Game meat, bison, top sirloin, separable lean only, trimmed to 0" fat, raw
Whole food · Lamb, Veal, and Game Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Bison top sirloin is a lean, deep-red cut from the animal's hip, prized for its rich, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor that's more robust than beef but less gamey than venison. The texture is fine-grained and tender when cooked properly, with a clean, meaty finish. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse, delivering over 21 grams of high-quality protein per 100 grams with minimal fat and zero carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 80% protein · 0% carbs · 20% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love bison for its clean, pronounced beef-like flavor that feels indulgent yet virtuous. Its leanness makes it incredibly versatile for quick-searing, grilling, or using in stir-fries where it absorbs marinades beautifully.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its extreme leanness means it can dry out and toughen quickly if overcooked, which can be disappointing for those used to fattier beef cuts. To counteract this, use a meat thermometer, cook to medium-rare or medium, and let it rest after cooking. It's also a red meat, so those monitoring saturated fat intake for specific health reasons should practice portion control.
Key benefits
- Exceptionally high in protein for muscle maintenance and satiety
- Very low in fat, especially saturated fat, compared to conventional beef
- Naturally zero carbohydrates and sugar, suitable for ketogenic and carnivore diets
- Good source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins like B12
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
A single adult bison can produce about 225 pounds of boneless meat, and its heart weighs nearly 4 pounds—about three times the size of a human heart.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 74.4 g |
| Energy | 113 kcal |
| Energy | 473 kj |
| Protein | 21.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 2.4 g |
| Ash | 1.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 5.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 203 mg |
| Potassium, K | 335 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 51.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.15 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 25.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.26 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 2.3 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 3.0 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.05 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.01 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.89 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.34 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.40 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.99 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.90 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.22 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.21 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 71.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.88 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.90 g |
| Leucine | 1.7 g |
| Lysine | 1.7 g |
| Methionine | 0.51 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.80 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.69 g |
| Valine | 0.97 g |
| Arginine | 1.3 g |
| Histidine | 0.57 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.1 g |
| Glycine | 1.0 g |
| Proline | 0.85 g |
| Serine | 0.81 g |
FAQ
How does bison taste different from beef?
Bison has a richer, slightly sweeter, and more earthy flavor than beef. It's often described as cleaner and less fatty, with a subtle gaminess that's milder than other wild game.
What's the best way to cook lean bison top sirloin?
Due to its low fat content, quick, high-heat methods are ideal. Grill, broil, or pan-sear it to medium-rare (135°F internal temperature) and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Is bison meat healthier than beef?
Generally, yes. Bison is typically lower in total fat, calories, and saturated fat while being higher in protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, especially if the animal was grass-fed.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.13 kcal/g · 76% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.15 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.