Ground buffalo can turn an ordinary pot of soup into something rich, hearty, and a little more interesting than the usual ground beef version. It has a clean, slightly sweet flavor, a lean texture, and enough character to stand up to beans, tomatoes, root vegetables, chiles, and warm spices.

A good Minnesota soup should feel like coming inside after shoveling the walk, cheeks cold, glasses fogged, and socks finally thawing near the heat vent. It should be creamy without tasting heavy, seasoned without shouting, and sturdy enough to count as supper.