Bison's Best Cheese Companions: A Flavorful Guide

Bison is a lean meat that is raised responsibly without the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, and steroids. It is also free to roam the ranch for most of its life. This makes it a high-quality meat with great taste. Bison is often used to make burgers, and there are many ways to cook and eat a bison burger. One popular recipe includes topping the burger with cheese. Some popular cheeses to use are Wisconsin white cheddar, Havarti, feta, blue cheese, and pepperjack.

California-style bison burgers with Havarti cheese

Bison burgers are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. Bison meat is leaner than beef, with less cholesterol and more heart-healthy omega-3s. It also has a slightly sweeter taste.

One way to prepare bison burgers is in the style of California. This involves keeping the burgers simple and healthy, with just a seasoning of salt and pepper, and adding fresh, California-style toppings.

For a true California-style bison burger, you can skip the bun and go "protein-style" by wrapping the burger in a large leaf of red leaf lettuce. You can also add some spicy Dijon mustard, leafy green lettuce, and thick slices of onion.

Now, for the cheese. A slice of creamy Havarti is a perfect choice for a California-style bison burger. It adds a mellow, melty cheesiness that goes well with the other flavours.

Ingredients:

• 12-ounce package of natural ground bison
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 slices of Havarti cheese
• 3 large leaves of red leaf lettuce
• 2-3 sliced rings of yellow onion
• 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and sliced
• Sprouts such as broccoli alfalfa or radish
• 3 hamburger buns
• Dijon mustard

Instructions:

• Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
• Divide the bison into three portions and gently form them into patties about 3 ½ to 4 inches wide.
• Season the patties generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Place the patties on the grill or grill pan and cook for about 3 minutes on both sides, or until done to your liking.
• Add a slice of Havarti cheese to each patty and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
• Place the buns on the grill and toast for about 1 minute on each side.
• Spread both sides of the bun with Dijon mustard.
• Layer each bun with lettuce, a few rings of onion, avocado slices, a bison burger patty, sliced tomato, and sprouts.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy California-style bison burgers with the perfect touch of creamy Havarti cheese!

Greek bison burgers with feta cheese

Ingredients:

• Ground bison meat
• Feta cheese
• Dijon mustard
• Dried oregano
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Baby spinach (optional)
• Toppings of your choice (butter lettuce, red onion, toasted buns, tomato, ketchup, mustard, etc.)

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, mix the ground bison meat, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and crumbled feta cheese. If desired, add finely chopped baby spinach for some extra nutrition.
• Form the mixture into equal-sized patties, about ½ inch thick.
• Preheat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat, or set your grill to medium-high (around 375°F to 400°F). Grease the cooking surface with cooking spray or oil.
• Cook the bison burgers for 2-4 minutes on each side for a medium-well doneness. Adjust the cooking time according to your desired level of doneness.
• Once cooked, assemble your Greek bison burgers with your chosen toppings and buns. Toasted buns or sourdough buns go well with these burgers, and you can top them with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and your favourite condiments.
• Serve your Greek bison burgers with a side of Greek salad for a complete Mediterranean experience!

Some tips for making the best Greek bison burgers:

• Avoid overmixing the bison burger mixture to prevent a dense texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the burgers reach the desired level of doneness. Aim for an internal temperature of 140-145°F for medium doneness.
• Allow the cooked burgers to rest for a few minutes before serving to ensure they stay juicy.
• You can also air fry or pan-sear the bison burgers. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or adjust the time according to your desired doneness.
• If you don't have feta cheese, you can use crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese, or shredded cheddar cheese as alternatives.

Enjoy your juicy and flavourful Greek bison burgers with feta cheese!

Bison burgers with Wisconsin cheddar

Bison Burgers with Cabernet Onions and Wisconsin Cheddar

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 cups sliced onions (about 2)
• 3/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon or other dry red wine
• 1 pound ground bison (buffalo)
• 2 tablespoons chopped shallots
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 organic hamburger buns
• 6 ounces sliced Wisconsin white cheddar cheese
• 1 small head of escarole, leaves separated

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with salt. Sauté until tender and golden brown, stirring often, for about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to sauté until very tender and well browned, for about 15 minutes. Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed, for about 5 minutes. This step can be done ahead of time and stored for up to 3 days.

Preheat the broiler. Gently mix the meat, shallots, salt, and thyme in a large bowl. Shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy large skillet over high heat. Sprinkle the burgers with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook until well browned, about 2 minutes per side for medium-rare.

Open the buns and arrange them, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the cheese slices on the bun tops. Broil until the cheese melts and the bottom halves are lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Spread the bottom halves with mustard. Top each with a few escarole leaves, then the burger. Spoon the onions on top of the burgers, dividing them equally. Cover with the bun tops and press lightly.

Bison burgers with blue cheese

Bison meat is a great alternative to regular beef, with a slightly sweet flavour and a leaner texture. It is also healthier, with less cholesterol and more heart-healthy omega-3s. When cooking with bison, it is best to avoid overcooking the meat as this can make it chewy. Instead, aim for medium or medium-rare.

Blue cheese is a strong and tangy cheese that can be a great complement to bison burgers. Here is a recipe for bison burgers with blue cheese, inspired by the "Bison Sliders with Blue Cheese Gremolata and Onion Jam" mentioned on NebraskaBison.com:

Ingredients:

• Ground bison meat
• Blue cheese, crumbled
• Onion, sliced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Hamburger buns
• Arugula or other leafy greens
• Tomato, sliced
• Mustard

Instructions:

• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and a pinch of salt, sautéing until soft and translucent. Continue cooking until the onions are caramelised and a deep golden brown. Set aside.
• In a bowl, mix the ground bison meat with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.
• Heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Add the bison burgers and cook for about 2 minutes on each side for medium-rare.
• Open the hamburger buns and place them cut-side up on a baking sheet. Top the bottom halves with arugula and tomato slices, and the top halves with the crumbled blue cheese.
• Broil the buns until the cheese is melted and the bottoms are lightly toasted.
• Spread mustard on the bottom bun halves. Add the bison burger patties and top with the caramelised onions. Cover with the bun tops and serve.

This recipe combines the robust flavour of bison with the tanginess of blue cheese and the sweetness of caramelised onions, creating a delicious and unique burger experience.

Some other cheese and topping combinations that go well with bison burgers include:

• Wisconsin cheddar and Cabernet onions
• Havarti and avocado
• Feta cheese and Mediterranean toppings
• Pepperjack cheese, jalapeños, and chipotle mayo

Bison burgers with pepperjack cheese

Bison burgers are a delicious alternative to traditional beef burgers. The meat is leaner, with less cholesterol and more heart-healthy omega-3s. It is also raised without the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, and steroids, and the animals are free to roam the ranch for most of their lives.

When cooking a bison burger, it is best to aim for a medium or medium-rare cook. Going for well-done or medium-well will result in a chewy burger that has lost its juicy flavour.

One tasty recipe for a bison burger is to include pepperjack cheese. This spicy cheese pairs well with the bison meat and can be accompanied by other toppings such as jalapeños, chipotle mayo, and an array of seasonings to give the burger a kick.

To make a bison burger with pepperjack cheese, start by forming the ground bison into patties. Season the patties generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the patties on a preheated grill or grill pan and cook for about 3 minutes on both sides until done to your liking. Add a slice of pepperjack cheese to each patty and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

You can also toast the buns on the grill for about 1 minute on each side. Spread both sides of the bun with spicy Dijon mustard, and then layer on the toppings. In addition to the pepperjack cheese, you could add lettuce, onion rings, avocado slices, sprouts, jalapeños, and chipotle mayo.

So, the next time you're looking for a juicy burger with a kick, try a bison burger with pepperjack cheese!

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