is characteristic of weak Goss and strong γ textures distributed through sheet thickness by appropriate rolling and annealing schedule. The composite nanometer-sized inhibitors accompanied with the primary recrystallization texture can provide a well-matched pinning effect on normal grain growth of matrix grains and induce abnormal grain growth of exact Goss grains in final annealing process. The magnetostriction coefficient as high as 285 ppm is obtained in Fe81Ga19 sheet after complete secondary recrystallization. Thus, an efficient method is proposed for developing sharp Goss texture and upgrading magnetostriction coefficient in Fe-Ga sheet.