The Definitive Guide to The Honest Bison‘s Grass-Fed Meats
As an avid meat eater and grill master with over 10 years reviewing meats, I‘ve tasted everything from wagyu beef to heritage pork. But never have I sampled meats as mouthwateringly delicious and nutritious as The Honest Bison’s 100% grass-fed bison, elk and venison.
About The Honest Bison
The Honest Bison founder Sean Lenihan started the company in 2012 to make truly natural meats accessible to all. His meats come from sustainable ranches across the Midwest and Pacific Northwest that meet stringent protocols:
- No antibiotics or hormones ever
- 100% free-range grass feeding
- Humane handlings from birth through processing
Additionally, The Honest Bison operates their own bison ranch spanning 50 acres in Wisconsin for direct oversight of animal welfare and meat quality.
Grazing and Feeding Specifics
I spoke with Lenihan to get more details on The Honest Bison‘s sourcing practices. Their bison, elk and deer all:
- Graze on open pasturelands eating only grass and native vegetation
- Feed on regionally appropriate grasses, lichens and prairie plants
- Forage over 250 acres of land per herd for diverse diet
- Rotate to new grazing areas to prevent overgrazing
And the animals never enter confined feed lots nor get administered antibiotics/hormones. This natural, stress-free environment and clean living translates into superior wellbeing and flavor.
Health Benefits of Bison, Elk and Venison
You may assume bison is just trendier beef. Not so! In fact, bison surpasses beef substantially in nutrition:
| Meat (100g) | Protein | Iron | Vitamin B12 | Zinc | Omega-3s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef | 26g | 15% DV | 38% DV | 47% DV | .13g |
| Bison | 32g | 31% DV | 163% DV | 73% DV | .92g |
(Protein amounts from USDA FoodData Central; Vitamins/minerals from Healthline; Omega-3s from Bison Central)
Similarly, both elk and venison deliver more protein and nutrients than beef while being very low in fat. Diets including these meats support cardiovascular health while offering anti-inflammatory benefits from omega-3 fatty acids.
Flavor and Texture
While beef satisfies, bison brings an elegantly rich, mildly sweet profile some compare to a tender filet mignon. Elk mimics beef tenderloin with delicate red-wine notes. And venison captures a woodland essence perfect for stews. All three cook up tender and juicy when not overdone.
Review of 12 Standout Honest Bison Items
Next I systematically taste tested over a dozen cuts of Honest Bison meat using my Kalamazoo hybrid grill and industry-leading thermometers. Here are highlights of my top picks:
1. Bison Tomahawk Steak
- 16 oz cut with dramatic long bone
- Impressive presentation
- Perfect medium rare in under 8 minutes
- Exquisite tenderness rivalling prime beef
- Flavoursome despite lean marbling
- Cost: $11.21 per lb – Excellent value
2. Bison Ribeye Steak
- Sold at 9 oz for $30
- Most marbling of all steaks
- Fork tender texture
- Robust beefiness with touch of sweetness
- Melted sublimely at medium rare
- Cost: $13.33 per lb – Less than fine dining
3. Bison Burgers
- Half pound patties
- Firm texture holds up impressively
- Bun-sized with great grill marks
- Delectably juicy and savory
- Ideal doneness from edge to edge
- New favorite burger!
- Cost: $10 per lb – Better value than beef
4. Elk Tenderloin Tips
- Uniform 1.5-inch cubes
- Light marbling ensures perfect medium rare
- Steakhouse tender
- Melt-in-your mouth feel
- Cost: $18.75 per lb – Still far less than at restaurants
5. Venison Shoulder for Stew
- Dusted chunks in red wine braise
- Extremely budget friendly at $14 per lb
- Literally falling apart tender
- Rich sauce clinging to morsels
- Great way to enjoy venison for less
6. Bison Short Ribs
- Hefty meat-to-bone ratio
- Braised until meat toys off bone
- Most flavorful ribs ever tasted
- Make beef ribs seem dry and bland
- Cost: $12 per lb – Worth splurging on
7. Bison Bratwurst Links
- Plump with great snap when bitten into
- Smoked paprika and garlic notes
- Fit perfectly into puffy pretzel buns
- Juiciest sausage ever – no fat drips out!
- Cost: $8 per lb – Artisanal quality for less
8. Bison Bacon Breakfast Strips
- 70% leaner than pork yet all the flavor
- Crisped perfectly in my cast iron
- Smoky, salty, meaty taste
- Elevated my breakfast sandwich
- Hard not to devour the whole pack!
9. Bison Epic Griller Box
- Packed with 2+ lbs of premium cuts
- Christmas morning unveiling the dry ice fog
- Standouts: peppery bison skirt steak, bacon-wrapped venison
- Over $60 savings compared to individual purchases
- Ultimate grilling bounty
10. Bison Ground Meat
- Burgers grilled up even better than store beef
- 1 lb chubs perfect for meal prepping
- Handmade meatloaf with egg and oats – new favorite!
- Ideal for chili, lasagna, meatballs and more
- Half the price of other preformed patties
11. Value Packs
I compared costs of packages versus buying individually. Here are top bundles that offer savings up to 25%:
- Epic Griller
- The Carnivore
- Premium Steaks Box
- Burger Bonanza
12. Monthly Subscription
- Choose 4-12 lbs ground meat and/or steaks
- Delivered monthly with 20% off retail pricing
- Skip months or cancel anytime
- Ultimate convenience!
Grilling Tips for Perfect Results
Follow my top five hints for cooking beyond expectation:
1. Get an Instant-Read Thermometer
Probe thermometers let you nail ideal doneness, especially with lean meats. Shoot for:
- Steaks/chops: Rare 135°F; Med Rare 145°F
- Roasts: 140°F for medium rare
- Ground bison burgers: 160°F
2. Always Pre-Heat Your Grill
Starting with a hot grill prevents sticking. Get to 500-600°F before oiling the grates and laying food down.
3. Don‘t Press Burgers!
Pressing squeezes flavorful juices out. Use indentations in patties instead of pressing to get grill marks.
4. Let Meat Rest Before Serving
As juices get redistributed internally, meats become MORE juicy and tender after sitting 5-7 minutes tented in foil.
5. Embrace Strong Seasonings
The bold, meaty flavors of bison, elk and venison can handle assertive rubs and marinades. Get creative with flavors!
Bison Prices Stack Up Surprisingly Well
Sure, bison costs more per pound than basic 80/20 ground chuck from the grocery store. But compared to quality beef steaks or healthier 90/10 ground beef, bison competes very closely:
| Cuts | Bison Price | Beef Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ribeye steak per lb | $13.33 | $18-24 | $5-11 less |
| Ground beef patties per lb | $8 | $12 | $4 less |
| Skirt steak per lb | $14 | $17 | $3 less |
And for foodies seeking novel flavors or the health-conscious, grass-fed bison outshines beef nutritionally making it well worth the minor upside.
Plus value boxes like the Epic Griller provide over a pound of assorted premium steaks, roasts and ground for around $12 per lb – an incredible bargain compared to la carte purchasing.
Ordering 100% Grass-Fed Honest Bison
Visit TheHonestBison.com to discover an array of individual cuts, curated boxes and custom pack options.
Expect simple, transparent pricing with flat-rate $19 shipping for up to 36 lbs of frozen meats to anywhere in the lower 48 states.
I‘m so confident you‘ll love their meats that I endorse The Honest Bison enthusiastically to carnivores and health seekers alike. I firmly believe these to be the finest tasting, most conscientious meats available direct to consumer.
Satisfaction guaranteed – if you don‘t agree after tasting their bison, elk or venison, returns are accepted within 14 days.
View their offerings and get mouthwatering proteins delivered straight to your door at TheHonestBison.com.
