Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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This juicy and flavorful bison burger is seasoned with various tasty spices, including onion, garlic, paprika, and parsley.

Quickly grilled, these burgers are ready in just 20 minutes, making them the perfect weeknight dinner. The leftovers are excellent, too!

Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I enjoy bison meat. Its flavor is similar to beef. It's very mild - not gamey and not bold-tasting like lamb burgers.

But you can definitely taste that it's leaner, especially compared with ground beef. So you should cook a bison burger accordingly. Avoid overcooking it, or it could become dry.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Bison Burger Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Burger Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this bison burger recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Lean ground bison: 85% lean and 15% fat.
  • Dijon mustard: This traditional French mustard is creamier, thicker, and less vinegary than yellow mustard.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and cayenne pepper.
  • Avocado oil for the grill: This oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it an ideal cooking oil.

Variations

As with all burger recipes, the seasonings in this recipe are flexible. I use what I like, and you should use what you like and have on hand.

I like to use dried spices because they are convenient. But if you have fresh onions, garlic, and parsley in the house, by all means, use them! The burgers will taste even better.

Two tablespoons of finely chopped onion, a tablespoon of garlic, and ¼ cup of finely chopped fresh parsley are excellent in this recipe.

Bison Burger Instructions

The detailed instructions for making these burgers are included in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:

You start by mixing the meat with the spices.

Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Divide the mixture into four equal parts and form them into patties. Make a dimple in the center of each patty. This will help the patties retain their shape while they cook.

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Preheat your grill to medium-high and oil it. Cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on your desired level of doneness.

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Serve the burgers immediately.

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Expert Tip

To ensure the burgers turn out juicy and tender rather than dense and tough, handle them lightly when you mix the spices into the meat and shape the mixture into patties.

Recipe FAQs

What is bison?

Bison is a grazing mammal. It belongs to the same family as the domestic cow and the buffalo.

How is bison meat different from beef?

Although bison and beef are both considered red meat, bison is leaner and has finer marbling. In terms of flavor, it is similar to beef. Its flavor is mild. It does not have a strong, gamey aftertaste.

How do you cook bison?

Because it's lean, it's best to cook it over medium or medium-high heat (not high) and ensure your grill is well-greased to prevent sticking. Because of its leanness, it's also important to avoid overcooking it.

Why do you make a dimple in burgers?

Making a shallow dimple in the center of burgers helps them retain their shape when you cook them. Without the dimple, they could puff up and lose their shape.

Serving Suggestions

  • I like serving bison burgers with jicama fries or zucchini fries and pickled red onions.
  • If you have sauteed onions or caramelized onions (or the patience to make them), they make an excellent burger topping.
  • These burgers are excellent when topped with sriracha mayo.
  • As for the bun, I use either cloud bread or an English muffin as a bun. Both are excellent, but the English muffin (shown in the photos on this page) is easier to make.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave at 50% power.

You can also freeze the leftovers in freezer bags, in a single layer, for up to three months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge.

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More Burger Recipes

  • Juicy Lamb Burgers
  • Turkey Burgers
  • Baked Hamburgers
  • Bacon Burger

Recipe Card

Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (12)

4.99 from 627 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Juicy Bison Burger

This flavorful bison burger is seasoned with a variety of tasty spices. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's the perfect weeknight dinner.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 bison burgers

Calories: 215kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground bison
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsely
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Avocado oil for the grill

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, use clean hands to mix the bison meat and spices together until well-seasoned.

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  • Form four patties, eachweighing 4 ounces, 3 inches in diameter, and ½ inch thick. Make a dimple in the center of each patty.

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  • Preheat a grill, a grill pan, or a dual-contact electric grill over medium-high heat. Spray or brush the grill surfaces with oil.

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  • For medium doneness, grill the burgers for about 4 minutes on each side or a total of 4 minutes on a dual-contact grill.

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  • Serve the burgers immediately.

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Video

Notes

  • The CDC recommends cooking meat, poultry, and eggs thoroughly.
  • To ensure the burgers turn out juicy and tender rather than dense and tough, it's important to handle them lightly, both when you mix the spices into the meat and when you shape the mixture into patties.
  • I like to use dried spices because they are convenient. But if you have onions, garlic, and fresh parsley in the house, by all means, use them! Two tablespoons of finely chopped onion, a tablespoon of garlic, and ¼ cup of finely chopped fresh parsley are excellent in this recipe.
  • Making a shallow dimple in the center of burgers helps them retain their shape when you cook them. Without the dimple, they could puff up and lose their shape.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave at 50% power. You can freeze the leftovers in freezer bags for up to three months.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 12g | Sodium: 340mg

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About the Author

Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (28) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. vbkim

    Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (29)
    Amazing!!! These were perfect! Fantastic recipe! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed these burgers. 🙂

      Reply

  2. Dee

    Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (30)
    I made these yesterday in a grill pan for my boyfriend & they were excellent! I have two patties left & was curious about cooking them in the oven? Have you ever tried this cooking method? Honestly, this is my first time trying bison, so I'm new to cooking this protein. I've done it with turkey burgers.. they turned out great & less mess to clean up. Let me know your thoughts:)

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you liked these burgers, Dee! I don't like to cook bison burgers in the oven because they don't come out as juicy. But if you've done it with turkey and liked it, I would say give it a try!

      Reply

      • June

        Can you cook these in an air fryer? If so do you have the recommended time and temperature?

      • Vered DeLeeuw

        Hi June,
        I don't own an air fryer, so I am unable to help. Sorry!

  3. baltisraul

    Can you make this a cheeseburger or is that a no no?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yes, you can! Top each burger with a slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking. Cover the grill to melt.

      Reply

Juicy Bison Burger Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep bison burgers from falling apart? ›

The last thing you want to do is compress it! I form patties directly on a rimmed baking sheet by dumping the ground meat out onto it and forming it into even piles, which I then gently form into shape, pressing the meat together just until it holds its shape and is flippable without falling apart.

Are bison burgers healthy? ›

Bison meat is healthy meat. A 100-gram portion provides 20 grams of protein, 146 calories, and 7 grams of fats. It has almost no carbohydrates or fiber. Bison meat also provides small amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and other minerals.

What is the best way to cook ground bison? ›

Nice and lean, ground bison cooks quickly, so I like to grill, roast or sauté at a medium temperature (as opposed to medium high for beef), remove from heat and 5-10 minutes before serving. Lean meats do have more of a tendency to stick, so use plenty of oil.

Is bison too lean for burgers? ›

Is bison good for burgers? Because bison meat is lower in fat and calories compared to ground beef, it's a lean alternative for your weeknight burger habit. Ground bison is a great choice for burgers because it can be easily be substituted in any recipe that calls for ground beef.

How do you make juicy burgers that don't fall apart? ›

Try using some 80/20 or 85/10 ground beef. I thoroughly mash together the meat after adding the sauce and seasonings and then create the patty by flattening and then throwing the patty from hand to hand with some force. The result is a nice juicy tightly packed burger.

Should I add egg to hamburger patties? ›

Egg yolk acts as a binder and adds flavor

After forming it into a patty, he explains that the egg actually helps bind the meat together, and adds an incredibly rich flavor to the burger patty. As a good rule of thumb, it's best to add one yolk per pound of ground beef.

What are the negatives of bison meat? ›

Though consuming bison meat comes with several nutritional benefits, there are a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind, such as its slightly higher price and the fact that it's easier to overcook.

Why is bison meat not popular? ›

Bison costs more than beef at most stores for a few reasons. First, there is far less bison available than beef, with just 20,000 bison slaughtered a year compared to the 125,000 beef animals slaughtered each day.

Which is healthier bison or chicken? ›

In fact, bison is a healthy, lean, and deliciously-rich source of protein with less fat and more nutrients than other red meats, poultry, and fish. Its superior iron content gives it a beautiful deep red color. It's also super high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

What seasoning is good with bison? ›

Salt and pepper can often be enough to enhance the natural flavors of the bison without overpowering it. For those looking to experiment, consider adding garlic powder, smoked paprika, or a touch of cayenne for a bit of spice. Don't forget to lightly oil your steak.

What is the most popular way to prepare bison? ›

Don't cook your steaks past medium-well under any circ*mstances, and medium-rare is generally considered the best. That's an internal temperature of about 130F. Searing in a pan, or grilling, are the best ways to cook a bison steak.

How do you tenderize bison meat? ›

Just remember this one rule: low and slow. Cook the meat slowly with low to medium heat. This will draw out the natural flavors and keep the meat tender and juicy. Low temperature, high moisture, and a good amount of time will yield the best results.

What pairs well with bison? ›

Unlike, say, roast beef, bison is low in fat, so it won't be its best with tannic reds such as inexpensive young Cabernet Sauvignon. (The fat softens the tannins.) Try, instead, a Tuscan Sangiovese or fruit-driven Tempranillo from Spain. Either should pair beautifully with your Noble bison striploin.

How do you know when a bison burger is done? ›

To retain optimal juiciness and the best flavor, bison steaks should be cooked to internal temperatures of between 145 degrees (for medium-rare) and 160 degrees (for medium). Bison burgers should be cooked Medium, to a temperature of 160 degrees.

Can bison burgers be pink? ›

Can bison burgers be pink? Just like beef, a little pinkness to the meat is expected and acceptable when cooking bison burgers. The recommended internal temperature is 160°F for well done. Unlike beef, cook bison to a temperature of 145°F for medium-rare.

How to stop burgers falling apart? ›

Chill or freeze your burgers

"Chill your burgers for at least an hour before you cook them," says senior food editor, Barney. "This will help them keep their shape when they're cooking and stop them falling apart." You can also freeze them before cooking.

How to make burger patties stay together? ›

Add 1 egg yolk per pound of hamburger. It won't add appreciably to the fat content and will bind the meat beautifully. The other thing you can do is add canned, drained, crushed black beans or chickpeas to the hamburger. The starch from the beans will bind the meat together and add an interesting taste.

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