Alberta Bites Back: Bison, Bites & Big Sky
- Ginger North
- Apr 9
- 5 min read
#30CanadianFoods: Wild and hearty braised bison short ribs
Let’s be honest—Alberta knows how to do bold. From jaw-dropping Rocky Mountain vistas to legendary rodeos and a serious love for beef, this province isn’t here to blend into the background. And for number 9 of the #30CanadianFoods challenge, we’re serving up something as wild and hearty as the land itself: Braised Bison Short Ribs.
Rich, meaty, and infused with Alberta’s ranching history, this dish is straight-up comfort food with a kick of Prairie pride.
Need a refresher on what this delicious challenge is all about? Click here to read the original post or check out the full series so far.
Alberta: Big Skies, Big Hearts, Big Flavour
Alberta isn’t just cowboy hats and cattle drives (though let’s be real, there is a lot of that). It’s a land of contrasts—towering mountains in the west, golden prairies in the east, boreal forests up north, and badlands that look like the moon crashed into the Earth.
Fun Alberta facts to impress your dinner guests:
Alberta is the only province without a provincial sales tax. (We see you, 5% GST.)
It’s home to the world’s largest dinosaur statue in Drumheller. Yes, you can climb it.
The Northern Lights dance across Alberta’s skies over 300 nights a year. (Jealous yet?)
There’s something ruggedly charming about Alberta. Whether it’s a sunset over a wheat field or the clink of cowboy boots at a Stampede bar, this province doesn’t whisper its personality—it hollers it from the mountaintops.
Indigenous Roots: Grounding Alberta in Tradition
Long before Alberta was Alberta, this land thrived with the cultures and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. From the Blackfoot Confederacy to the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux, Alberta is home to a rich, living heritage.
If you’re visiting—or even just curious—there are meaningful ways to experience and honour First Nations culture. One incredible organization is Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park / Áísínai’pi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Blackfoot rock art tells stories stretching back thousands of years. Guided tours with local Indigenous interpreters offer an unforgettable way to connect with the land and its first storytellers.
Another worth knowing? Indigenous Tourism Alberta—they spotlight First Nations-owned experiences and businesses across the province, from hide tanning workshops to authentic cuisine. It’s a great way to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and deepen your connection to the land we all share.
A Taste from Alberta’s First Peoples
Alberta’s food story didn’t begin with beef and barley. Long before ranches and canola fields, the land fed and nourished Indigenous Peoples whose traditions, stewardship, and culinary know-how continue to shape this province in powerful ways. If you’re lucky enough to visit during a powwow or community gathering, you might get to try bannock, dry meat, or even fresh-from-the-fire wild game. But even if you’re not here in person, you can still support Indigenous creators and experience a taste of their traditions.
Indigenous Box, based on Treaty 6 Territory, is one seriously thoughtful way to do just that. Created by Mallory and Kham Yawnghwe, this subscription box service curates gorgeous gift boxes filled with products from Indigenous businesses across Turtle Island—everything from skincare to snacks. Each box tells a story, builds community, and creates economic opportunity. Whether you’re buying for yourself or sending love to a friend, you’re helping more than 300 Indigenous entrepreneurs thrive. That’s what we call a good gift.
Then there’s Mitsoh, a Cree word meaning “eat,” which fits perfectly for this food-focused journey. Founded by Ian Gladue from Bigstone Cree Nation, Mitsoh brings traditional Indigenous foods to kitchens across the country. Think handcrafted dry meat and pemmican, made with care and cultural pride. These aren’t mass-produced snacks—they’re lovingly prepared using old-school techniques passed down through generations. Even better? They’re Elder Approved. Literally. The recipes have been blessed by community Elders, making every bite a connection to something deeper.
Taste Alberta: Local Eats Worth the Trip
1. The Prairie Emporium – Calgary A cozy, creative space that celebrates Alberta food, music, and art. Their rotating menu of locally-sourced eats includes game meats, artisan breads, and clever twists on prairie classics. Bonus: live music nights and killer vibes.
2. Chartier – Beaumont This French-Canadian-inspired gem uses Alberta-grown ingredients to reimagine traditional dishes. Think tourtière with bison, duck fat fried bannock, and a pie list that dreams are made of. Oh, and their sourdough? Locally famous.
This artisan charcuterie and sausage shop is a meat lover’s paradise. They make everything in-house and source from local farms. Their lunch counter also serves up wicked sandwiches you’ll want to write home about (if you can put it down long enough).
📦 Can’t Visit? Businesses That Bring Alberta to Your Door
1. Wild Tea Kombucha – Calgary Run by women and brewed with Alberta-grown ingredients, this fizzy, flavourful kombucha ships right to your door. Their “Gin & Lime” is basically summer in a bottle.
2. Jerky Baron – Edmonton Handcrafted, small-batch jerky made with Alberta beef (and sometimes bison!). Their peppercorn and maple varieties are great for road trips, hikes—or just stress eating during tax season.
3. Sylvan Star Cheese – Red Deer County
Award-winning Gouda made the traditional Dutch way, right in central Alberta. Their smoked Gouda and aged Grizzly are must-trys. They ship all over Canada, so go ahead—build your dream cheese board.
🥣 Recipe: Braised Bison Short Ribs
Let’s be honest—bison is Alberta’s unofficial meat mascot. These majestic beasts have roamed the plains for thousands of years, and they’re as rooted in the province’s history as the Rockies themselves. This slow-braised short rib recipe is adapted from Alberta Ranchers and celebrated at local food festivals like the Calgary Stampede.
It’s rich, tender, and tastes like it’s been hugged by a herd of buffalo.
Braised Bison Short Ribs
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Ingredients
4 large bison short ribs
Salt + pepper to taste
2 tbsp canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup red wine (or bison broth, if you prefer)
2 cups beef or bison stock
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
Directions
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Pat the ribs dry, season well with salt and pepper. Sear in hot oil until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté onion, carrot, and celery in the same pot until softened (about 5 mins). Stir in garlic and tomato paste.
Deglaze with red wine, scraping up brown bits. Add stock, herbs, and ribs back to the pot.
Cover and braise in the oven for 2.5–3 hours, until the meat is falling-off-the-bone tender.
Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted root veggies—and a smug grin.
🧡 Wrapping Up with Prairie-Style Warmth
So there you have it—Alberta on a plate. Whether you’re braising bison in your kitchen or sipping Wild Tea on your stoop, today’s post is a reminder that good food tells a story. And Alberta? It’s got some damn good ones.
Try the recipe, share it with someone you like, maybe order a little something from a business that made you smile—and get ready, because the next stop on our #30CanadianFoods road trip is just around the bend: British Columbia!
See you there ❤️
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