When purchasing bison meat, don't be misled by advertising for buffalo. Although bison and buffalo are one and the same, bison are found in North America and buffalo are from Asia and Africa.
The skeletal structure of buffalo lack the characteristic hump of the bison. What most people call "buffalo" in America are actually bison. True buffalo are not native to America. The "American Buffalo" are all from the genus, "Bison'.
Bison Meat Advantages
- high in iron
- high in protein
- less calories, fat and sodium than chicken
- less fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than beef
- less calories, fat, saturated fat than salmon
What Bison Tastes Like
Bison tastes like gourmet beef, tender and yet low-fat. When eating bison, you get more protein and nutrients with less calories and less fat. Bison is a very dense meat which satisfies with less.
Bison is often prescribed by physicians to patients who need to limit their fat intake.
Cooking Tips for Bison Steaks
Similar to beef, bison needs to be cooked differently than beef. Because of the lack of marbling (white streaks of fat), bison should be cooked at a lower temperature than normally used for beef.
Fat acts as an insulator causing most meats to take longer to cook. This lack of fat also accounts for the deep red color of the meat.
Cook bison rare to medium for best flavor. If you overcook it, you will experience a loss of juiciness and tenderness, similar to beef.
Grill Bison Burgers or Steaks
Don't put bison on the open flame, it will turn hard and lose its tenderness. The best grilling technique is the indirect method. Heat one side on high for 5-10 minutes and then reduce the flame to med-high.
Place steak or burgers on the cool side of the grill.
Bison Crock Pot Cooking
This is really the best for bison. Slow-cooked meat is tender and moist. Use a low setting. Enjoy the flavor.
Bison Meat Sales
Try High Plains Bison online ordering and receive 6 free gourmet burgers per $100 order. High Plains Bison offers videos, recipes, and the history of why bison is best on its website. For more information on nutritional benefits, check out the benefit chart on the High Plains Bison website.
Bison Recipes
Peter J. Duffin, avid promoter of naturally raised, grass-fed North American bison, offers tips on his favorite BBQ Grilled Bison steak.
His tips are also good for the following steaks:
- NY strip loin
- Bone-In Rib
- Rib-Eye
- T Bone
- Tenderloin
Peter requires the grill temperature to be set in the range of 475° to 500° F.
- Lightly brush steaks with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Sear steaks for two minutes with the lid closed.
- Turn steaks over and sear for two more minutes.
- Move steaks to unheated side of grill. Grill 5 minutes per side for a rare steak (1-1/2 inches thick).
For more bison recipes, check Montana Buffalo Meat Recipes.
For those of you who love beef but need to cut back on fat and cholesterol, bison is the perfect substitute. With its tender meat and great flavor, one need never go back to beef again. Check in your local grocery for bison and buffalo meats, available now.
Vicki F. Chavis - Growing up in Asia, Europe and North America left Vicki with a love of cuisine, history, language, fashion and travel. Today she writes on ...
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