Frequently Asked Questions
ORDERS AND DELIVERY
Do you deliver to my area?We currently deliver bison meat to the Northern Colorado front range and Cheyenne.
How much does delivery cost?Delivery options are presented at checkout
When I order, how long is it until I receive my bison meat?You should expect to receive your order within 2-3 business days. If you need a priority order, please call or email: sales@memphisranch.com
Do you ship?Nationwide shipping is available, and the options are available at checkout.
Shipping occurs on Monday to minimize the risk of a shipment getting stuck over the weekend.
Will my order arrive fresh or frozen?Your order will be delivered and arrive frozen in insulated packaging. However, we recommend that you place your order in a refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?You can be home or not – your choice. We will leave your order on your doorstep either way. Please let us know if you have a designated spot where you would like your order left.
Do you offer contactless delivery?All our deliveries are contactless. We will let you know an approximate time to expect your order. We will set it on your doorstep and ring your doorbell or knock when we arrive. We will not hang around to wait for you to answer the door. If you prefer, we will call or text you.
What payment methods do you accept?We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, Shop Pay, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal.
COOKING and EATING
What does bison meat taste like?
Bison meat tastes like beef, with a fuller flavor. You might describe it as a cleaner tasting, healthier meat, too. It has no gamey taste, unlike some wild animals. Some describe it as a sweet, rich flavor.
Since it has less fat than beef, bison meat will soak up more of a marinade’s flavor, too, making for flavor creations that beef can’t compete with.
Can you eat bison medium rare?We recommend that you follow the National Bison Association’s recommendations when cooking bison:
“Ground bison meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160°F and the juices should be clear, not red. Roasts and steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145° F (medium rare) or 160°F (medium). The oven should be set at around 275°F.”
See more details at: https://bisoncentral.com/how-to-cook-bison/
Can bison burgers be pink?A properly cooked bison burger should still be dark pink in the middle and brown on the outside. The internal temperature should be 160°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer. If cooked until it is brown all the way through, your burger will be too dry.
Does bison cook like beef?Bison meat cooks differently than beef. Bison has a very minimal fat content and should be cooked over lower heat than beef. But remember, if cooking a burger, a ground bison burger will cook more quickly than a ground beef burger.
If you want to swap bison meat into a recipe that calls for beef, you may need to experiment with cooking temperatures to avoid overdone meat. In general, bison meat cooks faster than beef because there is little fat in the bison meat to act as an insulator. As a result, lower temperatures are needed, sometimes by about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
We recommend rare to medium rare for tender cuts; less tender cuts may need slower, moister heat. To cook specific cuts:
- Bison Burgers/Ground Bison – Cook over lower heat than a beef burger or ground beef. There will be minimal fat in the pan, meaning faster cooking, and the ground bison meat will shrink less than ground beef.
- Bison Steaks – Cook over high heat for a short amount of time, and you’ll probably only need to turn the bison steak once. Remember that bison meat will cook faster than beef at high heat, because bison meat has less fat.
- Bison Roasts – Cook on low, moist heat around 300°F, +25°F. When the meat reaches 140°F to 150°F, it will be medium-rare. Keep in mind that larger cuts of meat like roasts tend to keep cooking after they come out of the oven, rising by 5°F to 10°F. Adjust accordingly for your target level of doneness.
HEALTH and NUTRITION
Is your bison meat organic?
We cannot claim to be organic. However, our bison are raised without the use of any chemicals. We do not use antibiotics or hormones. (Federal law prohibits the use of hormones in bison.)
How does bison compare nutritionally to beef, pork, or chicken?We have a great post for you! Click here to see a comparison: https://memphis ranch.com/nutrition
PROCESSING and PACKAGING
Do you process the meat?
All our meat is processed in a federally inspected facility and carries the USDA mark of inspection on the label.
How is your meat packaged?All our cuts are individually placed in vacuum packaging and immediately frozen.
STORAGE
How is your meat stored?
Our storage facility is licensed and inspected by the State of Colorado. We hold a Retail Food Establishment License, the same as a grocery store. Our refrigeration equipment is commercial, and temperatures are monitored and maintained between -20° and -30°.
How long can frozen meat be stored?Following are two critical statements from the USDA:
“Because freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, recommended storage times are for quality only.”
“Freezer storage is for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely."