Emilie Meyer
Ground bison is a delicious and nutritious alternative to beef, with added health benefits. It's a great source of protein, leaner than beef, and packed with nutrients including iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B12. You can use ground bison in a variety of dishes such as stews, roasts, and chilis. Cooking ground bison in a crock pot is an easy and convenient way to prepare this meat, allowing you to create a hearty and flavorful meal with minimal effort. Whether you're making a comforting stew or a savory roast, the slow-cooking method ensures tender and juicy results, making it a perfect option for busy families or anyone looking for a hassle-free, nutritious meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Stew, roast, chili |
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Cook time | 6-8 hours |
| Ingredients | Bison, beef broth, red wine, onion, carrots, potatoes, celery, garlic, rutabaga, olive oil, flour, vinegar, honey, arrowroot flour, dried parsley, sea salt, black pepper, canola oil, beef broth, bay leaves, dried herbs, Worcestershire sauce |
| Equipment | Slow cooker, crock pot, saucepan, blender, potato masher, electric mixer, skillet, electric pressure cooker, instant pot |
| Health benefits | Leaner, more protein, less fat, packed with nutrients including iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin B12 |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping and cooking ground bison
Ground bison is a delicious and nutritious alternative to ground beef. It is perfect for a comforting meal on a cold day and can be prepared with minimal effort. Here is a step-by-step guide to prepping and cooking ground bison in a crock pot:
Prepping the Ingredients:
Before you start, gather all the ingredients you will need, including fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms, carrots, celery, garlic, and potatoes. You can also add spices and seasonings such as salt, black pepper, dried parsley, bay leaves, and dried herbs. Don't forget to get a good quality ground bison from your local butcher or a trusted source.
Cooking Oil and Seasoning:
Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or avocado oil. Heat a generous amount of oil in a skillet or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the ground bison generously with salt and pepper, or your preferred seasoning blend. You can also add other spices like paprika or cumin for extra flavour.
Browning the Meat:
Place the seasoned ground bison in the hot skillet and break it up into small pieces with a spatula or a wooden spoon. Cook the meat until it is browned and slightly crispy on the outside, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. This step adds a depth of flavour to your dish. You don't need to fully cook the meat at this stage, as it will continue cooking in the crock pot.
Preparing the Crock Pot:
Once the meat is browned, transfer it to the crock pot. If you want to include vegetables, you can sauté them in the same skillet before adding them to the crock pot. Add enough liquid, such as beef broth, vegetable broth, or even red wine, to cover the ingredients. You can also add diced tomatoes, beans, or other ingredients of your choice to create a hearty stew or chili.
Slow Cooking:
Secure the lid on your crock pot and set it to low heat. Let the ground bison cook slowly for several hours, typically between 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat is very tender. The slow cooking process allows the flavours to meld and infuses your dish with a rich, savoury taste.
Serving Suggestions:
Once the ground bison is cooked to your desired level of doneness, you can serve it in a variety of ways. Consider serving it with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or fresh bread to soak up all the delicious juices. Don't forget to garnish with fresh herbs and serve your mouthwatering crock pot ground bison creation!
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Making gravy
Preparing the Ingredients:
Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a basic gravy, you will need the juices from your crock-pot, also known as drippings, and a thickening agent such as flour or cornstarch. You can also add butter to create a roux, which is a mixture of flour and fat used to thicken sauces. If you want to add extra flavor, you can include ingredients like caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, dried or fresh herbs, or even cranberry sauce.
Making the Gravy:
Start by transferring the juices from your crock-pot to a saucepan, leaving any vegetables behind. If you are using flour as your thickening agent, create a roux by adding butter to the juices and whisking in the flour. If you are using cornstarch, create a slurry by mixing it with a small amount of water or gravy liquid in a separate bowl until smooth, and then add it to your saucepan.
Thickening the Gravy:
Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Continue whisking and cooking until the gravy reaches your desired thickness and consistency. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickening agent used and the desired consistency.
Seasoning and Serving:
Once your gravy has thickened, it's time to season to taste. You can add salt, pepper, or any other desired spices. If you want a smoother gravy, you can use a blender to achieve your desired consistency. Serve your gravy alongside your ground bison crock-pot meal, and enjoy the flavors and heartiness it brings to your dish!
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Choosing and preparing vegetables
When choosing vegetables to cook with ground bison in a crock pot, opt for hardy varieties that can withstand slow cooking without disintegrating. Root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and celery, are excellent choices as they add flavour, texture, and nutritional value to the dish.
Some recipes specifically call for rutabaga, a root vegetable similar to a potato that becomes creamy when cooked. Rutabaga can be mashed with ghee or butter and full-fat canned coconut milk to create a rich and luscious side dish to accompany the bison.
Fresh vegetables like mushrooms can also be added to the crock pot to enhance the flavour and volume of the meal. For a nutritious boost, consider adding leafy greens such as kale towards the end of the cooking process. This will allow the kale to wilt and become tender without overcooking.
When preparing the vegetables, it is essential to chop them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. For root vegetables, this typically means cutting them into 1-inch or 2-inch chunks. For leafy greens like kale, simply chop or tear them into bite-sized pieces.
Additionally, consider layering the vegetables in the crock pot with the meat and other ingredients for a well-combined dish. If you are making a stew, you can first brown the meat in small batches and then layer the vegetables on top, adding beef broth to cover all the ingredients.
By choosing and preparing the right vegetables, you can create a delicious and nutritious crock pot meal with ground bison that will leave your taste buds satisfied.
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Serving suggestions
Slow-cooked ground bison is a versatile dish that can be served in multiple ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
As a Stew
Ground bison can be turned into a hearty stew by simmering it with vegetables and a broth. This classic comfort food is perfect for chilly days. Serve it with fresh bread to soak up the delicious broth. You can also add a thickening agent like cornstarch to give the stew a thicker consistency.
With Mashed Potatoes and Vegetables
Slow-cooked ground bison pairs well with mashed potatoes. Serve the shredded bison alongside hearty skin-on mashed red potatoes and vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms. You can also add pearl onions and a full-bodied red wine to enhance the flavors.
In a Sandwich
Shredded bison meat can be served as a sandwich. Pile the juicy meat onto a roll or between slices of bread, perhaps with some gravy or sauce for added flavor. This makes for a hearty lunch or dinner option.
With Rice or Noodles
Ground bison can also be served with rice or noodles. The versatility of these staples means they can accompany various bison dishes, from a simple stir-fry to a more complex curry or marinara sauce. For a low-carb option, try zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
As a Pot Roast
Slow-cooked ground bison can be the centerpiece of a pot roast dinner. Serve it with potatoes, noodles, or rice, and don't forget the gravy! A side of bread, like biscuits, is perfect for soaking up the gravy. A fresh chopped salad or steamed vegetables can also complement the rich flavors of the roast.
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Health benefits of bison
Bison meat is a nutritious and healthy alternative to beef. It is a good source of protein, with a 100-gram portion providing 20 grams of protein, and is also rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. It is a complete protein source, containing all 20 amino acids required by the human body. Additionally, bison meat contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has anti-inflammatory properties.
One of the key health benefits of bison meat is its positive impact on heart health. Compared to beef, bison meat has fewer calories and less saturated fat, contributing to a healthier heart and blood vessels. It also has a lower atherogenic risk, indicating a reduced risk of vascular disease. The unsaturated fats in bison meat are beneficial for maintaining a healthy balance of cholesterol levels, which is crucial for cardiovascular health.
Bison meat is also a good source of B vitamins, including vitamin B12, which is essential for blood and nerve cell health and DNA production. It also contains vitamin B6 and niacin (B3), which are involved in energy production, neurochemical synthesis, and red blood cell formation.
Another advantage of bison meat is its role in promoting healthy body weight and muscle mass when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Its high protein content aids in muscle building and repair, while the lower fat content supports weight management.
Furthermore, bison farming practices contribute to the conservation of these animals and their natural habitats. Bison are typically grass-fed and free from antibiotics and growth hormones, resulting in meat that is purer and healthier.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a stew, a roast, or chili with ground bison in a crock pot.
Cut the bison into bite-sized chunks and brown them in a pot with olive oil, flour, vinegar, and honey. Place the browned meat into the crock pot with the vegetables, veggie broth, and spices, and let it cook.
Season the bison roast with salt and pepper and sear it in a skillet for 2-4 minutes on each side. Transfer the roast to the crock pot with beef broth and red wine. After cooking, shred the meat and serve with mashed potatoes and a roll, or as a sandwich.
Brown the ground bison in a skillet and add it to the crock pot with vegetables, beans, and spices. Let the chili simmer in the crock pot for a few hours before serving.
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