Bison meat is one of the leanest animal proteins available, but for a lot of us "lean" doesn't matter. What does matter is the type of fats and vitamins. The micronutrient profile is why bison meat is a superior meat.
Bison Meat Questions Answered
What's so great about bison meat?
Bison are wild animals. Ranchers have done their best to maintain diversity in the genetics and not selectively breed. Therefore, there are no nutritional compromises in return for growth rate or size. Bison are treated as wild and given lots of room to roam. Therefore, they are exposed to less stresses. Bison are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, or forced-grain. Federal law prohibits the use of growth hormones in bison.
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Heart Healthy. Bison meat is some of the leanest, healthiest meat (see below). As a proven food source that has been around since the Ice Age, bison meat has high omega 3 to omega 6 ratio and rich in iron and protein when compared ounce to ounce with grass fed beef. Studies have shown inflammation markers do not spike after consumption of bison as they do after other red meat.
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Rich in Flavor. Bison meat is a sweet juicy protein source, not greasy or gamey.
Nutrient Rich. With zinc for immunity support, protein for muscle growth, vitamin B for cognitive function, and selenium which acts as an antioxidant.
Bison meat has high conjugated linoleic acid, which is being studied for its part in reducing inflammation, increasing lean muscle mass, blood sugar control, and improved immune function.
Bison is a keystone species to the prairie and therefore a sustainable, regenerative food source!
Why Does Bison Meat Cost More?
Bison are wild animals. Bison are not domesticated and require special fencing and care.
Percent bison meat that makes up the market is 0.2% that of beef. There are less ranches and less animals.
**It takes 24-30 months for bison to be prime and ready for slaughter compared to the 12-18 months needed for cattle.**
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Bison require lots of room to roam and native prairie grass to eat.
COOK LOW AND SLOW.
​Bison meat is an easy substitute for any beef recipe. It's tender, juicy, and flavorful. However, bison meat is a lean meat. Care should be taken to keep moisture in. Cook meat at a lower temperature to avoid dry, tough meat. Slow cook using crock pots, marinades, and Sous vide methods for juicy, tender roasts and steaks. A meat thermometer is your friend. Check out the recipes on a few tips for cooking steaks, roasts, and brisket.
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MINIMAL "BURGER SHRINKAGE"
This lean, nutrient-dense meat will become a favorite for burgers and roasts. Because there is little fat, the size of your burger will stay that happy "bun-size" it started out as in the pan. Your pot roast will not melt away leaving you wondering where your meat went. It's filling and nutritious.
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Cooking with Bison Meat
LIVE wild. EAT wild. EAT bison.