Traditional pemmican
Traditional pemmican is a concentrated, non-perishable food originating from Indigenous peoples of North America, particularly the Plains and Subarctic regions. It is made by combining lean, dried meat (typically bison, elk, or deer) with rendered animal fat and often mixed with berries like saskatoon or chokecherries.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Pemmican is an extremely energy-dense food, very high in fat and protein while being virtually carb-free (unless berries are added). It provides a massive calorie load in a small, lightweight package, with a single serving easily providing 300-500 kcal.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 370 kcal |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbs | 2 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Iron | 3.5 mg |
| Zinc | 4.2 mg |
| Potassium | 300 mg |
| Phosphorus | 250 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Selenium | 18 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 piece (approx. 57 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Pemmican is a brilliant example of ancestral food preservation and nutrition science, designed to provide complete sustenance for long journeys, harsh winters, or as trade goods. Its unique combination of dried meat and fat creates a nutritionally complete, shelf-stable food that can last for years without refrigeration.
