California-Style Bison Burger

by Heidi Larsen Updated: Jul 6, 2026

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Lean, natural ground bison with a simple seasoning of kosher salt and pepper creates a simple yet delicious burger dressed with fresh, California-style toppings.

a bison burger topped with cheese, tomato, sprouts, and avocado

This post is in partnership with Kroger.

Skip the Ground Beef and Grill Bison Burgers Instead

I love my bacon-laden cheeseburgers as much as the next gal, but I also appreciate a lean burger that still has good flavor. And bison meat is a great choice for that.

Bison are raised on ranches or farms where they graze on grass, so their meat tends to be leaner, with less cholesterol and more heart-healthy omega-3s.

I was inspired to keep with the healthy flavors by making this bison burger recipe California-style. And what’s more Californian than avocado, fresh tomato, and sprouts?!!

And don’t forget the cheese! A slice of creamy Havarti adds the perfect mellow, melty cheesiness every burger needs.

Enjoy!

PS. If you want to make this true California-style, take a cue from In-n-Out and make it “protein-style” by leaving out the bun and wrapping bison burger patty in an extra large leaf of red leaf lettuce instead.

a package of ground bison with tomatoes, avocado, and onion

What’s in This Recipe?

The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground bison — I get my ground bison meat in the meat aisle at my local Kroger (Smith’s Marketplace), right alongside the other meats, making it an easy choice to make. The Simple Truth line delivers products that are minimally processed, minus the use of added hormones or the use of antibiotics in any of their meats, and all Simple Truth meats are fed a 100% vegetarian diet.
Seasonings — With this brand of ground bison, I’ve found no reason to add anything else to the burger to flavor it other than salt and pepper. So you can put away your panko crumbs, egg yolks and Worcestershire sauce. We’re having burgers tonight friends, not meatloaf.
Cheese — I prefer pairing my bison burgers with creamy havarti, but a mild cheddar, Swiss, or good ol’ American cheese may be used.
Toppings — Ketchup, mayo, and even my beloved pickles are shelved in favor of spicy Dijon mustard, leafy green lettuce, a few thick slices of onion, avocado, and tomato. And don’t forget the sprouts! Broccoli, alfalfa, or radish sprouts all work great.
Burger buns — Buy your favorite, or keep your burger low-carb by serving in lettuce.

What does a bison burger taste like? Ground bison tastes very similar to ground beef, it’s just a little leaner and tastes less greasy. Personally I think bison burgers taste beefier, with a subtle sweetness. And no, bison doesn’t taste even remotely gamey!

How to Make Bison Burgers

Shape and season your burger patties. Like all burgers, I find the least amount of handling creates the best burger flavor. And simple flavors for this burger are best, which is why I seasoned the ground bison with just salt and pepper.
Grill over medium-high heat. We’re grilling ¼ pound burger patties here, which need to cook for roughly 3 minutes per side.

Heidi’s Tip: Because the meat is 85% lean, the right cooking time is important. Just like other meats, bison cooking standards are 160ºF internal temperature. That DOES NOT mean you have to cook it to a charred, well-done burger puck. A few minutes on each side on a hot grill will keep your burgers meaty and juicy.

Add the cheese. After topping the patties with slices of cheese, close the grill lid and let cook for another minute or so (just until the cheese is nice and melty but isn’t sliding off).
Assemble your burgers. Don’t forget to toast your buns before adding the burger patties and all the fixings.

two California style bison burgers with potato chips

Sides to Make This a Meal

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below, leave a comment to tell us what you think, and tag me on Instagram @foodiecrush.

5 from 3 votes