Combining lean bison with ground pork, this Grilled Bison Burger delivers a rich, juicy burger with an excellent crust from a hot pellet grill. The pork brings additional fat and flavor to the naturally lean bison, making the patties tender without losing the clean, beef-like taste that bison is known for. These burgers are ideal for grilling at higher heat to achieve a savory sear while keeping the interior moist and flavorful.
Grilled Bison Burger
Bison is naturally leaner than beef, but when blended with ground pork it becomes extraordinarily juicy and flavorful. This recipe highlights the meat with a simple SPG-style seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic) so the natural flavors remain front and center. Grill the patties over direct heat to develop a caramelized exterior, and finish with Colby Jack or your preferred melting cheese. Serve on toasted buns with classic toppings to create a satisfying, crowd-pleasing burger.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Flavorful: The bison-and-pork blend creates a juicy, savory burger with depth and character.
- Lean option with richness: Bison provides a leaner base than beef, while pork adds necessary fat for tenderness.
- Simple seasoning: A basic salt-pepper-garlic rub enhances the meat without masking it.
- Easy to customize: Swap cheeses, buns, or toppings to suit your taste.
- Great for entertaining: Impressive texture and flavor make these burgers a hit at gatherings.
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Recipe Shopping List
Before you grill, pick up these core ingredients. Exact quantities and the printable recipe card are included further down the page.
- Ground bison
- Ground pork
- SPG-style seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic)
- Colby Jack cheese (or preferred melting cheese)
- Burger buns
Try a hearty Bison Bolognese for another way to enjoy bison.
How To Make This Recipe
Here’s a concise overview of the steps to prepare these grilled bison burgers. Follow the detailed recipe card below for exact measurements and timing while cooking.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your smoker or pellet grill to about 375°F for direct grilling.
- Form patties: Gently combine the ground bison and pork. Shape into even patties, handling the meat minimally to keep them tender. Season both sides with SPG.
- Grill: Place patties on the hot grates. Grill about 18–22 minutes depending on thickness, aiming for an internal temperature around 140–145°F for medium. Adjust to your preferred doneness.
- Add cheese: During the last minute of cooking, place slices of Colby Jack on each patty and close the lid to melt.
- Assemble and serve: Toast buns, add desired toppings, and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Tip: Let patties rest a few minutes after grilling to redistribute juices before serving. Use an instant-read thermometer for accurate internal temperature readings.
Also great: a smoked cheeseburger variation if you prefer longer, lower-temperature smoke flavor.
Recipe FAQ
Place cooked patties in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in a low oven until warmed through.
Yes—shape the patties up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bring them close to room temperature before grilling for even cooking.
Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, or Colby Jack all melt nicely and complement the bison-pork flavor profile.
If you prefer, use ground beef in place of pork, or use all bison for a leaner patty—just watch for a drier result and adjust cooking time and fat content accordingly.
Serve alongside homemade fries or panko onion rings for a classic meal.
Serve This With
- Frozen fries, air-fried or cooked on a griddle
- Panko-fried onion rings for crunch
- Smoked baked beans for a smoky side
More Grilled Recipes
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Traeger Grilled Lemon Dill Salmon
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Traeger Verde Grilled Chicken Breasts
Eat More Burgers
- Smoked brat burgers
- Bacon bleu cheese burgers
- Blackstone smashburgers
- Smashburger tacos
Grilled Bison Burger
Bison blended with a bit of ground pork produces one of the juiciest, most flavorful burgers you can grill. Keep the seasoning simple so the meat remains the star; finish with melted cheese and your favorite toppings for a classic, satisfying sandwich.
15 minutes
20 minutes
35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground bison
- 1 ½ pounds ground pork
- 2 tablespoons SPG-style seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic)
- 6 slices Colby Jack cheese
- 6 burger buns
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker or pellet grill to 375°F for direct grilling.
- Gently combine the ground bison and pork, then form into even patties. Season both sides with SPG-style seasoning.
- Grill the burgers directly on the grates for about 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches roughly 140–145°F for medium doneness. Adjust time for thicker patties or desired doneness.
- Place cheese on each patty in the final minute of cooking and close the lid until melted.
- Toast buns if desired, assemble burgers with your favorite toppings, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 747
Total Fat: 43g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 171mg
Sodium: 605mg
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 54g