How to Cook Delicious Bison Bacon at Home

If you love bacon but want a leaner more sustainable meat option look no further than bison bacon! Bison is a rich-tasting red meat that produces bacon with big flavor while being lower in fat and calories than pork bacon. Learn how to cook perfect bison bacon every time with this handy guide.

What is Bison Bacon?

Bison bacon comes from American bison, commonly referred to as buffalo. It’s made from the belly or sides of a bison just like pork bacon.

Bison is technically very low in fat. It has a deep, earthy, slightly sweet taste reminiscent of beef When cured into bacon, it develops a wonderfully rich, smoky flavor

The meat has a fine, dense texture that remains tender when cooked properly Since it’s so lean, bison bacon needs to be prepared a bit differently than regular bacon to avoid drying out

Benefits of Bison Bacon

There are many advantages to choosing bison bacon over pork:

• Much lower in saturated fat and calories
• Higher in protein and iron
• Has a bold, savory flavor
• No growth hormones or antibiotics used
• Environmentally friendly and sustainable
• Supports local farmers and ranchers

As a nutritious red meat option, bison bacon offers guilt-free indulgence! Now let’s go over how to cook it.

Ingredients

To cook bison bacon, you will need:

• Bison bacon strips
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil
• Baking sheet
• Optional seasonings (brown sugar, maple syrup, pepper, etc.)

That’s it! Simple and minimal ingredients are best to let the bison flavor shine.

Choosing the Right Cut

Opt for high-quality sliced bison bacon from a reputable source. Thicker slices hold up better than thin ones.

Choose bacon from the belly for more fat marbling or the leaner loin/side cuts. Belly bacon will be a bit chewier while loin bacon gets crisper.

Packaged pre-sliced bison bacon can be found at specialty grocers or direct from local bison ranches. You can also custom slice bacon slab to your preferred thickness.

Cook Time

Bison bacon takes less time to cook than pork since it’s very lean. The cooking time can vary based on thickness.

Here are general guidelines:

• Thin sliced = 5-8 minutes
• Medium sliced = 8-12 minutes
• Thick sliced = 10-15+ minutes

Use your preferences for chewiness vs. crispness to determine exact cook time.

Oven Cooking Method

The oven provides even, gentle heat ideal for cooking bison bacon. Here is a simple oven cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Arrange bison bacon slices in a single layer on the sheet without overlapping.

3. Bake for 5 minutes then check doneness. Continue cooking to desired texture.

4. For chewy bacon, bake 5-8 minutes total. For crisp bacon, bake 10-15 minutes.

5. Optional: Sprinkle with brown sugar, maple syrup, pepper, or other seasonings in the last 2-3 minutes for added flavor.

6. Let cool for a few minutes before eating so the bacon firms up.

The bacon will continue cooking a bit after removing from the oven. Adjust cook times as needed based on your oven and thickness.

Pan Frying Method

You can also cook bison bacon in a skillet on the stovetop. Here’s how:

1. Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add just enough olive oil or avocado oil to coat the bottom.

2. Carefully lay the bacon strips in the pan without overlapping. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding.

3. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom gets lightly browned. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more.

4. Keep flipping every few minutes until the bacon reaches desired doneness, between 5-10 minutes total.

5. Remove the bacon strips from the pan onto a paper towel-lined plate to blot excess grease.

Pan frying adds crispy browning. But keep a close eye on it as bison bacon can burn quickly!

Microwave Method

For a quick option, the microwave can cook bison bacon decently:

1. Place bacon slices on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Cover with another paper towel.

2. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals until the bacon is slightly stiff but still pliable, about 1-2 minutes total.

3. Remove and let stand 1 minute. Microwave 10-30 seconds more if needed to finish cooking.

The results won’t be as crisp as oven or pan fried but it’s fast!

Cooked Bison Bacon Storage

Cooked bison bacon will keep in the fridge 3-5 days stored in an airtight container. You can freeze it up to 2-3 months.

To reheat, quickly pan fry or bake until warmed through. Microwaving makes it rubbery.

Serving Suggestions

Bison bacon brings smoky, savory goodness to:

• Breakfast sandwiches
• Omelets, scrambles, and egg bakes
• Salads – wilted or crispy on top
• Soups – crumble on at the end
• Burgers and sandwiches
• Wrapped around filets, chicken breasts, or meatloaf
• Appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates
• Brussels sprouts, green beans, roasted veggies
• Baked beans, pasta salad, potato salad

Mix it into dips, sprinkle over pizza, bake into casseroles…the possibilities are endless!

Flavor Boosting Tips

• Add a dash of maple syrup or honey to baked or pan fried bison bacon.

• Coat slices with cracked pepper or chili powder before cooking.

• Fry a diced onion or shallot in the bacon grease.

• Toss cooked bacon with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or chives.

• Brush bacon with barbecue sauce or bourbon glaze the last few minutes of cooking.

FAQs

Got questions about cooking bison bacon? Here are some common FAQs:

Is bison bacon healthy?

Yes, bison is much lower in fat and calories compared to pork. It has tons of protein, iron, and B-vitamins.

What’s the best way to cook bison bacon?

Baking it in the oven is ideal, but you can also pan fry or microwave it. Avoid grilling since it’s so lean.

Why does my bison bacon stick to the pan?

Make sure to use some oil on the cooking surface. Overcrowding the pan can also cause sticking.

How can I make bison bacon crispy?

Cook it low and slow. Baking longer at 400°F or pan frying over medium-low heat provides the best crispness.

Is bison bacon expensive?

It’s more expensive than mass-produced pork bacon but supports sustainable family farms. Look for sales on bulk packages for cost savings.

Can I use bison bacon fat for cooking?

Absolutely! The rendered fat provides a wonderful flavor. Use it exactly as you would bacon grease.

The Takeaway

Bison bacon deserves a regular spot in your kitchen. It delivers big, bold bacon flavor with the health perks of bison meat. Simply cook it low and slow.