Have you wanted to try bison meat but are a little hesitant or you're just looking for a couple extra tips? Well, we've got your back. Here are a couple frequently asked questions that we would like to officially answer.
What does bison meat taste like?
The taste of bison is very similar to beef, just slightly sweeter and richer in flavour. It does not taste gamey and there is no aftertaste like some game animals. We believe that bison and beef have a similar enough flavour that it doesn’t take an adventurous palate to give it a try. In fact, depending on the recipe, it might be difficult to taste the difference. That's why bison is a great, healthy substitution in a beef recipe!
Why eat bison?
There are significant health benefits to bison. It is very high in protein, fewer calories and half the fat when compared to beef! See our Bison Nutrition information page to learn more.
What is the best cut of bison?
This is a difficult question to answer for two reasons: 1. It depends on what you like and 2. There are too many great cuts to choose just one from!
- Our two most popular options are steaks and patties. These are popular grilling cuts and are easy to cook. We have a recipe for cooking steaks in store and on our blog!
- The best non-traditional cuts are short ribs and shank. The meat is very tender and when slow cooked/braised the meat falls off the bone for delicious bison meat.
Ultimately, what you’ll consider the best cuts of bison will come down to your personal preference. But what you have found you enjoy in beef will likely carry over to bison.
What temperature do you cook bison to?
For the best texture and taste, we recommend you cook your bison to medium-rare. Of course, different recipes/cuts will call for different methods of cooking, but these guidelines will help you.
1. Less Time, Less Heat: Since bison is leaner than beef, it takes less time and lower temperatures to cook. It is generally said to do 1/3 less time than cooking beef.
2. Use a Meat Thermometer: Depending on how you like your meat, aim for these temperatures:
Rare: 121-130°F, Medium Rare: 130-135°F, Medium: 140-145°F
3. Seasoning: Feel free to keep it simple! Bison doesn’t need lots of extra ingredients to make it tasty.
4. Wait a moment: When your meat is done on the grill or in the oven let it stand for 5-10 minutes to let the juices seal in. Also note that the temperature will rise a few degrees while resting so remember to take that into account as you use your meat thermometer.
How do I cook a bison roast?
We have a roast recipe on our Instagram “Recipe” Highlight @copperflatsbisonco. But, just quickly, when cooking a roast we recommend the following tips:
1. Thaw the roast to room temperature before cooking.
2. Sear the roast. This can be done in the oven, on the stove top or grill. The roast should be browned on all sides but not cooked.
3. Cook the roast on low. If cooking in the oven set the oven cooking temp to 275°F.
4. Use a meat thermometer and cook the roast to a temperature of about 135°F-140°F and remember to let it rest before serving. During this resting time the temperature will also continue to rise.
Hope these tips and answers help you! If you have any more questions please feel free to ask! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook or contact us by email!
Thank you,
David and Lia
Copper Flats Bison Co.