February 09, 2016
Is Bison Meat Better Than Beef?

Is Bison Meat Better Than Beef?

by Berkeley Wellness  |  

Just a decade ago buffalo (technically bison) meat sounded pretty exotic. Today, it’s fairly easy to find at natural foods stores, farmers’ markets and some supermarkets. There are even buffalo-themed restaurants and cookbooks. But is bison meat—America’s “original red meat”—really so much better than beef, as claimed?

At the ranch






In the kitchen

Because bison meat is so lean, it cooks quickly and becomes tough if you cook it too long or at too high a temperature. Chefs often recommend cooking steaks to no more than medium-done. To keep moisture in, sear with a little vegetable oil over high heat and then cook slowly at reduced heat. You can grill or broil chops and steaks because they’re more tender. Moist, slow cooking is best for less tender cuts such as chuck. Ground meat patties should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F—the point where the pink just starts to disappear. Buffalo is a good substitute for beef in most recipes—as long as you don’t overcook it.

Can’t find bison at your market? BisonCentral.com is a source for locally raised bison and online retailers. Several producers supply exclusively grass-fed products.