Wasna—also known as pemmican—is a jerky-like snack made from dried bison meat. Wasna was (and still is) especially popular among Lakota people in the North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.
In the past, leftover bison meat was mixed with fat and berries and then dried into tasty meatballs. Wasna was a favorite snack among Lakota hunters and warriors far from home. Nowadays, wasna-like products can be purchased in vacuum-sealed packaging at western stores in Rapid City, South Dakota, and surrounding areas.
Recipe Servings: 4
Prep Time
10 minutes
+ 3 hours resting
+ 3 hours resting
Cook Time
Total Time
3 hours 10 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
Directions
- Shred the bison jerky and the berries in a food processor. Then place in a mixing bowl.
- Add the beef fat or shortening. Blend with hands until well-mixed.
- Form the mixture into patties and dry them in a food dehydrator. If you don’t have a food dehydrator, use the oven racks, and set the oven at 200°F. Let dry for several hours.
- Alternatively the patties can simply be refrigerated, but they will not keep as long as the dried wasna; they must be within 3 days.
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