Name: Bison Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground bison; 1 large egg; ⅓ cup breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing); 1 cup marinara sauce (optional, for serving)

Description

These Bison Meatballs are a lean, flavorful alternative to traditional beef meatballs. Made with ground bison, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese, they’re seared in a skillet for a golden crust and finished cooking on the stovetop or baked for convenience. Serve them with warm marinara sauce for a hearty, healthy main dish perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

1 pound ground bison
1 large egg
⅓ cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Cooking

1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
1 cup marinara sauce (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground bison, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1 ½-inch meatballs, making about 16 to 18 meatballs evenly sized for uniform cooking.
Sear Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, searing each side for 2 to 3 minutes until they develop a brown crust.
Cook Through: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and continue cooking the meatballs for 5 to 7 more minutes until they are fully cooked through and no longer pink inside.
Optional Baking Method: For an alternative cooking method, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through and browned.
Serve: Serve the meatballs warm, optionally topped with marinara sauce for added flavor and moisture.

Notes

Bison is very lean meat, so avoid overcooking to maintain juiciness and tenderness.
These meatballs freeze well; store cooked and cooled meatballs in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Using gluten-free breadcrumbs makes this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.