Genesee · Answer · Updated 2026-09-28
Is bison meat healthier than beef?
Not automatically. In USDA FoodData Central, lean raw bison sirloin lists 113 calories and 21.4g protein per 100g, and lean raw beef sirloin lists 135 calories and 21.9g protein. The cut and fat percentage change the numbers more than the species does. Genesee bars contain bison tallow, a fat, not bison meat.
This page compares raw meat as USDA FoodData Central records it, per 100g. Cooking removes water and some fat, so cooked values differ. Compare the same cut, the same lean-to-fat ratio, and the same cooking state before drawing a conclusion.
Is bison leaner than beef?
Only when you compare like with like. The lean bison sirloin record lists 2.4g fat per 100g and the lean beef sirloin record lists 4.6g. But USDA's two ground-bison records range from 7.2g to 15.9g fat per 100g, which spans up to near 80%-lean ground beef (20.0g), with 90% lean at 10.0g. Read the lean-to-fat ratio on the package you buy.
Does bison have more iron than beef?
In these records, yes, by a modest amount: 2.6-3.0mg iron per 100g for bison versus 1.6-2.2mg for beef. The Daily Value for iron is 18mg, so a 100g serving of any row supplies about 9-17% of it. Beef lists more zinc in two of the three pairs.
How should you choose between bison and beef?
Choose by cut, fat percentage, price, and taste rather than species. If you track saturated fat, compare grams per serving on the Nutrition Facts panel: FDA sets the Daily Value for saturated fat at less than 20g a day, and a label showing 20% Daily Value or more per serving is high.
Do Genesee bars contain bison meat?
No. Genesee bars list grass-fed bison tallow, which is rendered bison fat. The bars' 21g protein comes from whey protein isolate, collagen, and peanut butter, not from bison meat, so the meat comparison on this page does not describe a Genesee bar. Each 60g bar lists 6g saturated fat (30% Daily Value). Recipes and labels can change. Check the package you receive for the current ingredients, nutrition facts, allergens, and caffeine disclosure.
How do bison and beef compare per 100 grams?
| USDA record | Calories | Protein | Total fat | Saturated fat | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison, top sirloin, lean only, raw | 113 | 21.4g | 2.4g | 0.9g | 3.0mg | 3.4mg |
| Beef, top sirloin steak, lean only, choice, raw | 135 | 21.9g | 4.6g | 1.7g | 1.6mg | 4.1mg |
| Bison, ground, grass-fed, raw | 146 | 20.2g | 7.2g | 2.9g | 2.8mg | 4.6mg |
| Beef, ground, 90% lean / 10% fat, raw | 176 | 20.0g | 10.0g | 3.9g | 2.2mg | 4.8mg |
| Bison, ground, raw | 223 | 18.7g | 15.9g | 6.8g | 2.6mg | 4.3mg |
| Beef, ground, 80% lean / 20% fat, raw | 254 | 17.2g | 20.0g | 7.6g | 1.9mg | 4.2mg |
Common questions
Is bison healthier than beef?
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Not automatically. Lean bison and lean beef list similar protein per 100g in USDA FoodData Central, and ground bison can carry as much fat as ground beef. Compare the same cut and fat percentage.
Does bison have more protein than beef?
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About the same. Raw lean sirloin lists 21.4g protein per 100g for bison and 21.9g for beef. The raw ground records range from 17.2g to 20.2g for both, falling as fat rises.
Does bison have more iron than beef?
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In the USDA records on this page, bison lists 2.6-3.0mg iron per 100g and beef lists 1.6-2.2mg. Beef lists more zinc in two of the three pairs.
Is there bison meat in Genesee bars?
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No. The bars list grass-fed bison tallow, a fat. Their protein comes from whey protein isolate, collagen, and peanut butter.
Deep dives: Tallow protein bars · Seed-oil-free protein bars
Keep reading: Genesee flavor labels
Sources
- Game meat, bison, top sirloin, separable lean only, trimmed to 0" fat, raw (FDC 172564). USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). Checked 2026-09-28.
- Beef, top sirloin, steak, separable lean only, trimmed to 1/8" fat, choice, raw (FDC 174763). USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). Checked 2026-09-28.
- Bison, ground, grass-fed, raw (FDC 175293). USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). Checked 2026-09-28.
- Beef, ground, 90% lean meat / 10% fat, raw (FDC 174030). USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). Checked 2026-09-28.
- Game meat, bison, ground, raw (FDC 174421). USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). Checked 2026-09-28.
- Beef, ground, 80% lean meat / 20% fat, raw (FDC 174036). USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). Checked 2026-09-28.
- How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label. US Food and Drug Administration. Checked 2026-09-28.
- 21 CFR 101.9: Nutrition labeling of food. eCFR (US Code of Federal Regulations). Checked 2026-09-28.