The Honest Bison Meat Review: Why This Meat Delivery Service Is a Cut Above the Rest
Hey there, steak lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the best-tasting, highest-quality meats to feed yourself and your family. Well, I have a hot tip for you – let me introduce you to my latest obsession: The Honest Bison.
The Honest Bison is a meat delivery service that specializes in premium bison, elk, and venison straight from sustainable family farms to your front door. Their meats are grass-fed, humanely raised, and free from antibiotics and hormones. They offer everything from individual cuts to ground meats, sausages, jerkies, and even curated boxes filled with a variety of their best offerings.
I had the pleasure of sampling a wide range of Honest Bison products, and let me tell you, my mind was blown. I consider myself a bit of a steak snob, but this meat was next-level delicious. Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor – like nothing I‘d ever tasted before. But don‘t just take my word for it – keep reading for my in-depth review!
What Makes Bison, Elk and Venison So Special?
Before we dive into the nitty gritty of The Honest Bison‘s offerings, let‘s talk about why you might want to branch out from your usual beef and give these alternative red meats a try.
Health Benefits
When it comes to nutrition, bison, elk and venison have a lot going for them. Take a look at this comparison chart:
| Meat (100g) | Calories | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Iron (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison | 109 | 21.6 | 1.8 | 60 | 3.4 |
| Elk | 111 | 22.8 | 1.5 | 57 | 3.3 |
| Venison | 120 | 22.5 | 2.4 | 83 | 3.4 |
| Beef (90% lean) | 176 | 20.3 | 10 | 86 | 2.5 |
As you can see, all three boast an impressive protein content while being much lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol than even lean beef. They‘re also richer in iron, packing 34-36% of the RDI per serving compared to just 14% for beef. Plus, they‘re chock full of other essential nutrients like zinc, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
In fact, a 2019 study published in the journal Meat Science found that consuming bison meat significantly improved iron status and reduced inflammation in human participants, even more so than beef (source).
Environmental Impact
Not only is choosing bison, elk or venison over conventional beef better for your body, it‘s also better for the planet.
These animals are well-suited to the lands where they roam. Bison, for example, are native to the Great Plains and play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem. Their grazing habits promote biodiversity, and their hooves help to till and fertilize the soil (source).
Plus, bison produce 30-70% less methane than cattle, and their ranching has a much lower carbon footprint (source). By supporting bison ranchers like The Honest Bison, you‘re investing in a more sustainable future for American agriculture.
Humane Practices
If animal welfare is a top concern for you, you‘ll be happy to know that the bison, elk and venison industries are leaders in humane handling practices.
The National Bison Association‘s Code of Ethics requires members to adhere to strict standards for the care, handling, and processing of bison. This includes allowing them to roam freely on pastures, minimizing stress, and using low-stress handling techniques.
Similarly, the North American Elk Breeders Association has a Quality Assurance Program that sets guidelines for every aspect of elk farming, from herd health to sustainable land management practices.
As for venison, most deer farms follow the Deer Protection Guidelines set by the North American Deer Farmers Association, which prioritize the health, safety and welfare of the animals.
By choosing products from The Honest Bison, you can feel good knowing that the meat you‘re eating came from animals that were treated with respect and allowed to live as nature intended.
The Taste Test: My Honest Bison Review
Alright, now that you‘re up to speed on why bison, elk and venison are such stellar choices, let‘s get into the good stuff – how does the meat from The Honest Bison actually taste? I sampled a variety of their cuts and products, and I‘m excited to share my honest thoughts with you.
Bison Ribeye Steak
I started my tasting journey with one of the most classic cuts – the ribeye. The Honest Bison‘s ribeye steaks are a generous 10 oz, plenty to satisfy a hearty appetite. They come individually vacuum-sealed to preserve freshness.
I seasoned mine simply with salt and pepper and tossed it on a screaming hot grill. The scent wafting up from the grates was intoxicating – that charred, smoky aroma that immediately makes your mouth water.
After cooking to a perfect medium-rare, I sliced into the steak and was greeted by a gorgeous rosy interior. The meat was incredibly juicy and tender, with a rich, clean flavor. It didn‘t taste gamey at all – just an intense, pure beefiness. The texture was sublime, with a delicate chew that melted in my mouth.
I served the sliced steak with garlicky mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus for an elevated take on a classic meat and potatoes dinner. To say it was a hit with my husband would be an understatement – I practically had to wrestle the plate away from him to snag a bite!
Elk Medallions
Next up, I tried the elk medallions, which come in 7 oz portions. You can also opt for a bacon-wrapped version for an extra layer of flavor.
I seared the medallions in a cast iron skillet until browned on the outside but still pink and juicy in the middle. The aroma was slightly sweet and reminded me of venison.
The elk medallions tasted similar to beef, but with a cleaner, milder flavor. They were incredibly tender, with a texture similar to filet mignon. I could cut them easily with a fork.
I can see these medallions being incredibly versatile – they‘d be amazing in a red wine reduction sauce, sliced thin for sandwiches, or skewered and grilled for a fancy appetizer. The bacon-wrapped option would be a great choice for a special occasion like Valentine‘s Day or an anniversary dinner.
Ground Bison
Of course, not every night can be a fancy steak night. That‘s where The Honest Bison‘s ground meats come in clutch for easy weeknight meals. Their ground bison comes in 1 lb vacuum-sealed packs, perfect for storing in the freezer until you need it.
I used the ground bison in all my usual ground beef recipes – tacos, pasta sauce, stuffed peppers, you name it. It worked perfectly as a substitute, but with an amplified meaty flavor and a slightly richer taste.
One of my favorite ways to use it was in homemade burgers. I mixed the ground bison with minced shallots, garlic, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, then formed it into thick patties. Grilled to juicy perfection and topped with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and a smear of homemade aioli – I‘m drooling just thinking about it!
The great thing about ground bison is that it‘s incredibly versatile and easy to work with, but feels like an upgrade from plain old ground beef. Your taste buds will definitely notice the difference!
Venison Jerky
I know, I know – jerky might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of gourmet meats. But let me tell you, The Honest Bison‘s venison jerky is a game changer.
The jerky is made from 100% grass-fed deer meat and seasoned with simple ingredients like salt, pepper, and garlic. It‘s chewy but not tough, with a robust, meaty flavor that‘s slightly sweet and smoky.
What I love about this jerky is that it‘s a high-protein, low-sugar snack that actually satisfies my cravings. It‘s perfect for taking on hikes, road trips, or just keeping in your desk drawer for when the afternoon munchies hit.
The Honest Bison offers the venison jerky in three flavors – Original, Peppered, and Garlic. The Original is great if you like a classic, straightforward jerky, but the Peppered is my personal favorite for its subtle heat and extra depth of flavor.
The Bottom Line
After tasting my way through The Honest Bison‘s offerings, I can wholeheartedly recommend their products to any carnivore looking to up their meat game. The flavor and quality of the bison, elk and venison is truly unparalleled – you can taste the difference that comes from sustainable, ethical farming practices.
But don‘t just take my word for it – The Honest Bison has glowing reviews from customers across the board. On Trustpilot, they have an impressive 4.7 out of 5 star rating, with reviews praising the taste, texture, and freshness of the meat. Several customers also mentioned appreciating the company‘s commitment to humane treatment of the animals and transparency around their sourcing.
One thing to note – due to the premium quality of the meat, it does come at a slightly higher price point than your standard supermarket fare. However, in my opinion, it‘s absolutely worth the splurge for a special occasion or just to treat yourself to an exceptional meal.
Plus, The Honest Bison often runs promotions and discounts, so be sure to sign up for their email list to snag a deal. They also offer free standard shipping on orders over $150, which is a great excuse to stock up your freezer.
All in all, if you‘re looking to expand your culinary horizons and taste some of the best meat out there, I highly recommend giving The Honest Bison a try. Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you!
