How to Cook Bison

Ready to serve up a delicious meal using bison? We have tips for the perfect dish.

There is no reason to be buffaloed when cooking with bison. As many chefs will attest, bison is a delicious and healthy substitute in any recipe that calls for beef.

Intro to Bison Meat:

Names for individual cuts of bison are identical to beef.
Bison can appear to be a deeper red due to the fact that bison has lower fat content, thus less marbling than beef, and higher iron content
Because bison is lean, it will cook quickly. Watch internal temperature and cooking time to avoid overcooking.

Looking to try bison? Click here for introductory recipes. Looking for something different? Try these unique recipes.

Tips for Ground Bison Meat:

Ground bison meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160°F and the juices should be clear, not red.
Ground bison is leaner in general. Check the package if purchasing bison retail. You can ask your meat processor for the fat percentage you prefer if you purchase bison in bulk.

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Tips for Bison Steaks:

Steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145° F (medium rare) or 160°F (medium). If oven broiling, move your broiler rack away from the heat about a notch lower than where you normally broil beef steaks.
Expect a buffalo steak to cook one-third faster than a beef steak.
It is not recommended to cook buffalo meat past medium. If you prefer your steak to this degree of doneness, be aware that your buffalo steak may lose some of its desirable attributes.

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Tips for Bison Roasts:

Roasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145° F (medium rare) or 160°F (medium).
Turn your oven temperature to around 275°F for bison. Plan on the roast being done in about the same amount of time as with a comparable size beef roast.
We recommend using a meat thermometer indicating the internal temperature of 145° for medium rare.

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I joined the NBA to primarily educate myself about bison but I quickly learned I now had a ready resource of experienced bison ranchers willing to help an novice rancher achieve my goals.

– Chris Silver, Gold Coast Bison

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