Is bison the same as buffalo?

They are not technically the same animal. In North America what we call buffalo are actually bison.

What does bison taste like?

Bison tastes a lot like beef, but the flavor can vary by manufacturer. If you are super sensitive to a gamey flavor, then you might not like bison, but I find the flavor to be very mild. I have even had bison that has a sweetness to it.

Is ground bison good?

Yes, it is so flavorful and nutritious. I recommend bison as part of a healthy, balanced diet. You can cook and serve bison in the same way as you would beef. See my recipe for Tacos with Ground Bison .

Is ground bison healthier than ground beef?

It depends. Bison can sometimes have a lower saturated fat content and higher protein content. I consider bison from a quality source to be as healthy as grass-fed, grass-finished beef. Learn more about why bison is healthy .

This recipe has less than 12 grams of carbohydrate per serving, so it is a keto-friendly recipe.

Ground Bison and Cauliflower Bowl

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 cup cauliflower rice (see notes if using frozen cauliflower rice)
1 pound ground bison
1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
1 teaspoon dried turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup chopped kale

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Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, pour in the the olive oil. Let the oil heat up for a minute or so.
Add the onion and cauliflower rice, and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes.
Add the bison and use a spatula to break up the pieces as it cooks.
Sprinkle in the oregano, turmeric, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Let the mixture cook for about 3 more minutes.
Add the kale, reduce the heat to low, and cover the skillet. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, or until the bison is cooked through.
Turn the heat off and serve the bison mixture hot.

Notes

You can substitute lean ground beef for the bison, if you prefer.
I used fresh cauliflower rice (not frozen) in my recipe. If you want to use frozen cauliflower rice, just cook it a bit long when you cook it with the onion (about 4 minutes).
Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
If you can’t find ground bison at your local grocery store, try a specialty foods store like Whole Foods Market or your local butcher.
Be careful not to overcook the cauliflower rice. If you cook it too long, it can get soft and soggy.
If you aren’t on a Whole30 or paleo diet, you can use pre-cooked rice in place of the cauliflower rice.
Ground bison tends to have a mild flavor compared to other game. If you’re concerned it will taste too gamey, you can substitute ground beef for the bison.

Author: Carrie Forrest, MBA, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Paleo
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 254
Sugar: 4.6 g
Sodium: 417.7 mg
Fat: 12.2 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 12.2 g
Fiber: 4.1 g
Protein: 26.5 g
Cholesterol: 62.5 mg