Name: Dutch Oven Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs bison (ground ); 1 lb Italian sausage (ground - I used mild); 2 eggs; 1 cup onion (yellow diced); ⅓ cup celery (diced (2 ribs)); ½ cup panko; 2 tbsp parsley (chopped); ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp pepper; ½ tsp granulated garlic; 8 slices bacon (thick cut peppered)

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Dutch Oven Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf

Our Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe is a great start for a meal on your next vacation. As someone who frequently relies on a Dutch oven to cook meals around the campfire, I can say that this recipe takes outdoor cooking to a whole new level. The combination of bison meat and bacon, packs a punch. When cooked in a Dutch oven the flavors meld together make a meal that you won’t soon forget.

The beauty of this Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe lies not just in its taste but also in its how easy it is to cook. Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or simply preparing a backyard feast, this dish requires minimal fuss. The Dutch oven evenly distributes heat ensuring that your meatloaf is cooked to perfection every time. The bacon wrapping locks in moisture, preventing the bison meat from drying out. No more charred or tough meatloaves here!

The secret to nailing this Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe lies in its carefully chosen ingredients and the method of slow-cooking it over an open flame. Start with high-quality bison meat, known for being leaner and richer than beef. Season it with your favorite herbs and spices to enhance its natural flavors. Then give it the royal treatment by wrapping it in bacon, offering a smoky, crispy contrast to the tender meat within.

Table of Contents

Cooking Instructions For the Dutch Oven Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf

The first step of making the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf, so you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand.
If using embers, get a large fire going using (preferably) hardwood and let it slowly burn down. This process from start to finish can take upwards of an hour.

If using charcoals, fill a large chimney starter and light. This process will take approximately 20 minutes to get all the coals hot and ready. You will likely want to have some charcoals available in reserve.
Add A grill grate for your Dutch oven or a tripod to hang it over the fire
Crumble the beef and sausage into a large Dutch oven or mixing bowl. Add the eggs, onions, celery, panko, parsley, salt, pepper, and granulated garlic to the meat in the bowl. Mix well until combined.

Add the meatloaf mixture to the Dutch oven, making sure it is even and smoothed.
Cover and bake for an hour and 15 minutes. Remove the top and lattice weave or layer the peppered bacon over the top of the meatloaf; trimming if necessary. Use trimmed pieces to fill in any holes or gaps.
Cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes. With 15 minutes remaining, remove the lid, allowing the bacon to crisp up.

Once done, remove from oven and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before servings.

Ingredients

ground bison
Italian sausage
eggs
onion
celery
panko
parsley
salt
pepper
garlic
bacon

Dutch Oven Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf

5 Reasons I Love the Dutch Oven Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf

1. It is delicious

If you like meat, you will like Bison. People describe Bison meat as tasting comparable to beef but richer and somewhat sweeter. However, because bison is so thin, it is crucial not to overcook it. Bison should not be cooked beyond medium. Of course, if you use ground Bison, this isn’t an issue.

Some people are afraid that Bison will have a gamey flavor comparable to venison; however, I have never found this to be the case. Bison, in my opinion, tastes better than any meat I’ve ever tasted. Bison meat is denser, richer in flavor, and more satisfying than beef, in my opinion.

2. Lean Protein

Food guidelines advocate bison as a lean protein alongside skinless chicken breast and other wild game meats, and for good reason. 100g of lean bison contains just 2.42g of fat, compared to 8.09g in lean beef and 9.66g in lean pig. The same 100g of bison contains just 82mg of cholesterol, compared to 86mg in the same quantity of lean beef, pig, and chicken. If you want to keep things lean and clean, Bison is an excellent choice. Figures sourced from the Canadian Bison Association website.

3. Lot’s of the Good Stuff Inside

In addition to being lean as well as low in cholesterol, bison is high in iron (3.42mg per 100g lean meat compared to 2.99mg in beef, 1.1mg in pork, 0.6mg in chicken, and.34mg in salmon), vitamin B12, B6, Niacin, and Zinc. Bison’s high iron content makes it an ideal choice for both men and women who suffer from anemia. In 2018, Thehealthy.com (part of Reader’s Digest) identified bison as one of the 13 Superfoods Every Healthy Woman Needs in Her Diet because women are more susceptible to anemia, and bison delivers a high iron, low-fat choice to help address this issue.

Bison are raised without growth stimulants or hormones and are not regularly fed antibiotics.

4. It’s Sustainable

Bison are raised sustainably, contributing to the land’s development and biodiversity rather than depleting it. Because practically all of a bison’s nutritional demands can be supplied by *feeding on native perennial plants that grow natively in Canada, there is no need to overfertilize the soil. These grassland ecosystems would often be exploited for monoculture cultivation, such as grain or soybeans. Some monoculture farms have even been turned into more biodiverse bison grazing areas.

Raising a bison cow and her young requires between four and sixteen hectares of grazing space. However, bison live on, consume, and fertilize these enormous grasslands. Compare this to other commercial farming approaches that confine animals to limited quarters and raise their feed on monoculture farms. To be sustainable, these monoculture agricultural processes require a lot of acreage and artificial fertilizers. Of course, the feed must be moved from the farm to the animals.

5. You Already Know What To Do With It

One might be telling yourself, “This seems wonderful, but what do I do with it?” That is an excellent question. But here’s the thing: You are already aware of what to do with it. Let me ask you something: Have you ever cooked beef? If you said yes, you have your answer. You may make the same dishes you’ve always used; just substitute Bison for the protein. It is that easy.

Bison, The Meat of The Future.

Nutritional Facts for Meat Groups

I’ve been cooking with bison for more than a decade, at private dinners, and at home, and I’ve always liked it. An observation that has impressed me over the years is that bison ought to be more widely recognized than it is, and I believe it is about to be. I believe that as consumers seek for more sustainable meals and leaner meats, bison will gain appeal. There is a growing trend, and for good cause, of eating higher quality meat in lesser quantities. Bison, with its high caloric density and unquestionable quality, is the ideal protein for this future dietary standard.

If you’ve ever spotted Bison at the grocery store, thought about it, but then passed it up because you didn’t know what to do with it or how it would taste, I hope this has given you a reason to reconsider. I hope you try it because I am convinced that you will be pleased with the results.

Grass-fed, regenerative bison meat is superior in flavor, protein content, and nutritional density. Bison is a lean, soft, naturally tasty meat with a deeper taste profile and darker color than beef. Bison meat, unlike that of other exotic species, lacks a “gamey” or wild flavor and is typically thought to be sweeter. Bison meat is interchangeable in almost any red meat dish.

Bison steaks cook around 1/3 faster than beef steaks due to their thinner nature. Bison steaks are best cooked medium-rare (135°F)/medium (145°F) to keep the meat’s moisture and taste – this means taking the meat off the fire when it is approximately 5 to 10 degrees below your ideal temperature to account for the rise in temperature while it rests.

Bison Cooking Guidelines

Chart Showing Various Cuts of Bison

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Steaks (Grill, Broil, or Pan-Broil)

Use steak ¾ to 1 inch thick
Place in lightly oiled skillet and use medium heat on stove top
Place bison on BBQ or 6 inches from the heat source in broiler
Cook 4 – 5 minutes per side

To increase tenderness, marinate sirloin tip and inside round steaks for 8- 24 hours

Roasts (Sirloin Tip, Inside Round)

Sear roast in oven at 500°F (260°C) or on stove in a hot pan
Season roast, add ¼ cup (50 mL) of liquid (water or red wine)
Roast at 325°F (165°C) in covered pan or place in slow cooker
Cook roast to medium rare 145°F (63°C)

Roasts (Rib, Loin and Tenderloin)

Use uncovered pan with rack
Season as desired to taste
Cook at 275°F (135°C)
Do not cook past medium 155°F (68°C)

Burger

Cook ground meats to 160°F (70°C) internal temperature
Make sure all patties sit flat on grill for entire cooking time.
Cooking equipment should maintain temperature of 375°F (190°C) even when loading continuously with frozen patties
Ground bison should always be cooked until no pink remains

Dutch Oven Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf

Natural versus Organic—Bison Meat is Meat Raised Naturally

The term ‘natural’ does not mean the same as certified organic. Under Canadian labelling guidelines, a ‘natural’ or ‘naturally raised’ label claim is allowed only if animals were raised with minimal human intervention, such as bison. While we can’t claim our bison meat as certified organic, we can say that our products are about as natural and unprocessed as you can get.

Bison Meat Benefits

Bison meat is one healthy protein, but don’t just take our word for it. The U.S. and Canada’s food guides recommends bison meat as a ‘heart healthy lean protein’ for anyone, and many nutritional experts tout bison as ‘a step above beef when it comes to sustainability, heart health and even taste.’ Nutrient-dense bison meat is healthy because it’s:

Bison is lean meat with a similar texture, flavor, and appearance to beef, but its impressive nutrient profile uniquely supports an active lifestyle. With no carbs, only 2.1g of fat, and a whopping 24 grams of high-quality protein per serving, the health benefits of bison meat are extensive.

Promotes Muscle Recovery

The main appeal of bison is its high quality protein content. . Protein is essential for helping your muscles recover from a tough workout. With the high-quality protein that bison contains, your body can use it for muscle synthesis and utilize the naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

Supports Bone Strength

Protein has been shown to have a positive association with bone strength, especially within the senior demographic. With bison possessing a very pure and high-quality source of protein, regularly consuming this lean meat can help improve muscle mass and bone strength, keeping individuals—particularly seniors—active and independent.

Great Source of Zinc

Just a 4-ounce bison patty can provide over 3 milligrams of zinc—an essential mineral for your immune system, metabolism, and healing wounds. Zinc from meat sources, such as bison, is more bioavailable than from vegetarian sources, which means that bison provides a form of zinc that’s easy for your body to absorb and utilize in the body.

Preventative Against Anemia

Anemia is associated with low intake or poor absorption of vitamin B12. Since bison is a good source of iron and vitamin B12, consuming it can help you avoid becoming anemic and experiencing symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, dizziness, paleness, and a rapid heart rate.

Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf Recipe

FAQ For the Dutch Oven Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf

Here are five FAQs for the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe:

Q: What ingredients are needed for the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe?
A: For the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe, you will need ground bison, bacon, breadcrumbs, eggs, diced onions, garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and any preferred herbs and spices such as thyme or parsley.

Q: How do I prepare the ground bison for the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe?
A: For the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe, mix ground bison with breadcrumbs, eggs, diced onions, garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Combine the ingredients until well incorporated but do not overmix.

Q: How do I wrap the meatloaf with bacon in the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe?
A: For the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe, shape the mixed bison meat into a loaf and place it in the Dutch oven. Lay strips of bacon over the top, tucking the ends underneath the meatloaf to fully wrap it. This helps to keep the meatloaf moist and adds flavor.

Q: What is the cooking time and temperature for the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe?
A: For the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the meatloaf in the Dutch oven for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Q: How should I store leftovers of the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe?
A: To store leftovers of the Dutch oven bacon wrapped bison meatloaf recipe, let the meatloaf cool completely. Slice it and place the slices in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.

Other Bison Recipes to Try

Bison Stuffed Winter Squash Recipe

Campfire Bison Swedish Meatballs

Grilled Bison Tri Tip Steak Recipe With Chimichurri Sauce

Ancho Rubbed Bison Tenderloin Recipe

Bison and Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers Recipe