Frequently Asked Questions
At Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Company, we know our customers care about quality, sustainability, and the story behind their food. Whether you’re new to big game meats or a longtime fan, you might have questions about sourcing, preparation, shipping, and nutrition. We’ve put together this FAQ to help you get the most out of your experience. If you don’t see your question answered here, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help.
Click a question below to see the answer
Our bison graze on natural grasses for most of their lives and are grain-finished for the final 60 days. The grain mix varies by region, based on what’s locally available and best suited to the area. This approach enhances the flavor, tenderness, and marbling of the meat—resulting in a consistently high-quality product while staying true to sustainable, regional practices.
That said, we do offer some grass-finished bison, which remain on pasture their entire lives. These cuts have a distinct flavor and leaner profile. Any grass-finished products are clearly labeled on our website, so you can choose the option that fits your preference.
We are based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where we’ve been proudly operating since 1947. This is our storefront and where all of our steaks are hand-cut, and our sausages and jerky are handmade using traditional techniques.
With decades of experience, we take pride in delivering high-quality, sustainably sourced bison and game meats straight from our shop in the Tetons. While Jackson Hole is our home, we ship nationwide—so whether you visit us in person or order online, you’re getting a true taste of the American West, prepared with care.
No—our sausages, jerky, and ground meats (burger) are 100% pure bison, venison, wild boar or elk, depending on the product you choose. We don’t mix in beef, fillers, or additives—just high-quality, lean game meat.
The one exception is our hot dogs, which are 80% bison and 20% pork. This small amount of pork allows them to be classified as hot dogs rather than sausages while maintaining the rich, natural flavor of bison.
We sell regular buffalo meat, also known as bison meat. In North America, the terms "buffalo" and "bison" are often used interchangeably, but our meat comes from American bison (Bison bison)—not water buffalo. If you're looking for high-quality, sustainably raised bison meat, you're in the right place.
Bison, venison and elk are healthier red meats, even in comparison to grass-fed beef. Because they’re native species, they also have a lighter environmental footprint.
We have a full comparison guide to illustrate the differences between bison and beef.
Click on this link to see our essentials guide to cooking game meat.
Ground bison is leaner than beef, so it cooks faster and requires lower heat to stay tender and juicy. Cook it over medium to medium-low heat, aiming for medium-rare to medium (130-140°F) to prevent dryness. Because it has less fat, you may want to add a little butter or oil when cooking. When making burgers, handle the meat gently and avoid overworking it for the best texture. Bison browns quickly, so keep an eye on it, and enjoy its rich, slightly sweet flavor in everything from burgers to chili.
Click here for an essential guide to cooking ground bison meat.
Click here for an essential guide to cooking ground elk meat.
Yes, when we ship you your order, it will arrive frozen. It is possible to cook steak from frozen. Here is a guide.
Bison aren’t raised like cattle, and that’s a good thing.
Unlike beef, which comes from an industry processing 36 million animals per year, the bison industry is small—only 85,000 bison are harvested annually, making up just 0.2% of the beef market. This rarity, combined with how bison are raised, is what makes the meat so special.
Bison are never confined to feedlots, and they aren’t manipulated like factory-farmed animals. By federal law, American bison cannot receive growth stimulants. Unlike cattle, they aren’t branded, castrated, artificially inseminated, or dehorned. They aren’t selectively bred for uniformity either. They grow at nature’s pace, roaming the land as they always have.
This means bison take longer to reach market weight, and because the industry operates on a much smaller scale, processing is more costly. But the result is a leaner, more nutrient-rich meat, raised with care and respect for the animal.
When you buy bison, you’re not just getting a premium cut of meat—you’re supporting the return of an iconic species to the American landscape.
All of our commonly asked questions about shipping are on our shipping FAQ page.
At the Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Company, we have proudly upheld our reputation for over 75 years by consistently delivering top-quality products, providing exceptional service, and prioritizing customer satisfaction. Our commitment is reflected in our Satisfaction Guarantee. If your order is not up to your standards, arrives damaged, or fails to meet your expectations in any way, we will do whatever it takes to make it right. We understand that you have choices in where to spend your money, and we sincerely appreciate your support. If you have any questions, concerns, or issues, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach us via email or by calling 1-800-543-6328. Our dedicated team is here to assist you in any way we can.