Bison Recipes: Ground Bison Meat Loaf - Healthy Comfort Food

Many Americans fondly remember their Mom's meat loaf -- a tasty mixture of ground beef, bread or crackers, eggs, and seasonings -- which is one reason it is often referred to as "comfort food." In recent years, as people have become more knowledgeable about the negative health consequences of saturated fat, traditional dishes like meat loaf have taken a back seat to main dishes that incorporate lower fat sources of protein.

Ground bison meat is a healthy alternative to ground beef that makes a delicious meat loaf, tender and moist but lower in fat than ground beef. A typical serving of meat loaf made with ground beef contains almost 20 grams of fat in a 6-ounce serving. Compare that to less than 10 grams of fat in a 6-ounce serving of ground bison meat loaf and you'll see why ground bison meat loaf is a better way to enjoy one of Mom's favorite dishes.

Here are a two flavorful bison meat loaf recipes, one savory and one sweet, that you're sure to enjoy, but don't be afraid to take Mom's meat loaf recipe and substitute ground bison meat. Just remember that because ground bison meat contains less fat, it will require a shorter cooking time than called for in your favorite beef meat loaf recipe. Also, ground bison meat is a bit more crumbly than ground beef so your ingredients may not bind as easily. Shredded carrots or shredded zucchini are healthy add-ins that will help keep your meat loaf moist.

This recipe is a class meat loaf adapted from a Betty Crocker recipe.

1 1/2 pounds ground bison
1 cup milk
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
3 slices bread, torn into small pieces
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Heat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients except barbecue sauce. Spread mixture in loaf pan or shape into 9x5-inch loaf in rectangular pan. Spread barbecue sauce over top. Bake approximately 1 hour.

This sweet and moist meat loaf recipe is adapted from one I found online and have since lost. It was called simply, "Apple Meat Loaf."

1 lb lean ground bison
1 apple, cored and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 to 1/2 cup shredded zucchini

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients. Place in loaf pan and bake 25-30 minutes.