Grilled Bison Cheeseburgers with Bacon Recipe

Ground bison: The main protein for the burgers, offering a leaner alternative to beef with a unique flavor.

Cheddar cheese: Adds a creamy, tangy element to the burgers, melting perfectly over the bison patties.

Bacon: Provides a crispy, salty contrast to the juicy bison and cheddar cheese.

Burger buns: The vessel for your delicious bison cheeseburgers, ideally soft and slightly toasted.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the bison.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity to the bison patties.

When grilling bison patties, make sure to create a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb. This helps the patties cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up in the middle. Additionally, for perfectly crispy bacon, use a grill-safe pan or a piece of aluminum foil to catch the drippings and avoid flare-ups.

• ground bison - Substitute with ground beef: Ground beef is more readily available and has a similar texture and flavor profile.

• ground bison - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can provide a similar texture while being lower in fat.

• cheddar cheese - Substitute with American cheese: American cheese melts well and provides a creamy texture similar to cheddar.

• cheddar cheese - Substitute with Swiss cheese: Swiss cheese offers a mild flavor and melts nicely, making it a good alternative.

• bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner option and provides a similar smoky flavor.

• bacon - Substitute with vegetarian bacon: Vegetarian bacon offers a plant-based alternative with a similar crispy texture.

• burger buns - Substitute with whole wheat buns: Whole wheat buns add extra fiber and nutrients while maintaining the structure needed for a burger.

• burger buns - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps provide a low-carb alternative while adding a fresh, crunchy texture.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory umami flavor while also providing the necessary saltiness.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct substitute, offering a slightly different mineral content and flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different taste profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit more heat and a different flavor, making it a good alternative for those who like spice.

• Allow the grilled bison patties to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the burgers soggy.
• Wrap each bison patty individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they remain moist and flavorful.
• Place the wrapped patties in an airtight container or freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Store the bacon separately from the patties. Wrap the bacon in paper towels to absorb any excess grease, then place it in an airtight container.
• For the burger buns, store them in a bread box or a sealed plastic bag at room temperature. If freezing, wrap each bun in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag.
• To reheat, thaw the patties and bacon in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the patties on a grill or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Crisp the bacon in a skillet or microwave.
• Toast the burger buns lightly on the grill or in a toaster before assembling the burgers.
• Assemble the burgers with the reheated patties, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap each burger in aluminum foil to keep them moist.
  3. Place the wrapped burgers on a baking sheet.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the bison patties are warmed through.
  5. For the last 2 minutes, open the foil to let the buns crisp up slightly.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the burger patties in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until warmed through.
  5. Toast the buns separately in the skillet for a minute or two if desired.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the burger patties on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. Heat the buns separately for about 20-30 seconds.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the burger patties in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  4. Toast the buns in the air fryer for the last 1-2 minutes.

• Grill Method:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
  2. Wrap the burger patties in aluminum foil.
  3. Place the wrapped burgers on the grill and heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  4. Toast the buns on the grill for the last minute.

• Grill: Used to cook the bison patties and bacon, giving them a smoky flavor and perfect char.

• Grill tongs: Essential for flipping the patties and bacon without piercing them, which helps retain their juices.

• Spatula: Handy for handling the patties on the grill, especially when adding the cheese slices.

• Meat thermometer: Useful for checking the internal temperature of the bison patties to ensure they are cooked to your desired doneness.

• Mixing bowl: Used to season the ground bison with salt and black pepper before forming the patties.

• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface to form the bison patties and prepare the bacon.

• Knife: Useful for any additional prep work, such as slicing the cheese if not pre-sliced.

• Plate: Needed to hold the cooked patties and bacon before assembling the burgers.

• Burger buns: The base and top for your delicious bison cheeseburgers.

• Aluminum foil: Can be used to tent the burgers to keep them warm while the bacon finishes cooking.

Preheat the grill: Preheat the grill while you prepare the ground bison patties to save time.

Season in advance: Season the ground bison and form patties the night before to streamline the cooking process.

Cook bacon first: Grill the bacon first and keep it warm in the oven to avoid multitasking.

Melt cheese quickly: Place a lid over the patties when adding cheddar cheese to speed up melting.

Toast buns on the grill: Toast the burger buns on the grill while the patties cook to save a step.