Find out where you can buy bison (buffalo) meat in the state of Michigan. We have listings for grocery stores and farms.
One thing I like to do on this site is include information that I myself am looking for.
If I can help someone as well that it's a win-win.
I have been looking into sources where I can buy bison meat. It's not as readily available as beef, so I have had to search out some sources. It was quite a search that is still ongoing today since I orginally wrote this post back in 2012.
I'm glad to say that it is becoming more readily available.
Why Eat Bison Meat
So why bison?
Well it is lower in fat and higher in protein than beef.
I made a pot roast out of a bison chuck roast and I found it to be just as delicious, but without the huge chunks of fat.
Get our recipe for a delicious Bison Pot Roast.
Bison vs. Buffalo
Some people will market bison as buffalo. It really isn't the same animal. Buffalo refers to the water buffalo that look more like a cow with huge horns than a bison. For the sake of this post, I am only using the word "bison".
Stores in Michigan That Carry Bison Meat
This page lists all the places that I found in Michigan that carries bison meat.
There are two types of listings - one for grocery stores and the other for buying direct from the farm (your best option!).
If you have bought bison meat in Michigan, please share that info in the comments below. I would love to add your info my list.
Kroger | Various locations across the state
Kroger now carries bison in several cuts under their private label Simple Truth brand. A lot of their Simple Truth stuff is organic, but not the bison meat, so don't be mislead.
| Ground | $9.99lb |
| Sirloin Steak | $9.99 for 8 oz steak |
| Strip Steak | $9.99 for 8 oz steak |
| Chuck Roast | $14.99 for 24oz roast |
| Ribeye steak | $9.99 for 6oz steak |
No sure how to cook a bison steak? For an example check out our post on How to Cook a Bison Ribeye Steak.
Meijer | Locations throughout the state
I have found that most Meijer stores I have checked out have ground bison going for around $9.99/lb. It comes in an already sealed 1 pound package.
Whole Foods Market | Locations in Ann Arbor (2), Troy, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield, East Lansing, Detroit
Whole Foods carries some bison meat. They pretty much always have ground bison. Sometimes they have bison chuck roast and New York strip. There are 7 locations in the state of Michigan.
Costco | Various locations across the state
Costco carries ground bison produced by Kiva Sun. The price last time I checked was $7.19 per pound.
Oleson's Food Stores | Locations in Petoskey, Charlevoix, Traverse City (2), and Manistee.
They call themselves "Northern Michigan's Home of the Buffalo". Contact the specific store for more info.
Veldheer Tulip Gardens | Located in Holland, MI
Not quite a grocery store, but this place that specializes in tulips, also sells bison meat. All of their meat is grass fed, hormone free, antibiotic free. Check their website out for more info or call 616-399-1900
Marquette Meats | 3060 W. US 41 Marquette (Next to Westwood Mall)
Marquette Meats offers ground bison and bison steaks. Visit the store for pricing information and selection.
Arbor Farms | 2103 West Stadium Boulevard Ann Arbor, MI 48103-3896
Arbor Farms has a couple options for ground bison meat, located in their freezer section. If you want to buy already made bison patties for burgers they have that there.
Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market | Various locations
I found two different types of ground bison at Fresh Thyme - TenderBison at $8.99 for 1 lb package and Blackwing Meats Organic Patties for $11.99/lb.
Nino Salvaggio | Locations in St. Clair Shores, Clinton Township, and Troy
They sell bison patties in their freezer section for $9.99/lb
Ben's Supercenter | Located in Marlette
Ben's offers a complete line of locally raised bison meat.
Trader Joe's | Locations in Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, Northville, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Gross Pointe
The only bison I have seen at Trader Joe's in their bison jerky. It is pretty good though.
Jerry's Market | Tecumseh
They carry frozen ground bison already formed into patties.
Michigan Farms That Carry Bison Meat
This is a list of farms that I have heard carry bison meat. Check with the individual farm for availability.
Regal Bison | 60139 County Road 652 Mattawan, MI 49071
They have a list of where to find their premium bison meat.
Schultz Fruitridge Farms | 60139 County Road 652 Mattawan, MI 49071
They have bison meat available year around. You need to call in advance for meat cuts, prices, and sales. Their phone number is 269-668-3724.
AJ's Bison | 456 W. Hatmaker Road, Bronson, MI 49208
Has USDA inspected meat. For more information call them at (517) 369-9037
Peaceable Kingdom Bison Ranch | 810-387-2237
They sell bison meat at the Lapeer Farmer's Market and Vantage Point Farmers Market (July to October) in Port Huron.
Cushman Bison Farms | 2427 W. 32 Road, Boon, MI 49601
Cushman Bison Farms located just north of Cadalliac in Boon, has bison jerky, steaks, roasts, and burgers. You can purchase their meat through their website.
Vicki
Peaceable Kingdom sells their bison at Vantage Point farmers market from July through October in Port Huron.
Heather
Ben's Supercenter has a huge selection of Bison Meats.. Awesome place to visit as well they have lots of cool items. Ben's Supercenter is located in Brown City, MI
admin
Thanks for the info. I added Ben's to my list.
mike mitchem
Buffalo steaks are a healthy alternative to beef with less fat, higher nutrients and higher in protein than other red meats. When not overcooked they are tender and juicy. They are also rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which are essential to every cell in the body. Higher protein means more energy and lower fat equals less cholesterol. Range fed Buffalo isn’t pumped full of hormones, antibiotics and other harmful chemicals like beef, pork and chicken are.
Brian
Thank you so much for this info. I have a very strict diet and must eat buffalo daily. I am moving to Ann Arbor and was afraid I would have no place to find it. Turns out there are more places to find it than where I currently live!
Rae Harvey
Dick's Meat Market in Adrian carries frozen bison (ground and steaks). Jerry's Market in Tecumseh also carries frozen ground bison in patties. We've not yet bought bison from Dick's, but we bought the patties from Jerry's and mixed them up with our own preferred seasonings. Those came four to a pack, but it was a pound and three quarters of meat, so we ended up making 6 smaller patties instead. They were DELICIOUS.
Twice now we've gone to Whole Foods in Ann Arbor (on Washtenaw) and they've been out of bison. Apparently it's not something they carry every day.
Kathleen
In Richmond MI, 48062, you can buy grass fed ground buffalo in Kroger on Grating Ave for $9.99. You can also get ground buffalo at Weeks Meat Market on Division for $8.99 and at Richmond Meat Packers on Main St for $6.99 (discount off that if buying large quantity). I haven't looked into purchasing any other cuts but i'm sure both meat markets could get them.
Anita Brocker
I bought ground bison meat at Meijer Cascade store in Grand Rapids, MI tonight 5-9-15.
Pat
Unfortunately, TMZ Farms no longer sells bison out of the TrueValue Hardware Store. Hiller's has also closed, having sold all their locations to Kroger. I'm hoping the other locations here are still selling bison. My whole family likes it better than beef, and it is so much better for you.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for the update. I am aware of the Hiller's closing, very disappointed about that.
Mary Anne
Just look at the packaging. I just bought bison from a Kroger near me in Commerce Township and the package said Vegetarian fed-so I called the number on the back of the package to see what else the bison is fed. It is fed grass because it is pasture raised but it also fed a mix of pellet food. This can mean trouble for someone who is allergic to soy or wheat. The Kroger customer service could not give me detailed information on what exactly was in the pellet food.
I decided to call because when I cooked up this package (ground) it had a smell of beef which to me when I cook up beef it has a smell of garbage which it is probably fed!
So just be aware. I think the package has to say grass fed not vegetarian fed.
Yes, Hiller's used to carry a brand but for the last five years I was getting all of my red meat-bison from a farmer in East Jordan Michigan. Unfortunately the government regulations were too costly for him to stay in business so he cannot afford to raise bison any longer.
I will continue to look for pure grass fed bison!
LuLu
Papa Joe's market off Tienken in Rochester sells ground bison. I've eaten it, just as good as the buffalo meat I got at whole foods. Same price about $13/lb. However, at Papa Joe's it was sold ground already wrapped in the tray with plastic even though it was in the counter with all the fresh meets. It was not frozen but still made me hesitate bcz it was stored in plastic wrap. Whereas, at Whole Foods you purchase it wrapped in paper like usual and it's NOT already separated in one-pound trays. Hmm.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for the information!