About The Honest Bison
Attention, meat-lovers! The Honest Bison brings 100% grass-fed bison to the table, along with farm-raised elk and venison. The brand sources animals that are raised naturally and processed minimally, for a farm-to-home experience. Their products have been featured in various magazines, including Men’s Health, and they’re also Whole30 and paleo-approved.
Initially a meat distributor, they now sell a variety of Chef’s Boxes which are curated collections of meats, ground meats, sausages, jerky, as well as individual cuts of meat. The Honest Bison meat review will provide a thorough overview of the company itself and their bestsellers, to help you decide if it’s worth a try.
Overview of The Honest Bison
When Sean Lenihan founded The Honest Bison, it was with a simple mission in mind: to provide everyone with access to quality food they can trust. The company started out in 2012 with just bison, and have since branched out to other meats and related products. They’ve grown since then, and now have their own 50-acre bison ranch in Cadott, Wisconsin.
The company also has partnerships with ranchers in South Dakota and Oregon. They emphasize that although The Honest Bison venison and The Honest Bison elk meat are farm-raised, the animals forage freely.
The Honest Bison meat review will take a closer look at the pros and cons, so you have the basics up front.
Pros
- High quality, 100% grass-fed meat
- No antibiotics, hormones, or feedlots
- No overprocessing
- Supporting sustainable farming and meat distribution
- Recipes available on the website
Cons
- Price may be higher for the average consumer (understandably so…)
- Shipping only in the US so if you’re in Canada or overseas you’ll have to wait until they expand
The Honest Bison meat review will highlight a selection of bison, elk, and venison cuts. The delicious meats you’re about to see might make you hungry.
The Honest Bison Tomahawk Bison Steak
This steak looks mouthwatering, and that’s in part because they’ve seared it to perfection for the product photo-op… but I wouldn’t expect them to sell meat using only images of the raw cuts! The Tomahawk Bison Steak is essentially a ribeye, however, the Honest Bison butchers leave a good portion of the bone with this cut, making the dining experience feel a little more… primal.
At this point you might be wondering, what does bison meat taste like? Bison is higher in protein than beef, and is rich in vitamins, omega-3 fats, antioxidants, and minerals. The taste is similar to beef, but with a coarser texture, less oily, slightly sweeter and more delicate. Some describe the flavor as earthy, likely due to the higher iron content. The Tomahawk Bison Steak rings in at $44, and is a 16 oz cut (10 oz without bone).
The Honest Bison Bison Ribeye Steak
If bones aren’t your thing, another option is the Bison Ribeye Steak. It’s $30 for a 9 oz steak, which is pretty reasonable for 100% grass-fed meat. It’s likely higher quality than a beef ribeye from a high-end restaurant, at around the same price or less. Although you have to cook it yourself, you can rest easy knowing that the meat is minimally processed, and raised naturally.
With a heap of herb-roasted veggies, wild mushrooms, and garlic, I’m sure the Bison Ribeye Steak would be an absolute home run of a meal. Speaking of cooking, you may be wondering, is Bison safe to eat medium rare? The Honest Bison actually recommends cooking it rare to medium rare. Due to the leanness of the meat, it can dry out quicker than beef.
The Honest Bison Elk Burgers
Who doesn’t love a good burger? Put down that 12-pack of frozen patties… Elk Burgers are a great alternative, flavorful and juicy. Like bison, elk has more protein than beef, tons of vitamins and minerals, and much less fat, making it an overall healthier meat. It’s recommended to cook both elk and bison at lower temperatures than beef to retain juiciness, due to the lower fat content.
The Honest Bison Elk Burgers cost $16 for a 1 lb pack of 3. That’s actually less than it’d cost for a single burger in an upscale restaurant, so the price isn’t too bad, taking that in consideration. The flavor of the meat is quite the statement on its own, so you won’t need much in the way of toppings or add-ons for these burgers—but if you’re all about the fixings, have at it.
The Honest Bison Elk Medallion
Another popular cut is the Elk Medallion, and they’re an excellent choice for pan-frying or grilling. There are two options for the medallion cut: you can get the original 6 oz for $15, or the 7 oz for $16, which is wrapped in uncured bacon for an extra dollar.
Yum, it’s absolutely glistening! Writing this The Honest Bison meat review is making me hungry… The mere thought of bacon wrapped elk is tempting, let alone the photos of beautifully cooked and plated meat. As a bonus, the fat from the bacon adds an extra layer of juiciness and flavor to the meat, making it even more delectable.
The Honest Bison Venison Loin
So… What is venison, anyway? This term used to refer to the meat of game animals, but now tends to be used interchangeably with elk or deer. The Honest Bison has elk and venison categories, so it’s definitely deer we’re talking about here. It’s known for having a rich and earthy taste, smoother and firmer in texture than beef. The Venison Loin in particular is described as having an exquisite tenderness.
The Venison Loin is priced at $20 for a 6 oz cut. I’m drooling, but as of writing The Honest Bison meat review, it’s unfortunately out of stock. On the product page, you can sign up with your email to receive notifications when it’s available.
The Honest Bison Venison Filet Mignon
Ah, filet mignon, arguably one of the most famous cuts. Known for its tenderness due to the lack of connective tissue, and a higher price tag, the Venison Filet Mignon comes to $13 for 3 oz. This cut has a pleasantly lean, rich, and delicate taste.
When you can get double the meat for only $2 more if you go for the medallion, it might not seem worth it, but it’s the kind of dish you can break out on special occasions. Sadly, the filet mignon is also out of stock as of writing this The Honest Bison meat review.
The Honest Bison Epic Griller
Onto the package deals! The Epic Griller is one of the bestsellers on The Honest Bison, and is one of their Chef’s Boxes. For $280 you receive:
- 2 Bison New York Steaks (9 oz each)
- 2 Bison Tenderloin Tips (16 oz package)
- 2 Bison Skirt Steaks (1 lb package each)
- 4 Bison Medallions (6 oz each)
- 6 Bison Burgers (1/3 lb each)
- 3 Elk Burgers (1/3 lb each)
- 3 Venison Burgers (1/3 lb each)
- 1 Saffi Foods Olive Oil (8 oz bottle)
- Free Standard Shipping
That’s a lot of meat! Since it’s frozen though, it’ll last a long time, and with meat this delicious, I have a feeling it won’t be difficult to get through it all. When working out the price of the Epic Griller, if you were to buy each item individually, it’s just a few dollars less to get the box.
The main advantage is receiving a curated selection, so you save the time you might spend searching through the different cuts. The Honest Bison meat review is imagining the epic grilling experience with this collection. Yum.
The Honest Bison Meal Prepper
The Honest Bison is a proponent of the Whole30 and paleo diets, so of course they’re offering a box to help you embark on those lifestyle changes. The Meal Prepper box includes:
- 4 Ground Bison (1 lb each)
- 4 Elk Sirloin Steaks (10 oz each)
- 1 Bison Short Ribs (3 lbs each)
- 1 Bison Tenderloin Tips (1 lb package)
- 2 packs of Bison Bratwurst – Sugar Free (4 links in each 12.8 once package, 8 links total)
- 2 packs of Uncured Bison Bacon Breakfast Strips (8 oz each)
- Free Standard Shipping
The total comes to $200, but you’re getting a lot of meat in sheer weight. Perfect for anyone who wants to stay on top of their protein macros and vitamin/mineral micronutrients. Having this much food in bulk is crucial to meal prep and planning, which is key to staying on track with healthier food choices. This is a great option for athletes as well as the average person wanting to make a healthy change.
The Honest Bison Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
The majority of The Honest Bison meat reviews can be found on TrustPilot, where they have a 4.7/5-star rating. One customer left a long review praising the quality of the meat and the customer service. They also noted, It is a little more pricey than your local grocery BUT the QUALITY is worth it so you get what you pay for. Another was short and sweet: Quality meat. Shipping was fast and the meat arrived nicely frozen and well packed.
Overall, customers are very happy with their orders, some even point out that they value how the company respects the land and animals. Others specified that they’ve recommended the company to friends and family. The Honest Bison meat review found that 87% of the reviews are 5-stars, which is a pretty solid track record.
Reviews elsewhere on the internet are quite favorable overall, and the few negative reviews were mostly complaints about shipping issues.
A couple of reviews said the meat was tough, and to one such customer they responded with an explanation that leaner game meats are easy to overcook which can result in them becoming tougher than you’d expect. That’s a reasonable enough reply.
Is The Honest Bison Worth It?
Well, you might be wondering, is bison the same as beef? It truly isn’t, and I think that justifies the higher price point for bison, elk, and venison. The Honest Bison puts a lot of effort and time into ensuring that their meats are well-sourced, 100% grass-fed, and not overly processed. Their core values of transparency, respect, and purity are apparent throughout the whole experience.
If you like beef and just want to try something new, or if you’re an adventurous eater, it’s worth trying, and The Honest Bison makes it easy. You might be able to find a restaurant serving these specialty meats, but at a hefty markup, and sometimes without the guarantee that the meat is locally sourced or grass-fed. Overall, The Honest Bison meat review says yes, just do it.
The Honest Bison Promotions & Discounts
I know what you’re thinking of looking up right now, an Honest Bison promo code. Unfortunately no such promotion exists on the website itself, and as of writing this article there’s only one deal available: when you sign up for their newsletter, you’ll receive a gift with your first order.
The Honest Bison meat review also discovered a point system. For every dollar spent you earn 1 point, and these can be applied to future purchases for a discount.
Where to Buy The Honest Bison
You can buy meat directly from TheHonestBison.com. The company is also partnered with Amazon Fresh and Out of the Box Collective in Southern California as well. They also have a wholesale program for restaurants and chefs.
FAQ
What is The Honest Bison’s Shipping Policy?
Standard shipping throughout the 48 continental United States costs $19, regardless of the amount of meat you order. These orders are shipped on Mondays and Tuesdays, so you should expect your order to arrive within 5-10 days depending on when you ordered. Alternatively, there are three expedited shipping options available:
- Fast: $27 (Generally arrives in 2 days unless it’s over a weekend)
- Faster: $47 (Generally arrives the next day depending on what time/day you order)
- Saturday: $50
There’s a $150 minimum order, because the meat is packed in dry ice and shipped in temperature-controlled vehicles, making it a pricey delivery process.
What is The Honest Bison’s Return Policy?
The process of returning meat from The Honest Bison is pretty simple. If you’re not happy with your order within 3 days of receiving it, you can contact them about returns and refunds. The Honest Bison customer service will take it from there.
How to Contact The Honest Bison
If you have questions that weren’t covered in The Honest Bison meat review, you can contact the team by:
- Calling or texting 360-399-6363
- Emailing customer.service@thehonestbison.com
- Messaging on Instagram @thehonestbison
- Filling out the contact form on TheHonestBison.com
If you would rather opt for traditional grass fed and non-processed meat, check out ButcherBox.
