With rising food costs, many consumers are looking to stretch their grocery budgets. Bison meat is growing in popularity as a lean, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional beef. But does switching to bison make economic sense, or will you pay a premium price for this hearty red meat?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your bison vs beef price question: Bison nearly always costs more per pound than beef. The average price of ground bison is $7-$9 per pound, while 85% lean ground beef averages $4-$5 per pound.
Bison’s price premium comes from its leanness, perceived health benefits, and the smaller size of the North American bison herd compared to commercial cattle.
Current Retail Prices of Bison Meat
Ground Bison Per Pound
Ground bison is one of the most affordable bison cuts, with prices typically ranging from $6 to $12 per pound. The lean ground meat is versatile and can be used to make burgers, chili, meatballs, tacos, and more.
Many natural foods stores and specialty butchers carry ground bison, though availability may vary by region. Expect to pay on the higher end of the price range at mainstream grocers that stock it. For reference, conventional 80/20 ground beef averages around $4 to $6 per pound.
Bison Steaks Per Pound
Bison steaks like ribeyes and New York strips deliver a rich, meaty flavor profile. But the premium experience comes at a premium price point. Bison ribeyes run $16 to $25+ per pound, while New York strips cost $18 to $30+ per pound on average.
Compare that to conventional beef ribeyes ($13 to $17 per pound) and strips ($15 to $20 per pound). Specialty retailers are typically the best places to find a good selection of premium bison steaks. You may pay even more at high-end restaurants that serve bison.
Other Bison Cuts
In addition to ground and steaks, some other notable bison cuts include roasts (around $9 to $14 per pound), brisket ($7 to $12 per pound), and short ribs ($6 to $10 per pound). Prices can fluctuate based on the specific cut and cut thickness.
Keep in mind portion sizes may be smaller with bison since the meat is extra lean. Bison flank steak, chuck roast, sirloin tip, and other middle meats tend to cost slightly less than the prime cuts mentioned earlier. But all bison cuts command a sizable premium over their beef counterparts.
What Impacts the Cost of Bison Meat
Smaller Herd Size
Compared to the plentiful cattle raised for beef production, the North American bison population is quite small. According to the National Bison Association (NBA), there were only around 400,000 bison in private herds in the U.S. as of 2019.
This limited supply makes bison meat more exclusive and drives prices higher.
Labor Intensive Handling
Handling bison requires more labor, infrastructure, and safety considerations compared to cattle. Since bison are less domesticated, elaborate holding facilities and chutes are necessary. Their skittish nature also necessitates slow, careful handling to minimize stress, injury, and meat quality issues.
These specialized requirements increase production costs.
Lack of Growth Hormones and Antibiotics
Using no growth hormones or antibiotics is standard practice for bison ranchers committed to all-natural, sustainable meat production. However, this also limits the speed and efficiency at which bison gain weight.
Slower growth cycles and lower dressed weights per animal contribute to bison meat’s loftier prices.
Increased Consumer Demand
Bison meat popularity has steadily risen due to its leanness, richness in nutrients like iron and zinc, and lack of drugs or chemicals. Per the NBA, demand for bison meat went up 21% from 2020 to 2021 alone. As more consumers vie for the restricted bison meat supply, market prices climb.
Supporting this niche industry can be worthwhile for people prioritizing high-quality food from small family ranchers over mass-produced beef.
Beef Cattle Prices and Industry Economics
Commodity Beef Overview
The beef industry is complex, with various factors influencing cattle prices and beef costs for consumers. Much of the beef sold in grocery stores comes from commodity cattle – animals raised in feedlots on grain to produce well-marbled cuts that consumers expect.
However, feeding cattle grain has become more expensive in recent years due to rising costs for corn and soy.
According to the USDA, the average live weight price per pound for beef cattle in 2022 was around $1.50. After processing, that price rises to $4-5 per pound at the grocery store once cuts are packaged.
So while cattle ranchers see relatively low prices, costs stack up across the beef supply chain before the product reaches consumers.
Ground Beef Price Fluctuations
Ground beef prices in particular have seen volatility recently. The average price for ground beef in January 2023 was $4.25 per pound – down over $1 from peaks in mid-2022 but still higher than the last five-year average of $3.70 per pound according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Experts attribute these price swings to factors like drought impacting cattle supplies, changes in consumer demand during the pandemic, processing plant labor shortages, and rising inflation across the entire food industry.
All these variables make predicting future ground beef prices difficult – prices could either plateau or see further spikes in the coming months.
Comparing Grass-Fed Beef to Bison
While most U.S. beef comes from feedlots, some ranches specialize in grass-fed cattle. Grass-fed beef often costs more than conventional beef – around 1.5 times higher per pound retail. However, some consumers appreciate the leaner, more environmentally friendly production methods of grass-fed beef compared to grain-fed.
Bison (often called buffalo) offer another red meat option that is becoming more popular. Commercial bison production has grown substantially in recent years, but it still makes up less than 1% of U.S. red meat consumption according to the National Bison Association.
However, with lower costs to raise than beef and health advantages over beef, demand for bison meat is increasing. Comparing average prices:
Beef (grain-fed commodity) | $4-5 per pound retail |
Beef (grass-fed premium) | $6-8+ per pound retail |
Bison | $9-12+ per pound retail |
So while bison fetches the highest prices, its leaner nutritional profile and lower environmental impact make it competitive with some premium beef options.
Health and Environmental Factors to Consider
Bison’s Nutrition and Leanness
Bison meat is much leaner and lower in fat and cholesterol compared to beef. A 3-ounce serving of bison has around 2.42 grams of fat, while the same amount of beef contains around 7.41 grams of fat (1).
The lower fat content is due to the fact that bison are naturally grass-fed and live more active lives than conventional cattle. Bison meat is also a great source of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12.
Lower Cholesterol and Fat
Multiple studies have confirmed the health benefits of bison over beef. One study found that eating bison instead of beef can lower “bad” LDL cholesterol by 10% and increase “good” HDL cholesterol by 15% over a period of just 5 months (2).
The lower saturated fat content of bison compared to beef is the main driver of these cholesterol-lowering effects.
Grass-Fed, Hormone and Antibiotic Free
As grazing animals, bison are naturally raised on open pastures and grass. This makes their meat free of added hormones or routine antibiotics that are commonly used in industrial cattle farming. Choosing grass-fed bison over conventional beef eliminates your exposure to these substances.
Grass-fed beef is a healthier alternative to conventional beef, but bison still comes out on top in terms of nutrition and leanness.
Smaller Environmental Impact
Compared to industrial beef production, raising bison has less impact on the environment. Bison produce less methane during digestion and their grazing habits promote biodiversity on grasslands (3). Unfortunately, real bison herds only occupy a tiny fraction of their historical range.
However, supporting bison ranchers helps provide an alternative to environmentally taxing feedlot-based cattle production. Even moderate substitution of beef for bison can help lower your diet’s carbon footprint.
Is the Higher Price of Bison Worth It?
Value Comparison of Bison Beef Burgers
When comparing the price per pound of bison ground meat versus beef, bison often costs nearly double the price. However, bison burgers pack a more impressive nutritional profile. Bison contains higher protein with less fat compared to beef – making it a healthier albeit pricier option.
An average bison burger provides 28g protein and 10g fat, while a similar sized beef burger offers 20g protein and 15g fat.
Steak and Roast Value Assessment
Evaluating bison steaks and roasts also reveals a significant price premium over beef. Bison steaks average $18-25 per pound, sometimes creeping over $30 per pound for tenderloin cuts. In comparison, beef steaks cost $7-15 on average.
The higher demand for bison’s leanness and perceived health benefits lets sellers command those lofty prices. However, a satisfying, deliciously prepared bison steak may justify the extra cost for special occasions. For routine cooking, cheaper beef works fine for most households.
Final Verdict: Sometimes It’s Worth Paying More
When comparing costs, bison clearly loses out to beef. But life isn’t only about pinching pennies. If your budget allows, bison offers exceptional texture and flavor. Both meats shine with the right cooking method.
While beef holds cost advantage for frequent consumption, thoughtful buyers may deem bison’s premium an occasional splurge worthwhile to enjoy its uniqueness.
Conclusion
While bison almost always costs more per pound compared to beef, its price premium comes with some health and sustainability benefits. Bison is lower in fat and cholesterol than beef, while being raised without hormones or routine antibiotics.
And since bison are efficiently grazed, many consider their environmental impact to be lower than cattle.
The higher retail price of bison aims to cover the increased costs of its labor-intensive handling and smaller overall herd size of this niche meat. While less economical than beef in terms of pure cost per pound, the unique nutritional qualities and grazing ecology of the bison make this hearty red meat worth splurging on once in awhile.