Buffalo Burgers (Bison Burgers)

Level up your burger game with these juicy, tender, flavorful Buffalo Burgers aka Bison Burgers. Lighter and leaner than ground beef and just 10 minutes on the grill make them perfect for quick weeknight dinners and fun weekend BBQs.

Unique Burger Recipes

I've made burgers like Chorizo Burgers, Turkey Burgers, and Rodeo Burgers, and thought it was time to try my hand at making some not-so-traditional buffalo burgers. I love the bison burgers served at Ted's Montana Grill as they are so tender and leaner than ground beef so I came up with a delicious and easy recipe you can make in your own backyard.

Difference Between Buffalo and Bison

There are two species of bison: the American Bison (Bison bison) that roams North America and the European Bison or Wisent (Bison bonasus), which is found in Europe. True buffalo species, such as the African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), are native to Africa and Asia, respectively.

Bison have a large hump at their shoulders and a shaggy coat in the front. They have a large head with short, curved, and sharp horns. In contrast, buffalo have a more uniform coat and lack the shoulder hump. Their horns are longer, curving outwards and upwards.

So when you go to the grocery store or other markets looking for ground buffalo meat to make the burgers, you'll need to look for bison.

What do bison burgers taste like?

Bison is slightly sweeter than beef and has an earthy flavor aspect and it is not gamey.

My bison burgers have a deep, rich, and smoky flavor because BBQ sauce, bacon fat, and smoked cheese are in the patty.

Bison Burgers vs Beef

• Bison is leaner, has fewer calories, and has less fat than beef
• Both bison and beef have similar tastes although some bison may have a slightly gamier taste (personally I haven't found that to be the case)
• Bison is more flavorful and more tender than beef
• The bison sold in stores is usually of better quality than the beef
• Bison is more likely to be grass-fed rather than grain-fed making it healthier
• Compared to beef, bison is richer in protein

Why You'll Love This Bison Burgers Recipe

Bison is lean and a healthy alternative to ground beef

Juicy, flavorful burgers with little prep needed

Quick & easy to grill - just 10 minutes from grill to table

Perfect for quick weeknight meals or weekend BBQs

Recipe Tips

• To prevent bison burgers from being dense and tough, don't overhandle the meat when mixing in the seasoning and or press too tightly when forming the patties.
• Do not press down on the burgers when they are grilling or else you will press out all the juices.
• Press your thumb into the center of the patties to create an indention. This helps keep the patties from puffing up while grilling.
• Watch the grill temperature and make sure it stays in the range of medium to medium-high (350°F to 375°F).
• Do not overcook bison. It should be eaten either medium-rare or medium.

Alternate Cooking Methods

How to Cook Bison Burgers on the Stove

1. Heat a skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until it is hot (just starts to smoke). Add butter or olive oil.
2. Reduce the heat to medium.
3. Place the patties in the hot skillet and cook them for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until your desired doneness.

How to Cook Bison Burgers in Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
2. Place the patties in the air fryer.
3. Air fry for 4 minutes, flip the patties over, and air fry for 4 minutes or until your desired doneness.

What to Serve with Bison Burgers

• Potatoes - Regular French fries or sweet potato fries, potato salad, or air fryer fingerling potatoes.
• Salads - Fresh garden salad, coleslaw, or pasta salad.
• Vegetables - Grilled veggies such as corn on the cob, zucchini, green beans, or asparagus.

How to Store

It is best to store the patties separately from the buns and toppings.

The buns should be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 4 days.

The toppings should be kept in separate containers or bags and refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Storing Raw Bison Patties:

1. If you're not cooking the patties immediately, you should refrigerate them.
2. Put the patties in a dish and cover it with plastic wrap or use a sealable plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.

Storing Grilled Bison Patties:

1. After grilling, let the burgers cool down at room temperature (no more than two hours to prevent bacteria growth).
2. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them in aluminum foil.
3. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Freeze

Freezing Raw Bison Patties:

1. To freeze, wrap them tightly in a layer of plastic wrap then either another layer of aluminum foil or place the wrapped patties in a plastic freezer bag.
2. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight.
3. You can grill them frozen, just add a minute or two to the grilling time.

Freezing Grilled Bison Patties:

1. Similar to raw patties, allow the grilled bison burgers to cool.
2. Wrap each grilled patty individually in aluminum foil or freezer paper.
3. Place these wrapped patties into a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, seal, and then put it in the freezer.
4. Grilled bison burgers can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat

Reheating Grilled Bison Patties:

To reheat, you can use the oven, stove, or microwave:

Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the patty on a baking sheet and heat it for about 10 to 15 minutes or until it's warmed through.

Stove: Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the patty and cook each side for about 3 to 5 minutes or until it's heated to your preference.

Microwave: Place the patty on a microwave-safe plate. Use the reheat setting if your microwave has one, or use 50% power for 1 to 2 minutes, checking and turning the patty every 30 seconds to prevent overcooking.

Always ensure that reheated meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety.

More Recipes for Grilling Meat

• Grilled Filet
• Grilled Lamb Chops
• Grilled London Broil
• Grilled Mahi
• Spicy Grilled Shrimp

Find lots of delicious and easy grilling recipes right here on 2CM!

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This post has been updated with an improved recipe, new photos, and more helpful information to make the best burger possible. It was first published on June 5, 2016.