Easy Bison Stuffed Dates with Marinara Sauce (Gluten and Dairy Free)
This dish may sound a little unique, and it is, but believe me… it’s a flavor combination you don’t want to pass up.
This recipe is based on a similar dish I had a few years back at a restaurant in Dayton, OH. It has always stuck with me as one of the tastiest and most unique dishes I’ve ever tried. It’s savory, sweet, tangy, and honestly, just the most delightful explosion of flavors. I never came across anything like it again and I just knew I had to recreate it on my own. This dish is also Whole30, gluten and dairy-free, so it’s suitable for anyone with food sensitivities!
What surprised me about this dish was just how easy it was to put together! To me, the best dishes are the ones that anyone can make, yet so surprisingly delicious that you feel a sense of accomplishment. Keep reading to find out how to make this simple dish yourself!
How to Make Stuffed Dates:
- Preheat your oven. Preheat the oven and get your baking dish ready. I usually use a 9″ round or square baking dish, but you can use whatever size you have on hand! Line the bottom of the baking dish with just enough marinara sauce to coat the dish. Set this aside for now!
- Cook the ground bison. I found ground bison at our local Whole Foods. If you can’t find ground bison in a grocery store near you, ground pork or even ground beef would work just fine. I just love the coarse texture and sweeter flavor than bison meat provides.
- Season the bison. You can use whatever seasoning you like, but the ones I listed in this recipe really balance out the sweetness of the dates!
- Prep the dates. Carefully cut a slit in the date lengthwise. This is where you will stuff your cooked bison!
- Stuff each date with cooked bison. Using a spoon (or your fingers, if you’re not afraid to get a little messy), stuff as much bison meat as you can into each date. Lay each date, cut side up, into the prepared dish with marinara sauce. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until everything is heated through! Enjoy!
And there you have it! A delicious, unique, and nutritious appetizer or side dish that is sure to wow your date (or yourself). Eat it on its own as a snack, or pair it with some veggies and potatoes for a complete, balanced meal that is totally gluten and dairy-free! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook if you make it! I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Bison Stuffed Dates with Marinara Sauce
Equipment
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- ½ lb. bison meat, ground
- 12 pitted medjool dates
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp minced onion, dried
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- marinara sauce of choice, I like Ragu No Sugar Added
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F. In a small round or square baking dish, our just enough marinara sauce to cover the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground bison until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Turn off the heat. Drain the fat and add bison back to skillet.
- Add seasonings to cooked bison and stir to combine.
- Carefully, use a knife to make a lengthwise slit into each of the dates. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
- Using your fingers or a spoon, stuff each date with the desired amount of cooked bison meat. Place the stuffed dates, cut side up, directly into the baking dish with marinara sauce. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until everything is heated through. Serve immediately!
Notes
- Calories are estimated based on the serving size of 3 stuffed dates with marinara sauce.
- Enjoy on their own as an appetizer, or pair with some veggies for a full, balanced meal!