Bison Burgers

There are few things that bring more joy than biting into a big juicy burger that packs tons of flavor. For this burger, we’re switching it up a little and using delicious ground bison.

I’ve had a bison ribeye in the past, and the flavor was unbelievable for being a much leaner protein than beef. I was recently inspired to pick up some ground bison after seeing a friend post how delicious it was in some burgers she was making. Most specialty grocery stores carry ground bison nowadays, but Costco definitely has the best deal on it.

If you are looking for a bison burger near you because you have heard how delicious they are; chances are you might want to just make your own. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of restaurants have bison burgers on their menus yet.

Bison is a healthier alternative to beef

Not only is bison healthier than beef, but it’s also an excellent source of lean protein. It’s lower in fat than beef but has an even more rich flavor to it. Using grass-fed bison is an excellent source of omega 3 acids, which are healthy fats. 

To make this an even healthier bison burger recipe, you can go protein style and substitute the bun for lettuce. This is a great way to cut carbs and also get to taste the bison even more.

Is bison meat gamey?

Nope, bison does not taste gamey and there is no aftertaste that is often associated with game animals. The flavors of bison are very similar to beef, but it is slightly sweeter. 

Bison vs Buffalo

So what’s the difference between bison and buffalo anyway? The two names are often used interchangeably, but American Bison are native to North America and Buffalo are from Africa and Asia. You can read more details about the differences over at Modern Farmer. 

Where to buy ground bison

The best value you are going to find for buying ground bison is definitely from Costco. It is also often available at Sprouts, Whole Foods and other grocery stores.

How to cook bison burgers

Since the ground bison is low in fat (usually 10%-15%), I much prefer to cook the bison burgers with a little butter in the skillet instead of oil. This helps with browning and creating a delicious caramelized crust on the outside of the burgers while cooking at a lower temperature so they don’t dry out.

How to cook bison burgers on the stove in a cast iron skillet: Season the burger patties generously with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high. Add about 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter per burger, swirl it and place the burgers in the skillet. Turn the heat down to medium to cook the lean bison burgers more slowly for about 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.

With how delicate and lean these burgers are; my preference is to sear them in a skillet. The grill will definitely work and add some great smoky flavors, but they can dry out more quickly and it is a little more difficult to handle them. Learn more in this grilled lamb burger recipe.

Seasoning Options

You can totally go crazy by adding different spice rubs, garlic powder and other seasonings to bison burgers. My preference is just to season them liberally with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. This really lets you taste the rich flavor of the actual bison. If you want to kick it up, try adding toppings instead (see below).

Topping Ideas

A fried egg can add a wonderful richness to the lean yet flavorful bison. Crispy fried shallots are amazing, sweet and add a nice texture. Fry up some green onions/scallions in the same skillet that the burgers are cooked in and add on top of the burger. Blistered shishito peppers totally kick it up. All these toppings can be cooked in the same skillet as the burgers so you aren’t making extra dishes.

Bison burgers are also great bunless. Top with some smoky bourbon bbq sauce for a more steak-like option. 

What cheese goes best with bison burgers?

Go with either a nice cheddar or havarti cheese on the bison burgers. Melting a few slices of brie can also be great. Check out brie and caramelized onion burger.

Tips for cooking bison burgers

• Handle the ground bison gently. Too much mixing can make it tough.
• Cook them rare or medium-rare. Bison is a very lean protein, so it will dry out quickly if overcooked. It is best cooked rare to medium-rare. 
• A great way to make the bison burger patties is to divide even portions into round balls, then place them in between two pieces of parchment paper on the backside of two plates. Gently press the plates together (not too far) to form perfectly even bison burger patties.
• If you are going to have any leftover bison meat; it’s best to only cook what you need and save the rest to cook for your next meal. Re-heating the lean bison in the microwave the next day can cause it to dry out. Since it cooks so fast, it’s much more optimal to just fry up another burger instead of eating leftovers.