Provenza, F., et al., “Is Grassfed Meat and Dairy Better for Human and Environmental Health?” Frontiers in Nutrition, 2019; 6:26; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6434678/#!po=42.0455, last accessed January 20, 2020. If you’re looking for an alternative to a beef burger, bison is definitely worth a try. Other bison cuts have 4 to 9 grams of fat and 165 to 190 calories, comparable to some lean beef cuts; ground bison meat can have 15 grams of fat and 240 calories in 3.5 ounces. It was so lean, so finely marbled—and yet much more tender, and softer, than beef. Beef: What’s the Difference?” Healthline, July 17, 2019; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bison-vs-beef#similarities, last accessed January 30, 2020. The bison tenderloin had a more pleasing texture and better "mouth feel" than the beef tenderloin. Some differences between them include texture, farming methods, and leanness. Both are high-quality red meats that differ in taste and nutritional value. Look for bison on the menu at: Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. In fact, some people claim they can’t taste a difference between bison and beef, while others claim that bison has the same beefy flavor, but with what is described as a “cleaner” taste. Ribeye steaks are typically a more fatty cut of steak which can add a lot of richness. The Best New Rifles of 2021. Then add bison and mix until just combined. And, though bison are pasture-raised for the majority of their lives, neither bison or beef have a gamey, wild feel. Modern beef farming tactics involve feeding cattle high-calorie grains (corn, etc.) Latest. Ground bison: Ground bison should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 F and juices should be clear, not red. Guns. 1 decade ago. Compared to beef, bison is lighter, coarser, and tastes slightly sweeter. Boonsboro; call 301-797-2476. Protein plays a major role in tissue growth and hormone production. https://www.foodsforbetterhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Lecompte_bisonvsbeef_270120-150x80.jpg. There are significant health benefits to bison. That doesn't mean it's not tasty. The bison steaks had a cleaner, far less greasy flavor than the beef. But in a few of the bison samples, tasters noticed a slight liver or organ taste or a slightly sour or metallic taste. All meat -- ground patties, steaks and roasts -- is sold vacuum-packed and frozen. Woodbine; call 410-442-1791. Iron helps to form red blood cells, which transport oxygenated blood throughout your body. Ever torn between ordering a bison burger and a beef burger? Health Benefits and Side Effects…, Top 20 Antihistamine Foods that Help Fight Inflammation. It's also denser and lower in fat, so there's not the same juiciness one might get from a hamburger or ribeye. Potential health implications for humans may be antibiotic resistance and higher omega-6 intake. Many of us have been there. As with individual cuts of beef, bison is just another way to enjoy a nice piece of steak, cooked to perfection. While the onion cooks, mix together breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper in a large bowl. The bison meat doesn’t veer away that far from other red meats. We agreed that the bison tasted sweeter and more tender than the beef burger, as well as smokier somehow. Bison roasts and steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F for medium rare and 160 F for medium. Rib eye steaks are $13.75 per pound. )” Dr. Axe, November 10, 2018; https://draxe.com/nutrition/bison-meat/, last accessed January 20, 2020. July 7, 2009. So are bison better for the environment? It has a coarser texture and a slightly sweeter flavour. They help produce energy, improve brain function, promote cell healthy and help oxygenate blood. However, let’s go ahead and take a look at how they compare nutritionally among themselves. Bison and beef are both forms of red meat. Tatonka Acres Bison Ranch Mark and Billie Jo Sellers call their business Buffalo Billie's Bison Meat. It contains 1.8 grams of fat, compared with 8.7 in the beef. Bison is a good substitute for beef in most recipes—as long as you don’t overcook it. Even for its lack of marbling, the bison was very tender both to the knife and to the bite. With both animals, it largely depends on what they have been eating. Sauté onion until it’s golden brown and soft, for about 10 minutes. The two are simply too similar to declare that one offers benefits the other does not. Or order by mail. Below we examine the benefits of each based on their nutritional content. Everyone seems to agree that it tastes like beef. Sales by appointment and by mail. Most eaters find bison to be a bit grassier than beef thanks to the hay and grass diet the free-range animals eat. Bison meat is also promoted as a good source of omega-3 fats. Some cuts or beef, for example, can be leaner. The chart below compares Ground Burger for each of the three meats we carry: Elk, Grass-Fed Organic B… Both varieties can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation in unprocessed forms. In this video, we'll cook two Ribeye Steaks - one is a North American Bison Steak and the other is USDA Prime Beef Steak. Therefore Saylor pan-seared the bison, at the same temperature, for approximately 2 1/2 minutes on each side. All health perks aside, what stuck with me most about the bison was its texture and flavor. However, there is not sufficient evidence to suggest serious health implications of eating moderate amounts of grain-fed, unprocessed beef. Bison and beef are both forms of red meat. With your first bison burger, you’ll probably notice that it’s a little bit richer in flavor and that it doesn’t have that grainy texture or taste that beef can sometimes have (something that you’ll really notice once you … Levy, J., “6 Reasons to Try Bison Meat Now (It’s Lean! Locally raised bison is also available at the following farms. The bison steaks had a cleaner, far less greasy flavor than the beef. Rather, the bison was slightly sweet. It helps maintain muscle, which is extremely important in preventing conditions like sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and maintaining independent functionality. The bison is also rich in protein and low in cholesterol. Bison meat is better for you than beef as is has a lower fat content because bison don't fatten up without genetic alteration so it is a little drier but it tastes better even though it has lower fat. Regardless, it has a fuller and sweeter taste compared to other meats. There is no aftertaste like some game animals such as moose. What is the difference? Currently, all bison meat is free of antibiotics and added hormones, as per federal regulations. Oven temperature should be around 275 F. Ground bison cooked to medium rare is best for burgers. Bison Meat vs. Bison will have less fat than similar cuts of beef, which gives it a lower calorie count per serving. The filet mignon is the most tender bison steak, the ribeye has the most marbling, the top sirloin is naturally leaner, etc. There was what I would call a grass fed flavor (mostly with the brisket and the ribs) but with the ground bison I could barely discern a difference from beef. So for those watching calories, bison may be the better choice. However, its meat has a lighter flavor and tastes … Both options are clearly great sources of a variety of nutrients and relatively similar in what they provide. It looks like the beef ribeye has a slightly better crust on it than the bison. It has been found that bison meat is 91% fat-free. The medium-rare steaks rested, after cooking, for five to seven minutes. For healthy individuals with no special caloric needs, from a nutritional standpoint, not really. As similar as these meats are, there are some major differences. The North American bison has experienced a surge in popularity due to claims of its leaner, lower-calorie meat and environmental sustainability compared to beef cattle. Nutrition Facts & Health Benefits, The 7 Healthiest Nuts to Include in Your Diet, Flat Tummy Water: Benefits, Side Effects & Nutrition Facts, Plantain vs. Banana: Difference in Nutrition and Health Benefits, Is it Wise to Drink Lemon Water before Bed? My husband and I each had half a beef burger and half a bison burger. The taste of bison is very similar taste to beef. Add oil to a frying pan, and heat over medium heat. The differences between those steaks are similar, as well. All rights reserved. Before planning a trip call ahead for availability. It is lower in calories and saturated fat, and generally contains more omega-3 and less omega-6 than grain-fed beef. Beef – Burgers and Steaks Find out the nutritional value of bison compared to beef and other meat products. If your health status requires you to carefully count calories or eat fewer omega-6 fatty acids to improve your omega ratio, bison is a better choice. Bison are the larger, woolier cousins of cattle. But the introduced hormones are not there and bison … It … Beef or Venison: Which Tastes Better? The National Bison Association claims that 3.5 ounces of cooked bison meat contains 143 calories and just 2.5 grams of fat. Hollywood; call 301- 932-1800. Top sirloin steak is $9.25 per pound. The meat of bison doesn’t actually veer away from some other red meats but bison meat has a lighter flavor and slightly sweet in taste. And for some, bison meat might be tender compared to other meats especially if you are consuming beef for almost a number of years. Because it is leaner, there is less fat marbling. Each of these meats (particularly the Elk and Bison) are of course considered to be among the leanest meats available. “How to Cook Bison,” National Bison Association, 2020; https://bisoncentral.com/how-to-cook-bison/, last accessed January 20, 2020. Fat is what makes beef taste good. 10075 Stone Bridge Rd., Culpepper; Call 540-727-8590. Is there a major health benefit to choosing bison over beef, or vice versa? When deciding between bison vs beef steak, consider the choice similar to comparing apples to oranges. They taste relatively similar, though bison does tend to have a smoother texter in the mouth. We found seven restaurants where locally raised bison is always on the menu, two that feature it as a daily special and one that serves bison every weekend. For the most part, the two are interchangeable and can be served as a steak or roast, or even ground up as burgers. Grass-fed meat, whether it is beef or bison, can contain as much as five times the omega-3 fatty acids as grain-fed beef. Source(s): https://shrinks.im/a77Yk. Bison vs. Preiato, D., “All You Need to Know About Bison Meat,” Healthline, January 10, 2020; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bison-meat-nutrition, last accessed 20, 2020. The Bison did not taste 'gamey' but had a great lean beef taste. By Scott Bestul. Differences were subtle, and the texture of beef and bison was similar. The National Bison Association warns to be careful of … Animal food products are a great source of B vitamins that play a number of roles in health. We detected no wild or gamy flavor. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that there are varying cuts of each. It does, but a bison burger tastes like the way beef does at its best—not the usual run-of-the-mill burger you get most of the time. The most significant difference between these two meats is fat content. Also: farm-raised, fresh and frozen chicken, rabbit and goat. Just slightly different then the beef burgers. It can be very confusing with all the options these days. We would have had absolutely no idea that this was bison. I ate half a bison burger and half a beef burger to compare them. But this was "chewy" in a good way. Bison Vs Beef. Beef: Which Is Better for Your Health? Bison raised on a farm and fed grains and silage would taste more like beef. If you’re looking for a low fat, low cholesterol, and nutrient-dense meat to incorporate as a regular part of your diet, look no further than bison. Home > Food Facts > Meat > Bison vs. Do they taste the same? For the most part, the two are interchangeable and can be served as a steak or roast, or even ground up as burgers. But this is a trap for many reasons, mainly the diet of the animal. Store bison in the coldest part of your refrigerator. This is kind of a microcosm of the answer to the basic question of bison vs. cattle: It’s not necessarily that bison are inherently more sustainable, it’s that cattle very often are ranched in an unsustainable way. What are the health benefits of bison? Obviously when we’re talking about lean and healthy meats and proteins, nutrition is going to be a good place to start. Sales by appointment. The flavor of bison was really good for burgers. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. To learn more about the taste of bison, consider its texture and flavor. Keep reading to discover the real differences and similarities between the meats of these two members of the Bovidae family. What does bison taste like compared to beef? Guns . Desktop notifications are on   | Turn off, Get breaking news alerts from The Washington Post. Bison, however, is likely to cost you considerably more than beef. All meat -- ground bison ($4.50 per pound) sirloin steaks ($12 per pound) and chuck roasts ($6 per pound) -- is sold frozen. Which would you choose? Bison offers more omega-3 fats than beef, and a better omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Web site: www.cibolafarm.com. Ground bison or A sampler gift box with a three- to four-pound roast, two to three pounds of steak and three to four pounds of chopped meat is about $60. All rights reserved. Bison and beef are two types of red meat that share many similarities, the main ones being nutrient profile and taste. Beef vs. Bison. The following table represents the nutritional differences between a four-ounce serving of bison and beef. Guns. Bison vs. beef. Bison may have a deeper red color that can almost look purple. Overcooking bison can make it tough and unenjoyable, so you monitor your heat. Web site: www.heritagebison.com. Sobel, A., “Bison vs. https://www.foodsforbetterhealth.com/bison-vs-beef-which-is-better-for-your-health-39545. Heritage Bison Frozen bison tenderloin ($14 per pound), roasts ($6 per pound) and ground meat ($4 per pound) are available at John Brigante's 87-acre Hidden Dream Farm (midway between Frederick and Baltimore). Zinc helps keep your immune system strong so you can fight illness. It’s very high in protein, much more so than beef. 0 0. droo. Because bison are grass-fed on pastures at this moment, the meat is likely higher in omega-3. The results: Both were delicious, but we preferred the flavor of bison. Several dozen area restaurants have bison burger or steak on the menu now and again. Bison is considered gourmet meat and the price of bison products is certainly an indication of the gourmet classification. Individual cuts of bison are the same as beef, but they have a slightly different appearance. Because both are red meat, recommendations for consumption don’t change. They are terrific sources of protein and each features all nine essential amino acids. All steaks were finished in a 500-degree oven for three to four minutes. Lean, ground bison meat from Georgetown Farm, Free Union, Va. is available at Fresh Fields and Sutton Place Gourmet stores. Adequate iron intake promotes higher energy and improved focus. The beef strip, in comparison, had a mushy texture. Our ground beef posses a higher protein content, while our ground bison is the leaner option. “Beef, variety meats and by-products, raw nutrition facts and calories,” SELFNutrition Data, 2020; https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/beef-products/3464/2, last accessed January 20, 2020. For a comparison tasting we asked Martin Saylor, executive chef of Butterfield 9 in downtown Washington, a restaurant where bison is on the menu every day, to prepare a Black Angus beef tenderloin and New York strip steak as well as the same two cuts of locally raised bison from Georgetown Farm in Free Union, Va. Before cooking, all steaks were rubbed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. The bison strip steak was chewier than the beef strip. Beef: What’s the Difference?” Healthline, July 17, 2019; FoodsForBetterHealth. Bison steak: If broiling a bison steak, it will cook in about one-third the time of beef and it’s not recommended to cook beyond medium. https://bit.ly/3ouzmzj The grass-fed beef and the 80/20 beef cooked at about the same rate, while the bison browned fast. Steaks and roasts that are still in their original packaging can be kept safely for up to four days, while fresh ground bison can be kept for two. Beef is the gold standard and most familiar protein for many of our pallets. Second, we tried the bison. Cook for about 10 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink inside and digital thermometer inserted sideways into center reads 160°F. It does not taste gamey. Bison steaks are cut more or less identically to the beef steaks you’re used to — you’ll find bison filet mignon, bison ribeye, bison T-bones, and just about anything else at a good butcher. For a full range of fresh cuts -- steaks, roasts and ribs -- visit Georgetown Farm's Buffalo Hill Specialty Meats & Gift Shop, Route 230, Madison, Va.; call 888-328-5326. Lean bison cooks faster than beef. so they bulk up much faster than they would if they were grass-fed on a pasture. Gunnars, K., “Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef — What’s the Difference?” Healthline, December 4, 2020; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grass-fed-vs-grain-fed-beef#bottom-line, last accessed January 20, 2020. Each of these essential minerals plays a number of important roles in the body. According to the USDA, bison burgers have 152 calories and 7 grams fat, which is less than even a 90% lean beef burger (184 calories and 10 grams fat) and a 93% lean turkey burger (176 calories and 10 grams fat). Beef and bison are both excellent sources of protein. After all, is one healthier than the other? Beef: Which Is Better for Your Health? Bison is leaner than beef and may be a healthier choice if you’re looking to reduce your calorie or fat intake. Gently shape the meat mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick burgers. Less lean than its brothers: the other bison cuts, yet far less fatty than its cousin the beef rib steak, this is a steak to be served quickly as it looses too much of its great taste if served at room temperature. Bison roast: A bison roast, cooked at 275, will take about the same amount of time as a beef roast of a similar size. We want to point out just one difference. Recipes are available on the farm's Web site: www.eatlean.com. What Does Bison Taste Like? If you are used to organic, grass-fed beef, then the differences between beef, elk and bison will be subtle nuances. The steaks taste best when cooked rare to medium. Land O'Lakes Farm On his farm, near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Dick Wildes sells frozen, ground bison ($4.25 per pound, 5-pound minimum). If you’ve never tried it before, ground bison is a good type of meat to start with—it’s lean and flavorful and easily substituted in recipes that call for ground beef. Taste: It’s hard to resist making comparisons to beef when you try other red meats. It's not gamey, and it doesn't have much of an aftertaste. Slightly. Bison meat is considered healthier than cattle meat because it has less fat and calorie content. Saylor pan-seared the beef over medium-high heat for approximately 3 1/2 minutes on each side. Most of the beef for sale is grain-fed and bred on industrial farms. A couple of differences can be attributed to farming practices. Sobel, A., “Bison vs. Since there is less fat, cooking times will be slightly shorter than beef. The rich, dark red meat offers flavors that are most similar to beef, though in some cases it tastes a bit stronger. Sources: The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends limiting red meat intake to a maximum of 18 ounces per week. The Best New Shotguns of 2021. has less calories than beef. Wausau Foodie – Steak Shootout Buffalo vs Grass Fed Beef Taste Test: "On the whole, I found that the Bison had a slightly sweeter and more mellow taste than beef. Place burgers on greased grill over medium heat and close lid. Bison and beef have a similar texture, though the former can be slightly more chewy — in a good way. They are terrific sources of protein and each features all nine essential amino acids. They taste relatively similar, though bison does tend to have a smoother texter in the mouth. “Storage and Cooking Bison,” Bison Producers of Alberta, 2020; https://www.bisoncentre.com/consumers/nutritional-information/storage-cooking-bison/, last accessed January 20, 2020. Sales by appointment in Chantilly and Culpepper; call 703-754-4947. Pour in onions, stirring gently. Copyright © 2021 - FoodsForBetterHealth. How does bison differ in flavor and texture from beef? From taste to texture to nutrition, each meat choice has its unique benefits to your next home cooked gourmet meal. Bison tastes like lean, slightly gamy, slightly sweeter beef. Selenium is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. The cows are also kept in extremely close quarters and given antibiotics to prevent disease outbreaks, while they may also be given additional hormones to promote growth. Cibola Farms Visit Mike Sipes and Rob Ferguson's Trading Post store (Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) for frozen bison steaks, ribs, roasts and ground meat. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bison-vs-beef#similarities, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grass-fed-vs-grain-fed-beef#bottom-line, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6434678/#!po=42.0455, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bison-meat-nutrition, https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/beef-products/3464/2, https://www.bisoncentre.com/consumers/nutritional-information/storage-cooking-bison/, https://bisoncentral.com/how-to-cook-bison/, https://www.canadianliving.com/food/recipe/bison-burgers-1, Figs: Nutrition Facts, Health Benefits, and How to Eat Them, Healthy Christmas Cookies: 5 Christmas Cookie Recipes, What Is Cherimoya? Next time you’re at the store to get taco materials, consider the health benefits of ground bison vs ground beef. Rather, the bison was slightly sweet. First, we tasted the beef ribeye steak. Legacy/Thistlewood The Stensrud family of Legacy Ranch and the Dawson family of Thistlewood Farm have formed a 65-head bison partnership. This is a steak we are used to, I mean, prime beef is just so good. “Bison Burgers,” Canadian Living, July 14, 2005; https://www.canadianliving.com/food/recipe/bison-burgers-1, last accessed January 20, 2020. Bison … Beef from open range cattle would taste much more like bison. It has a stronger, beefier flavor, but at the same time is more tender and somehow "lighter" than ground beef. How Bison tastes vs Beef. The big surprise here was from the plant burgers. However, as we noted earlier, bison is naturally leaner than beef. The most obvious is that beef comes from cattle and bison comes from, well, bison (often mistakenly referred to as buffalo). It is lower in cholesterol, and higher in nutrients such as beta carotene and protein. Here’s a recipe for a bison burger. We detected no wild or gamy flavor. It had a more char-grilled taste than the beef burger. More Whitetail 365.