I've gone out to dinner on my birthday for as long as I can remember. It's just what we do. What we've always done.
There's no doubt I like eating out. I enjoy a break from the kitchen, I like getting waited on for a change, but it's expensive and just not as fun for me with 2 young kids (if I'm being honest.) I'd rather cook a good meal at home, even on my Birthday. So I'm starting a new tradition of cooking something new for myself on my day and the family is NOT allowed to complain. (They did anyway.)
This year I decided on Bison steaks.
I've never had one, not that I can remember anyway. They were on sale at the grocery store and surprisingly are a healthy choice!
Lower fat, higher protein, less calories, more iron? Who knew?
And the taste? Delicious! Well the husband and I thought so. Little Guy was on the fence but ate a few bites and didn't seem that tortured. I think he's just as that age where anything new is icky. Even the baby had a few small pieces I cut thin for him.
I will definitely be making them again. Here's what I did…
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 4 Bison Steaks
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
Mix the oil, Worcestershire sauce and onion powder. Rub it over the steak and set aside while preparing the rest of your dinner. Mine marinated about 20 minutes.
Heat the grill then lower the flame to medium. Salt and pepper the steak and lay on the grill. Cook about 7-8 minutes a side depending on thickness. Here's the recommendations from bisoncentral.com…
• 1" thick - Rare: 6 - 8 min. Medium: 8 - 10 min.
• 1 ½" thick - Rare: 8 - 10 min. Medium: 10 - 12 min.
• 2" thick - Rare: 10 - 12 min. Medium 14 - 18 min.
Mine were pink in the middle and perfectly tender.
There was one a little thinner that cooked more and it was a noticeable different in texture. Bison cooks faster than beef and I'm pretty sure it's worst enemy is how easy it is to overcook.
Alongside I roasted some fresh broccoli and baked potatoes before cooking the steaks.
It was a delicious meal that ended with a cupcake.
Notice my GIANT birthday candle. The Husband couldn't find anything else. lol
Afterwards I took a walk with all my boys..
It was such a nice evening and really, at this time in my life, al I want for my Birthday.
The next the day I made an amazing salad with the leftovers for lunch.
Bed of spinach with a vine ripen tomato, a bit of cheese, leftover bison steak and a splash of Italian dressing. Deliscious!!
That was my Bison Birthday Meal. 🙂 Any Bison lovers out there want to drop some knowledge on me? I would love to learn more about this unpopular meat (at least in my area.)
📖 Recipe
My Bison Steak Birthday Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 4 Bison Steaks
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Mix the oil, Worcestershire sauce and onion powder.2 teaspoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoon onion powder
- Rub it over the steak and set aside while preparing the rest of your dinner. Mine marinated about 20 minutes.4 Bison Steaks, Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper
- Heat the grill then lower the flame to medium. Salt and pepper the steak and lay on the grill. Cook about 7-8 minutes a side depending on thickness.
Aggie
This post reminded me of a birthday dinner out I had a few years ago. My kids were probably 3 and 1 or 4 and 2 "ish"...I wanted to be treated and wanted to go to Bonefish. Fast forward to dinner...we had our dinners put in to go boxes before they even made it to the table. You get the picture.
I would rather have dinner at home too. It's just more fun for the kids and with the kids in our environment. I love the pic of your cupcake and huge candle, cracked me up. Happy belated and great pics of your meal too!! 🙂
Tonia
Bison is available at Costco as well. It is lower in fat, higher in iron than beef. You can find lots of recipes and nutrition info at the National Bison Association website, and I believe that you can also find Bison Ranches in your area that sell meat too.
website is: http://www.bisoncentral.com
You are correct that the main downside is overcooking. It's easy to do, and it makes the meat tough.
There is also a slightly different taste to GRASS FED vs. GRAIN FED bison.
(I used to work for the National Bison Association, and so, i may be a little biased, but in the 7 years since, I still love it!) 😉
roni
Thanks Sammy! I was going to check out Wegmans and Trader Joes hoping they's have better options. I'll keep my eye out!
nacny
I visited my niece in Atlanta they took me to Ted's Montana Grill for my birthday and it was really good.
They give you homemade pickles instead of bread--lol.
In the Cincinnati area we have Buckhead Grill for bison.
I am single so it is easier for me to eat meat meals out (too hard to grill at apartment). I have heard that bison is much better for you than beef???
roni
Leslie - We used to have a Fuddrucker’s!! I loved it! I'd get the Ostrich burger all the time but it closed down for some reason. Now it's a Red Robin. 🙁
Maria in NJ
Happy Birthday Roni...
Sammy D
Bison tri-tip., if you can find it in your area is really yum yum yummy! Grill it on indirect heat with a rub of spices. Better than beef by far, tender and way healthier. Do you have a Whole Foods where you live? Where I am, here in Northern California, they carry different cuts at different locations. The sirloin is good, but tri-tip even better.
Leslie
Have you ever been to a Fuddrucker's restaurant? They offer buffalo, elk, and wild boar burgers. I've tried the buffalo, but none of the other "exotics." On the west coast, they also offer an ostrich burger.
erica
I beleive bison is similar to venison, I've had it but I Can't seem to remember what it tased like. My father is an avid hunter, so we get a free supply of venison and it is so much healthier tahn beef! You are correct in that it is best cooked on the rarer side! It cooks quickly & once it is over cooked it becomes very dry. My favorite way to season it is with a little olive oil, salt, black pepper, dried thyme & crushed juniper berries! I buy them from the bulk section of my local healht food store. I crush them in the coffee grinder but in a pinch you could use the back of a spoon. Then grill or pan sear. If you have never used juniper berries I suggest you give this a shot! It is sooo good!!!
roni
I found them in my regular, local grocery store but they only had one option in the corner by the more expensive beef. I'm going to check out Trader Joes next week and see if they carry them too.
Lauren T
I've had a bison burger at Ted's Montana Grill which is owned by Ted Turner. I really loved the bison burger, but haven't had bison since which is a shame! Can you find bison steaks at any grocery store, or do you have to go to a specialty grocery store?