What is the difference when cooking bison compared to beef

June 21st, 2011

Question: What is the difference when cooking bison compared to beef? Thanks!

-    From Judy in Cleveland, Ohio.

Answer:

Hi Judy,

Great question! Even though you can really use bison to replace beef in almost any recipe, there is a difference in how you prepare it. Remember that since bison is leaner (and healthier!) it cooks quicker and you are able to cook at a lower temperature.

Buffalo/Bison steaks and burgers are at their very best when done rare or medium (with a pink center). Your meat thermometer should reach 135°F (57ºC) for rare, 145°F (62ºC) for medium rare, or 155° F for medium.

If you oven broil your buffalo/bison, try moving the oven rack a notch lower than you normally would and check on their progress a few minutes sooner than you normally would. You’ll be rewarded with a juicier piece of meat.

If you grill your buffalo/bison, we suggest doing so over medium hot coals at a distance of from four to six inches. Again, a little extra care will reward you with a much juicer meal.

When roasting buffalo/bison, we suggest that you follow the creed “lower and slower.” Lower your oven temperature to cook the meat more slowly. It will shrink less, thereby retaining more natural juice. To be sure that it is done to your liking, we suggest using a meat thermometer – it’s an inexpensive reusable insurance policy.

The rich red color of the buffalo/bison meat is indicative of the higher levels of iron and the lack of marbling (fat). Both of these are GOOD things and are probably among the reasons that you purchased buffalo/bison meat in the first place.

We recommend using more tender cuts of bison meat such as rib-eyes, sirloins and New Your strips when grilling or broiling. Roasts, steaks and chops are better for oven broils and roasting.

Check out a few of our other cooking tips!


Laurie’s Bison Dirty Rice Crock Pot Recipe

May 13th, 2011

We  love getting bison recipes from our customers! Check this one out from Laurie, a wonderful Facebook fan of ours. This recipe is perfect to throw together quickly for a busy family on the go. Enjoy!

Laurie’s Dirty Rice with Bison     

Ingredients:
1 pound of buffalo ground beef
1 can of low sodium beef broth
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of lima beans
1 package of Zartaran’s low sodium dirty rice

Directions – Straight from Laurie:
I put a lb of ground buffalo in the crock pot add a can of low sodium beef broth, a can of diced tomatoes, and a can of lima beans. Letting it cook all day on low. An hour before dinner I add a can of sweet corn and a package of Zartaran’s low sodium Dirty Rice. Except for breaking up the buffalo meat a few times it will pretty much cooks itself. And is even better tasting when reheated.

Please share your recipes with us and our customers! Contact us or find us on Facebook!


Summer Bison Appetizer – Bison Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

May 1st, 2011

Summer means picnics, family reunions and good times eating and drinking with friends. These gatherings are the perfect way to share some of your favorite recipes and introduce others to new foods and try some new things on your own too!

One of our favorite bison appetizers is bison bacon wrapped shrimp. This gives the traditional bacon wrapped shrimp an extra kick of deliciousness. Also try the marinade below, but we all know that the bison bacon is the star of this dish. Fun bison appetizers are a really great way to start talking about and sharing bison recipes.

Bison Bacon Wrapped Shrimp & Marinade

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. 21-24 Shrimp-uncooked-peeled and Tooth picks or Kebab skewers (don’t forget to soak in water if using bamboo)
  • 1/4 lb. Bison Bacon cut into 1/2″ wide strips x 2″ long.

Marinade and Finish Sauce Marinade

  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil 2 T. Soy Sauce
  • 1 T. Sherry Vinegar 1/4 cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (I use
  • Juice of 1 Orange & Zest Mae Ploy brand)
  • 1 T. Minced Garlic 1/4 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes

Preparation:
Combine the first eight ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture over a flour tortilla. Then, place a thin layer of the pastrami over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Roll up tightly and secure with toothpicks if necessary. Then repeat with the remaining cream cheese mixture and tortillas. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove toothpicks and cut into 3/4 inch slices. Makes 4-5 dozen.

What are some of your favorite bison appetizers to serve in the summer?


Bison Bratwurst

March 19th, 2011

Fire up your grill and prepare your Bison Bratwurst. Hopefully the winter is almost behind us all. Barbecue guilt free with Bison Bratwurst!  Or try our delicious recipe below by simmering for some of the juiciest, tastiest bratwurst you will ever serve.

Bison Bratwurst

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. Bison bratwurst
  • 2 med. apples, cut into wedges
  • 1 T. defatted chicken broth
  • 4 med. potatoes, cut in half
  • 1 med. onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 c. apple juice
  • 1 2-lb. bag sauerkraut, drained

Preparation:

Brown sausage with broth in a large nonstick skillet. Arrange onion, sauerkraut, apples and potatoes around sausage. Top with apple juice; salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer over low heat stirring once, for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes test done with fork. Serves 4.

How did you like this recipe? Or how do you prepare your Bison Bratwurst?


Corned Bison for St. Patrick’s Day

March 17th, 2011

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and celebrate your health by serving lean Corned Bison instead of beef. A little kraut, a little dressing, a couple slices of rye…this is a truly wonderful treat. Throw in your traditional potatoes, carrots and cabbage and you will have yourself a tasty St. Patrick’s Day feast!

corned bison

AND Reuben sandwiches are a must have for using up your St. Patrick’s Day Corned Bison leftovers. Use it the same way that you would use corned beef. The possibilities are endless. Of course, you have the added benefits of bison – the healthy alternative to beef.

Everyone have a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day and remember that you can make a Corned Bison feast anytime of the year.