Can You Reheat Bison?

Grass-fed bison or buffalo is a delicious, lean meat that you can substitute for beef in most recipes.

However, because bison meat is not marbled with fat like beef, you may wonder whether it’s a good idea to reheat it after cooking.

The good news is that you can reheat bison meat, so long as you take care not to overcook it when reheating. The greatest danger is allowing the meat to dry out, as it will become dense and chewy.

At the same time, ensure that any leftover meat reaches an internal temperature of 165⁰F, or else it may be at risk of bacterial contamination.

Let’s look at the best ways to reheat bison.

The Best Ways To Reheat Bison

Because bison is similar to beef, you can reheat it as you would beef. Here are some helpful tips when reheating bison:

Like beef, the best way to reheat bison meat depends on the cut of meat you have used and how you cooked it.
A general rule of thumb for reheating meat is to use the same method of reheating as the original cooking method: if you roasted your meat, it’s probably best to reheat it in the oven.
Always heat meat from room temperature – if you have refrigerated or frozen the cooked meat, allow it to thaw and then reheat.
Cooked bison will keep in the fridge for three to four days. If you want to keep it longer, it’s better to freeze it.

Microwave

Best for: Ground bison dishes
Heat: Low

The microwave is probably the go-to kitchen device for reheating food, whether it’s leftovers or a frozen meal you’re thawing.

You can use a microwave to reheat bison meat, so long as you keep the power on low and heat in short bursts, stopping to stir the dish and distribute the heat frequently.

Reheating using a microwave oven works best for saucy dishes using ground bison meat, for example, chili or Bolognese, as they won’t dry out quickly.

However, you can also reheat bison burgers in the microwave, flipping them after 30 to 60 seconds to make sure they are heated through.

Stove

Best for: Ground bison dishes, stews, casseroles
Heat: Medium to medium-low

If you’re made a stew or casserole with bison meat, the best way to reheat it is on the stove. Put the leftovers in a pot and turn the stove to low or medium at the most.

Heat the meat well, adding additional broth or stock if necessary to keep the stew moist. Cover to retain extra moisture, stirring now and again until warmed through. Check the internal temperature before serving.

It is possible, but not ideal, to heat steak on the stove. Begin by heating some broth in a shallow pan. Once it is simmering, add your steak and warm it through for a couple of minutes.

Using A Plastic Bag

Best for: Single servings
Heat: Medium to medium-low

If you have only a single serving of meat to heat up, whether it’s ground bison or a steak, one way of heating the meat and keeping it moist is by using a plastic bag.

Place your bison meat in a resealable plastic bag suitable for heating (free from BPA chemicals). Squeeze as much air out as possible, then seal the bag tightly.

Meanwhile, heat a pot of water on the stove until simmering. Lower the bag of meat into the pot and allow it to heat through for four to eight minutes, or until thoroughly warmed.

Oven

Best for: Steak, rounds, burgers
Heat: Low to medium-low

Bison steaks are a delightfully tender cut, especially when grilled or seared to medium or medium-rare to maintain their juiciness.

If you want to reheat a steak or round of bison meat, you will need to take care to retain the moisture, so keep the oven low, around 250⁰F.

Place your steaks in an ovenproof dish and heat, covered with a tent of aluminum foil. Heating the steaks will take about 30 minutes until the internal temperature of the steaks reaches 110⁰F. Remove the steaks from the oven. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

To crisp the steaks again, it’s best to sear them briefly. Heat a heavy-based skillet with a glug of vegetable oil until smoking. Sear the steaks for a minute or so on each side.

Let the steaks rest before serving.

On The Grill

Best for: Steak, burgers
Heat: Medium-high

Reheating your burgers or steak on the grill is possible if you heat the meat quickly so that it doesn’t have time to dry out.

Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Place your burger patties or steak on the grill and reheat for approximately a minute per side.

Never press down on or squeeze the burgers or steak while reheating, as this forces the natural moisture out of the meat, leaving it dry and flavorless.

Reheating Methods To Avoid With Bison

Do not reheat bison meat in a slow cooker or chafing dish as these devices will not reheat the meat to 165⁰F. Allowing the bison to heat to only between 40 and 140⁰F is dangerous, as bacteria develop at these temperatures.

So, Can You Reheat Bison?

Reheating bison meat is a good idea if you don’t overcook and dry out the meat. Try microwaving ground bison dishes, heating stews on the stovetop, warming steak in the oven, and reheating burgers on the grill.

Can You Reheat Bison?