Ground bison offers a tasty and healthy alternative to beef. It’s leaner and packed with nutrients like iron and protein.

Many people are looking for new ways to cook with this versatile meat.

These 15 ground bison recipes will help you create delicious meals at home. You’ll find options for meatballs, burgers, meatloaf, and more.

Whether you’re new to cooking with bison or a seasoned pro, these recipes provide fresh ideas for your kitchen.

1. Bison Chili

Bison chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for chilly days. To make it, start by browning ground bison in a large pot or Dutch oven.

Add diced onions and bell peppers to the pot and cook until softened.

Then, stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef stock.

Season your chili with chili powder, cumin, and other spices to taste. For extra depth, consider adding a touch of brown sugar and cider vinegar.

Let the chili simmer for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld.

You can add beans if you like, or keep it bean-free for a Texas-style chili.

Serve your bison chili hot, topped with your favorite garnishes like cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

2. Bison Burgers

Bison burgers are a tasty and healthier alternative to beef burgers. To make them, mix ground bison meat with spices in a bowl. Shape the mixture into patties about 3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.

Cook the burgers on a grill or in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Bison cooks faster than beef, so keep an eye on them. They’re best served medium-rare to medium.

Add your favorite toppings like cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Serve on a bun or try a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option.

Enjoy your juicy bison burger!

3. Bison Meatloaf

Bison meatloaf is a tasty twist on a classic comfort food. You can make it using ground bison instead of beef for a leaner, more flavorful dish.

Mix ground bison with ingredients like onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Add spices such as oregano and basil for extra flavor.

Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish. Some recipes suggest topping it with bacon strips for added richness.

Bake the meatloaf in a preheated oven at 350°F. The cooking time will vary based on the size of your loaf.

Serve your bison meatloaf with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a satisfying meal.

4. Bison Tacos

Bison tacos are a tasty twist on a classic dish. You can make them using ground bison instead of beef.

Heat oil in a skillet and cook onions until soft. Add garlic and peppers, then sauté for a few more minutes.

Brown the ground bison in the pan. Drain excess fat if needed. Mix in taco seasoning and tomato paste.

Serve the bison filling in taco shells. Top with cheese, lettuce, and your favorite salsa or sauce.

You can also try adding pineapple for a sweet kick. Bison tacos are lean, flavorful, and ready in about 20 minutes.

5. Bison Stew

Bison stew is a hearty dish that’s perfect for cold days. You’ll need ground bison, vegetables, and broth to make this comforting meal.

Start by browning the ground bison in a large pot. Add chopped carrots, celery, and onions for flavor and nutrition.

Pour in beef or vegetable broth and let it simmer. You can add potatoes, mushrooms, or squash for extra substance.

Season with herbs like thyme or rosemary. Let the stew cook slowly until the meat is tender and the flavors blend.

Serve your bison stew hot with crusty bread for a filling and tasty dinner.

6. Bison Shepherd’s Pie

Bison Shepherd’s Pie is a tasty twist on a classic comfort food. You’ll love this hearty dish made with lean ground bison instead of traditional lamb or beef.

To make it, brown the bison in a skillet with onions, carrots, and peas. Add some broth and seasonings to create a flavorful base.

Top the meat mixture with creamy mashed potatoes and bake until golden. The result is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for cold evenings.

This recipe is a great way to introduce bison into your diet. It’s leaner than beef but still packed with protein and flavor.

7. Bison Bolognese

Bison bolognese offers a leaner twist on the classic Italian dish. Ground bison replaces beef, creating a protein-rich sauce with less fat.

To make it, brown the bison in a large pot. Add diced onions, carrots, and garlic for flavor. Pour in crushed tomatoes and let the sauce simmer.

Herbs like oregano and basil enhance the taste. Some recipes include red wine for depth.

Serve your bison bolognese over pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.

This hearty meal is perfect for family dinners. You can make a big batch and freeze portions for quick future meals.

8. Bison Stir Fry

Bison stir fry is a quick and tasty meal you can whip up in no time. Start by slicing your bison thinly against the grain.

Heat some oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.

Toss in your favorite veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, and onions. Cook them for a few minutes until they start to soften.

Add the bison and cook until it’s no longer pink.

For flavor, mix in some soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. You can also add a splash of rice vinegar for tang.

Serve your bison stir fry over rice or noodles for a filling dinner.

9. Bison Stuffed Peppers

Bison stuffed peppers offer a tasty twist on a classic dish. To make them, start by cooking ground bison in a skillet until browned.

Add chopped onions, carrots, and zucchini to the meat. Cook until the veggies soften. Mix in garlic, herbs, and cooked rice.

Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with the bison mixture. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cook at 375°F for about 40 minutes.

For extra flavor, top with shredded cheese before serving. This hearty meal combines lean bison with nutritious vegetables and grains.

10. Bison Meatballs

Bison meatballs are a tasty and healthy option for your next meal. You can make them easily in your oven.

Mix ground bison with an egg, breadcrumbs, and your favorite seasonings.

Form the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.

Cook them at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes. The meatballs will be juicy and full of flavor.

You can serve bison meatballs with pasta, in sandwiches, or as appetizers. They’re lower in fat than beef meatballs but still very satisfying.

Try them with a BBQ sauce or in a savory bourbon sauce for extra flavor.

11. Bison Sloppy Joes

Bison sloppy joes offer a leaner twist on the classic comfort food. To make them, brown ground bison in a pan with onions and garlic.

Add tomato sauce, ketchup, and spices like paprika, chili powder, and cumin. Simmer the mixture until it thickens.

Serve the saucy bison on whole wheat buns for a hearty meal. You can add green peppers or pickle relish for extra flavor and crunch.

This quick recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a tasty, protein-packed dinner.

12. Bison Enchiladas

Bison enchiladas offer a tasty twist on a classic Mexican dish. To make them, cook ground bison with onions, garlic, and spices like chili powder and cumin.

Wrap the seasoned meat in corn tortillas and place them in a baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake until the cheese melts and the edges are crispy.

You can garnish your bison enchiladas with chopped green onions or sour cream.

This recipe is a great way to enjoy lean bison meat in a flavorful, comforting meal. It’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy your craving for Tex-Mex cuisine.

13. Bison Lasagna

Bison lasagna offers a leaner twist on the classic Italian dish. You can make it by layering noodles with a flavorful bison meat sauce and cheese.

Start by browning ground bison in a skillet. Add onions, garlic, and spices like oregano. Mix in tomato sauce and paste to create a rich meat sauce.

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions.

In a baking dish, alternate layers of noodles, meat sauce, and cheese. Use a mix of mozzarella, cottage cheese, and Parmesan for extra flavor.

Bake your bison lasagna in a preheated 350°F oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving.

You’ll enjoy a hearty, protein-packed meal with less fat than traditional beef lasagna.

14. Bison Kebabs

Bison kebabs are a tasty and easy way to enjoy this lean meat. You can make them with ground bison or cubed bison meat.

For ground bison kebabs, mix the meat with spices like garlic, cumin, and paprika. Shape the mixture around skewers and chill them for at least 2 hours.

If using cubed bison, marinate the meat chunks before threading them onto skewers.

Add vegetables like bell peppers and onions between the meat pieces for extra flavor.

Grill the kebabs over medium-high heat, turning occasionally. Cook until the bison is charred and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious bison kebabs!

15. Bison Nachos

Bison nachos offer a tasty twist on a classic favorite. You’ll love the lean, flavorful meat in this dish.

Start by cooking ground bison in a pan with olive oil. Add taco seasoning for extra flavor.

While the meat cooks, arrange tortilla chips on a baking sheet.

Top the chips with the cooked bison, black beans, salsa, cheese, and jalapeños. Layer these ingredients for the best taste.

Bake the nachos until the cheese melts.

Serve hot with fresh cilantro on top. Your friends and family will enjoy this healthier take on nachos.

Health Benefits of Ground Bison

Ground bison offers many health advantages. It’s a nutritious meat choice that can boost your diet.

Nutritional Value

Ground bison packs a lot of nutrition into each serving. It’s high in protein, with about 22 grams per 3-ounce portion. This meat is also low in fat, with only about 6 grams in the same amount.

Bison contains fewer calories than beef. A 3-ounce serving has around 130 calories. This makes it a good pick if you’re watching your calorie intake.

It’s also rich in iron, zinc, and selenium. These minerals help your body work well.

Lean Protein Source

Bison is one of the leanest red meats you can eat. It has less fat than most beef cuts.

The fat in bison is mostly unsaturated. This type of fat is better for your heart health.

Eating lean protein like bison can help you feel full. This may aid in weight control.

Bison’s low fat content means it cooks faster than beef. Be careful not to overcook it, or it might get dry.

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Ground bison is packed with important vitamins and minerals. It’s a great source of B vitamins, especially B12. Your body needs B12 for healthy nerves and blood cells.

Bison meat offers a good amount of iron. Iron helps carry oxygen in your blood. This can boost your energy levels.

You’ll also get phosphorus and niacin from bison. These nutrients support bone health and help turn food into energy.

Bison contains more omega-3 fatty acids than beef. These fats are good for your heart and brain.

Cooking Tips for Ground Bison

Ground bison needs special care in the kitchen. Its lean nature affects how you handle, store, and cook it. Here are key tips to get the best results with this flavorful meat.

Handling and Storage

Keep ground bison cold until you’re ready to cook. Store it in the fridge at 40°F or below. Use within 2 days of buying, or freeze for up to 4 months.

Thaw frozen bison in the fridge, not on the counter. This keeps it safe to eat.

When making patties, don’t overwork the meat. Gentle handling keeps it tender.

Shape patties just before cooking. If you make them ahead, chill them covered in the fridge.

Clean your hands, utensils, and surfaces after touching raw bison. This stops the spread of bacteria.

Flavor Pairing Suggestions

Bison has a mild, sweet taste that pairs well with many flavors. Try these combos:

• Garlic and rosemary
• Sage and thyme
• Chili powder and cumin
• Worcestershire sauce and mustard
• Maple syrup and black pepper

Add these to your bison dishes for extra taste. Don’t use too many strong flavors at once. They can overpower bison’s natural taste.

Bison also goes well with:

• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Bell peppers
• Tomatoes
• Cheese (especially sharp cheddar or blue cheese)

Best Cooking Methods

Cook bison at a lower temp than beef. It has less fat and cooks faster.

Use medium heat for best results.

Grilling: Preheat grill to medium. Cook patties 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare.

Pan-frying: Heat pan over medium. Cook 3-4 minutes per side.

Oven-baking: Cook at 350°F for about 20 minutes.

Don’t overcook bison. It gets dry and tough.

Aim for medium-rare to medium. Use a meat thermometer to check. 145°F is medium-rare.

For ground bison in sauces or casseroles, brown it first. Then add other ingredients. This locks in flavor and juices.