Game meat isn’t just for adventurous eaters or seasoned hunters. Thanks to innovative farms and a growing interest in sustainable sourcing, high-quality wild game meats like bison, elk, and venison are more accessible than ever—and showing up in more home kitchens, too.
We caught up with John Jennings, the meat and seafood category manager at Misfits Market, to talk about this rising category. From what makes meat “game,” to how it cooks and where to buy game meats, consider this your ultimate guide.
What Is Wild Game Meat?
“Traditionally, game meat refers to animals that are hunted in the wild,” John explains. “But at Misfits Market, and most retail settings, game meat means the same species—like bison, elk, and venison—but raised in a farm environment.”
Why the distinction? It’s actually illegal to sell meat from wild-hunted animals in the U.S. So all game meat available for retail is farm-raised under USDA-regulated standards. That means safer, more consistent quality, and a lot less mystery when it comes to sourcing.
Farmed vs. Wild Game Meat: What’s the Difference?
You might picture wild game meat as something sourced straight from the wilderness—and traditionally, you’d be right. Wild game refers to animals like deer, elk, or wild boar that are hunted in their natural habitat. But due to USDA regulations, it’s illegal to sell meat from wild-hunted animals in the U.S. for retail or commercial use.
That’s where farmed game meat comes in. These animals are the same species you’d find in the wild, but they’re raised in controlled farm environments. As John explains, “There aren’t big question marks about what these animals are eating or how they’re processed. It leads to a safer, more consistent, and often more flavorful product.”
The benefits of farmed game meat include:
- Safer sourcing: All products are USDA-inspected and regulated.
- Consistent quality: Controlled diets (mostly grass-fed, sometimes supplemented with grain) create uniform flavor and texture.
- Milder taste: Unlike truly wild meat, which can taste “gamey” due to diet and stress, farmed game tends to be clean-tasting and similar to lean beef.
So while it’s called “game meat,” what you’re really getting is premium, pasture-raised protein that’s better for the planet and better for your dinner plate.
What Does Game Meat Taste Like?
Forget what you’ve heard about gamey flavors. “That reputation mostly comes from truly wild meat,” says John. “With farm-raised game meat, the animal’s diet is controlled, the butchering process is consistent, and you get a cleaner, more familiar flavor.”
Think of it as a leaner, slightly more complex version of beef. In fact, John has successfully swapped bison for beef in family meals without anyone noticing: “I’ve subbed in ground bison for beef and my family didn’t even realize it.”
How to Cook Game Meat
Because it tends to be leaner than traditional beef, game meat benefits from gentler cooking.
“If you like your steak medium, try going medium-rare with bison,” John recommends. “There’s less intramuscular fat, so it doesn’t need as much cooking to be tender.”
For ground game meats like elk, venison, or bison, use them the same way you would ground beef—just be mindful not to overcook.
What Game Meats Can You Buy at Misfits Market?
Currently, Misfits Market offers a curated variety of farm-raised game meats:
- Bison: Lean, slightly sweet, and one of our most popular proteins.
- Elk: Mild and beef-like, with a hint of earthiness.
- Venison: From grass-fed New Zealand deer, for a consistently tender texture.
- Lamb: While not technically a game meat, it’s often grouped into this category due to how it’s merchandised. Our standout option? Niman Ranch Lamb Loin Chops.
“Niman Ranch‘s lamb is one of my go-tos,” John shares. “They have a true commitment to animal welfare and farmer support. Plus it’s absolutely delicious.”
Why Try Game Meat?
Beyond flavor, game meats are often more nutritious and sustainably sourced:
- Lower in saturated fat
- Higher in minerals and omega-3s
- Raised in smaller-scale, more sustainable farms
“We’ve seen a huge increase in customer interest,” says John. “People want to eat better, try something new, and support better farming practices. Game meat checks all those boxes.”
Where to Buy Game Meat Online
Skip the specialty butcher. At Misfits Market, we make it easy to try high-quality game meat from the comfort of your home. Our flexible relationships with suppliers let us bring in exciting, limited-time cuts you won’t always find elsewhere.
And with our quality guarantee and temperature-controlled shipping, you can shop with confidence no matter the weather.
The Bottom Line
Game meat doesn’t have to be intimidating. Whether you’re swapping bison into chili or grilling elk burgers for the first time, it’s a simple way to expand your protein palate while supporting more sustainable farming practices.
Want to see what’s in stock? Shop game meats at Misfits Market.
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