Dakota Style Bison Stew
By Dee and Ray Willard
A Hearty Indigenous Recipe Celebrating Buffalo and Tradition
This Dakota Style Bison Stew is a nourishing tribute to Indigenous foodways and the strength of the Buffalo. Developed by Dee and Ray Willard, this slow-simmered stew combines tender bison meat with hearty root vegetables and fresh corn, creating a meal that’s as rich in flavor as it is in history. Bison, a lean and nutrient-dense protein, has been central to Plains Indigenous diets for generations, making this recipe both a delicious and culturally meaningful choice.
Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: ~2 hours 35 minutes
Ingredients
2 pounds bison meat, cubed
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup yellow onions, coarsely chopped
1 cup red onions, coarsely chopped
1½ quarts water (recommended: Missouri River water)
4 teaspoons beef bouillon
2–3 bay leaves
20 peppercorns
¼ teaspoon ground mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 cups sliced carrots
2 cups chopped celery
3 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 medium turnip, diced
1 medium rutabaga, diced
1 medium yam, diced
1 large ear sweet corn, kernels removed
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Brown the bison:
In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed bison meat and both yellow and red onions. Sauté until the meat is browned and the onions are softened.
Build the broth:
Add 1 quart of water and the beef bouillon to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Add spices and vegetables:
Stir in the bay leaves, peppercorns, ground mustard, garlic powder, and thyme. Add the carrots, celery, tomatoes, turnip, rutabaga, yam, and corn. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.
Finish the stew:
Add the remaining ½ quart of water. Continue to simmer for another 1½ hours.
For firmer vegetables, add them 45 minutes into this final simmer.
Season and serve:
Taste and adjust with salt and pepper before serving.
Why Choose Bison?
Bison is naturally leaner than beef and packed with protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. This makes the stew a heart-healthy, nutrient-rich meal perfect for those looking to eat wholesome, sustainable food that honors Indigenous heritage.
Support Indigenous Food Sovereignty
At the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, we are dedicated to restoring kinship between Indigenous peoples and the Buffalo. Through land reclamation and culturally meaningful food access, we work to strengthen Indigenous food systems across Turtle Island.