Satisfy your burger cravings with these Juicy and Delicious Bison Burgers that are leaner, healthier, and more flavorful than ground beef. Packed with spicy habanero peppers and topped with caramelized onions, avocado, and blue cheese, this is the best burger you’ll ever have!
If you enjoy bison recipes, then definitely check out my baked bison meatballs or Bison Steak Recipe next!
In less than 20 minutes you can bring restaurant-quality burgers to your table without leaving home. Bison is perfect if you are looking for a burger that you can enjoy completely guilt-free! Grilling bison burgers is an option but for this recipe, we will use a stovetop.
For this recipe, I made my bison burger a bit on the spicy side! The addition of habanero and jalapenos with cilantro and chile powder made this burger a huge hit with the fam! I’ve also made bison burgers by seasoning them simply with minced garlic, chopped onion, salt and pepper, and it was equally as tasty!! Make the burger according to your preference, but be sure to follow my cooking tips so your burger comes out nice and juicy!
Bison Burger Nutrition VS Beef
Across the board, bison is lower in calories and saturated fat than beef. It also has a higher nutrient profile, supplying high amounts of iron and vitamin b-12. Both bison and beef have similar protein contents: 23-25g protein per 4 ounces. However, buffalo are typically raised under much better conditions than cows, including having more grazing time as they are usually raised on ranches or farms. They are also more likely to be grass-fed and never given antibiotics or hormones.
Regarding antibiotics and hormones, it is always important to buy grass-fed AND finished meat whenever possible. Pay attention to the label because many beef options are grass-fed to start, then grain-finished.
How to Cook Bison Burgers on the Stove?
Bison is leaner than beef, which means that it cooks faster. It is best to not cook bison beyond medium or it will become dry and tough.
After forming burger patties with ground bison, you will simply cook the patties for 4-7 minutes on each side over medium heat. The less time it takes to cook, the more juicy and tender your burger will be. Four minutes is ideal for a medium finish and 7 minutes is great for medium-well to well done. (The same principle applies to grilling the Bison Burgers.)
My trick for making sure these burgers come out juicy and flavorful every single time is to shape the ground meat into a patty and then make a small indentation with my thumb in the center of the patty. This will allow the moisture to accumulate in the grove while cooking and keep the burger juicy. (You can thank my boyfriend for the awesome tip! 🙂 He is the grill master in our home.)
What to use for Bison Burger Toppings:
- Caramelized Onions
- Avocado or Guacamole
- Avocado Crema
- Romaine Lettuce or Arugula (my favorite!)
- Tomato
- Cheese: Blue Cheese and Sharp Cheddar are great
- Roasted Red Peppers
Remember, bison is juicy, tender, and flavorful all on its own. You do not need lots of seasonings or toppings to enjoy this epic burger. Less is more when it comes to this tasty meat! Complete this meal with Homemade Sweet Potato Fries or Accordion Potatoes!
I hope you enjoy this Best Bison Burgers Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Burger Recipes To Try:
- Grilled Pineapple Beyond Burgers
- Vegan Black Bean Burgers
- Beet Quinoa Veggie Burger
- Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Gluten-Free Burger (So Easy!)
Best Bison Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Bison
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Freshly Ground Pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Chili Powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp Cumin (optional)
- 1/4 Onion, finely chopped (or one shallot finely chopped)
- 2 Jalapeno Peppers, seeded and minced (optional)
- 3 Habanero Peppers, seeded and minced (optional)
- 2 tbsp Cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil for cooking the burgers
Instructions
Stove-Top Cooking
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground bison, garlic, diced peppers, and spices Form into burger patties.(I like my burgers o the spicy side, but adding peppers is completely optional. Bison is incredibly flavorful on it's own so feel free to season with just salt and pepper or add your favorite spices.)
- Over medium-high heat, add 1-2 tbsp oil to your cast iron or skillet. Once the skillet is hot, transfer the burgers to the skillet and cook for 4-7 minutes on each side. (4 minutes for medium burger- 7 minutes for medium-well burger)
- Assemble your burger with lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever toppings you like. Enjoy!
Grill Instructions
- Preheat grill for high heat.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground bison, garlic, jalapeno peppers, habanero pepper, red pepper flakes, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper. Form into burger patties.
- Lightly oil the grill grate. Place burgers on grill, and cook for 4-7 minutes per side.
- Assemble your burger with lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever toppings you like. Enjoy!
Nutrition
All I can say is WOW! I’m doing a 40 day stricter-than-keto diet to get rid of some unwanted Covid weight, and this recipe REALLY hit the spot. The optional cumin and chili powder added an amazing depth of flavor without being overpowering. First time trying bison, and it was amazing! First time trying bison, and it was love at first bite! Thanks for such a great recipe–this will definitely be a go-to when I want a great burger!
I am so happy to hear you liked the recipe! I totally understand the feeling of having a super tasty meal while dieting. It feels all the better knowing it aligns with your dieting goals. Thanks so much for leaving a review! 🙂