Ah, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the juicy tenderness of a succulent chicken breast, or the mouthwatering aroma of a slow-roasted pork shoulder – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-cooked piece of meat.
But as any seasoned chef will tell you, achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and safety is all about cooking meat to the correct internal temperature. Like any other meat, bison has to be cooked to the proper temperature in order to be both delicious and safe to eat.
What Is The Right Internal Temperature For Bison?
The right internal temperature for bison is 160°F (71.1°C). The temperature should be taken with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. It is important to note that the temperature should be taken in the center of the meat, not the edges.
How To Cook Bison To The Right Internal Temperature
The best way to ensure that bison is cooked to the right internal temperature is to use a thermometer. However, a typical method would be to cook it at a temperature of 275°F (135°C) for 15 minutes per pound.
It is also important to keep in mind that the internal temperature of bison will continue to rise after it is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to remove the bison from the heat source when the thermometer reads 160°F (71.1°C). This will ensure that the bison is cooked to the right internal temperature.
Why Is Internal Temperature Important?
Cooking food to the right internal temperature is essential for food safety. Bacteria can cause foodborne illness when food is not cooked to the right temperature.
Bison is particularly susceptible to foodborne illness because it can contain higher levels of bacteria than other meats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that bison is cooked to the right internal temperature in order to avoid foodborne illness.
When Cooking Bison, It Is Important To Keep The Following Tips In Mind:
1. Bison meat is leaner than other red meats, so it’s important not to overcook it. Cook bison steaks and roasts to an internal temperature of 145°F, and ground bison to 160°F.
2. Bison meat is best cooked using moderate heat. Cook bison on a preheated grill over medium-high heat, or in a preheated oven at 375°F.
3. Baste bison meat with a little oil or butter to help keep it moist during cooking.
4. Let bison steaks and roasts rest for 3-5 minutes before cutting into them to allow the juices to redistribute.
5. Use your favorite seasonings on bison meat. Bison is versatile and pairs well with many flavors.
Bison Recipes
Recipe 1. Peanut Butter and Bison Dog Treats
Ingredients:
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup ground bison
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, bison, flour, oats, honey, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, lightly beat egg. Add to the peanut butter mixture and stir until well combined.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and press down slightly.
5. Bake until cookies are set, about 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe 2. Bison and Sweet Potato Chili
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground bison
1 red pepper, diced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add bison and red pepper and cook until the meat is browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper and stir until well combined.
4. Add tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, sweet potato, tomato sauce, and water and stir until well combined.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sweet potato is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Sources
1. Roasting Those “Other” Holiday Meats | Food Safety and Inspection Service. (n.d.). https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/roasting-those-other-holiday-meats
2. Meat & Fish | Food Safety and Inspection Service. (n.d.). https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat
3. Foods Linked to Illness. (2022b, February 22). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foods-linked-illness.html#:~:text=Chicken%2C%20Beef%2C%20Pork%2C%20and%20Turkey,-Thoroughly%20cooking%20chicken&text=It%20also%20may%20contain%20Salmonella,may%20call%20for%20this%20step.