Everything you wanted to know about bison – and more

What does bison meat taste like? Is bison meat better for me than beef? Where are your bison raised? These are some of the many questions we get asked at Noble. Whether you’re a full on meat lover, or one who enjoys red meat sparingly, choosing wisely when it comes to the protein you eat is important. We know that, and we know that to choose wisely, you want to know everything you can about where your meat comes from and what goes into it.

Our bison are 100% Canadian and so are we

One of the questions we get asked is why our retail packaging says ‘Product of the USA’ when our bison are raised in Canada. Noble Premium Bison is a Canadian company headquartered in Calgary Alberta, and all our bison are raised on ranches in Western Canada. Our bison products are processed in the USA so the packaging must say Product of USA. As part of our commitment to quality and food safety, we wanted to process and package our premium product at the best facility possible. We chose a single species facility in North Dakota because of the following benefits:

• Good Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification
• Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification
• EU export certification
• high animal welfare standards
• all production processes in one facility
• close proximity to our ranches
• single species facility means no risk of cross-contamination

No other facility in North America can meet these requirements that are important to Noble Premium Bison. So even though our label says Product of USA, you can rest assured our company and our bison are proudly Canadian.

Where are your bison raised?

Our bison are grown and raised by Canadian producers on over 9,000 acres of native grasslands in Western Canada. We have two ranches in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba that are owned and managed by our producer/partner Doug Griller, a third generation rancher. When required, we also work with select producers in Western Canada that manage/govern their operations under the same guidelines and attention to environmental practices as Noble. When you buy Noble Premium Bison, you’re buying Canadian and supporting sustainable agriculture.

Is bison meat better for me than beef?

Bison is a leaner protein than beef and may be a healthier choice if you’re looking to maximize your nutritional benefit while reducing your calorie or fat intake. Bison is a great choice for Keto-friendly diets—it has nearly 25% fewer calories than beef and is lower in total and saturated fat. Both are good sources of iron, zinc phosphorus, niacin, selenium, and vitamins B6 and B12, although bison is higher in iron and Omega 3s.

Are your bison given antibiotics or hormones?

Absolutely not. Canada has one of the strictest food safety programs in the world, and regulations and industry standards don’t allow the use of hormones in bison. As well, Noble Premium Bison are raised without the use of antibiotics, and our products contain no additives, which means you enjoy 100% pure protein.

What does bison meat taste like?

We think it tastes great! Bison is considered a wild or game meat, but it doesn’t taste gamey at all. Bison meat is slightly richer and sweeter than beef and has a smoother mouth feel because of the leanness. Bison and beef have a similar enough flavour that it doesn’t take an adventurous palate to give it a try. However, bison has so much more than beef in terms of nutrition, and because it’s lean, bison has less fat and cholesterol compared to other proteins.

Is bison hard to cook?

Bison is as easy to cook as beef, however, because of its lean nutritional profile, bison meat needs less time on the grill. When cooking steaks, we suggest medium-rare for the best eating experience and not more than medium. To be safe, use an instant-read thermometer for perfect results. For slow cooking and ground, follow the instructions on the packaging and check out our website for some delicious recipes, including Pulled Bison Sliders Three Ways and Bison Bibimbap!

Why is bison meat a different colour than beef?

Uncooked bison meat is usually a darker colour than beef due to its high iron content and low marbling. In fact, bison meat can often darken in colour over time or when exposed to the air, again because of the high iron.

What kind of bison cuts are available?

Noble Premium Bison products are available at wholesale to the hospitality industry and at retail for consumers.

At wholesale, we offer dozens of premium cuts of meat, generated from industry standard specs set by the North American Meat Producers (NAMP). From tomahawk to T-bone, ribeye to striploin, our bison cuts are hand-carved to the same high standard each and every time. For high volume orders we offer a custom spec service for clients who require a spec unique to their business. Regardless of the cut, our goal is to maximize value by minimizing handling and waste. For information on how to put bison on your menu, contact us at .

At retail, we offer consumers bison steaks for grilling and marinating, bison steak cubes for kabobs and slow cooking, and lean and extra lean ground bison that can be used in any recipe that calls for ground beef. For a full list of retailers across Canada, visit Where to Buy.

Can I use bison instead of beef in recipes that call for beef?

Due to their versatility and comparable taste profiles, bison and beef can be prepared similarly in your favourite recipes. Because bison is leaner than beef, and has less fat and cholesterol compared to other proteins, be sure not to overcook that Noble Premium Bison steak! For best results, we recommend medium-rare and definitely no more than medium. Check out our website for lots of great recipes including How to Cook the Perfect Steak!

What do you mean by sustainable or regenerative ranching?

The regenerative ranching movement is growing, along with consumer demand for products that are raised sustainably without harm to the environment. Through our ranching practices, we work to improve the soil and overall health of the land our bison graze on. We strategically move the bison around so that rangeland is trimmed and fertilized by the bison. This strategy leads to increased forage production, plant diversity and soil fertility, resistance to drought, better water retention, and the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere into the soil. Managing bison in conscientious ways regenerates the land and can have a positive impact on climate change. Visit our ranch here.

In the news, in the know

Bison meat as a superior protein has been a well-kept secret for many years, but at Noble Premium Bison, we’re trying to change that. From our full list of FAQs to our continually updated In the News, our goal is simple – to answer your questions about bison, and share knowledge on sustainability, nutrition and health. So let’s keep the conversation going! We invite you to engage with us on Social Media so we can answer your questions and share all those fantastic recipes and photos! Tag your posts #eatbettereatbison and we’ll be sure not to miss you!