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Cooking Bison
Bison Cooking 101
Individual cuts of bison are identical to beef, except for color. Prior to
cooking, bison is a deeper red. This is due to the fact that bison does not
marble (produce internal streaks of fat) like beef. Marbling slows down the
cooking process because the fat acts as an insulator - heat must first
penetrate this insulation before the cooking process can begin.
Since bison lacks marbling, the meat has a tendency to cook more rapidly.
You should cook your meat at lower temperature and, generally for less time
than the corresponding cut of beef, to guarantee that you do not overcook
bison. Medium heat is recommended for grilling.
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Use bison for any of your favorite beef recipes. Just remember a few basic
tips:
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When broiling bison move your broiler rack away from the heat about a notch
lower from where you normally broil your beef steaks. Check your steaks a few
minutes sooner than you normally would |
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If you normally cook your roast beef at 325°F, turn your temperature down to
around 275°F for bison. Plan on the roast being done in about the same amount
of time as with a comparable sized beef roast. To ensure the temperature you
prefer, we recommend using a meat thermometer indicating internal temperature |
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Ground bison cooks faster than ground beef, so precautions must be taken not
to dry out the meat. Again, lower the temperature and shorten the cook time
slightly, as a rule. There is very little shrinkage with ground bison |
Bison recipes
Grilled Bison Steak
Bison Burger
Bison Blue Cheese Burger
Bison Kabobs
Bison Chili
Bison Fajitas
Bison Roast in Foil
Bison Pot Roast
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| Hover over a recipe to see more
information! |

Rub your favorite 6 oz. cut of Bison steak with a combination of a little
garlic salt, cooking oil, and lemon pepper. Grill steaks 4-6 inches above
medium hot coals (325 degrees) for the following times, depending on thickness:
1" thick - Rare: 6 - 8 min. Medium: 8 - 10 min.
1 1/2" thick - Rare: 8 - 10 min. Medium: 10 - 12 min.
2" thick - Rare: 10 - 12 min. Medium 14 - 18 min.
Recommended cuts for grilling: rib-eye, T-bone, fillet/tenderloin, and NY or
KC Strip
Use tongs for turning to keep the steak’s wonderful juices inside.
Bison steaks taste best when grilled to rare or medium (still pink in the
center)

1 pound ground bison
4 burger buns, split and toasted
Salt and pepper
Shape ground bison into four 1/2 inch thick patties. Grill covered 4-6 inches
above medium hot coals (325 degrees), turning once, just until the pink has
disappeared. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Tuck into a toasted bun, top
with your favorite condiments and enjoy. Serves 4.

1 1/2 lbs. ground bison
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
2 Tbs. roasted and chopped shallots and garlic
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
splash extra virgin olive oil
Combine all ingredients and form 6 patties adding approximately 1 teaspoon of
blue cheese into the center of each patty. Grill to desired temperature.
Garnish:
2 sliced red onions drizzled with olive oil and vinegar, grilled
until tender
2 bulbs of fennel, sliced and sautéed until tender
Toss the onions and fennel together and place on bison burger
Servings: 6
Recipe courtesy of Kathy Cary, owner of Lilly’s in
Louisville, KY

1 pound Bison Sirloin
2 medium zucchini or yellow squash
1 large red bell pepper
1 large onion, quartered
8 mushrooms
8 cherry tomatoes
Marinade:
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 cup dry white
wine 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cut bison sirloin into 1 1/2 inch cubes and place in a glass bowl. Combine
marinade ingredients and pour over cubed Bison. Cover bowl with plastic wrap
and marinate refrigerated for 8-24 hours. Or, place cubed Bison and marinade in
a zippered plastic bag to marinate. Cut squash and red bell pepper into 1/2
inch slices. Alternate meat, squash, pepper, onion and mushrooms on each of 8
skewers, ending each skewer with a cherry tomato. Grill covered 4-6 inches
above medium hot coals for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with
the remaining marinade mixture. Serve on a bed of rice. Serves 4.

1 pound Ground Bison
1 medium onion, chopped
1 15oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 16oz. cans peeled tomatoes
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
In a non-stick skillet, saute the Ground Bison and onion until the meat is
browned and the onion is tender. Add the pinto beans, tomatoes, water and
seasonings. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, adding more water if chili becomes too
thick. Add chopped cilantro and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Spoon into
bowls and garnish with grated cheese or diced jalapeno peppers. Serves 4.

1 lb. bison skirt, flank or round steak (cut 1/2 inch thick slices)
Marinade:
Juice of 2-3 limes
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. pepper (or buy fajita marinade at your local grocer)
Garnish:
1 large tomato, chopped 3 green onions, chopped 1 large green pepper,
sliced Guacamole Sour cream Picante sauce 4 flour or corn tortillas, warmed
Pound meat into 1/2 inch thickness if necessary. Sprinkle both sides of steak
with lime juice, garlic salt, pepper and place steak slices in plastic bag. Tie
bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6-8 hours. Drain marinade and broil
meat over medium high mesquite coals 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve in warmed
flour or corn tortillas. Add garnishes as desired.
3-4 lb. roast
1/2 envelope dry onion soup mix
Preheat oven to 275°F. Place roast on an ample piece of heavy-duty aluminum
foil. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix over the meat. Bring edges of foil together,
add one cup water, and seal tightly.
Place in shallow roasting pan and bake at 275°F for 2 to 4 hours or until
internal temperature reaches 140°F (rare) to 170°F (medium). 1/2 hour before
completion, 1/2 cup of wine may be added for a special flavor. Save the juices
and thicken for gravy.
3 lb. bison roast
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
6 peppercorns
4 carrots, sliced
6 Spanish onions
6 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup apple juice
1 cup water
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
Pre-heat oven to 300°F. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bison
roast and brown well on all sides. Add onions, carrots, celery, bay leaf, salt,
pepper, apple juice, and water. Cover and place in preheated oven for one hour.
Remove from oven, add potatoes. Cover and return to oven for one more hour or
until potatoes are fork tender. Thicken gravy with cornstarch.
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Content adapted from National Bison
Association and The Great American Buffalo Cookbook, available at
www.bisoncentral.com.
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