Keto Grilled Bison Burgers
Lean ground bison seasoned with garlic, onion, and Worcestershire forms the base for these grilled burgers, topped with melted American cheese, crispy oven-baked bacon, and a crunchy layer of fried onions. Brioche buns are lightly toasted on the grill, then assembled with lettuce, tomato, and barbecue sauce for a sophisticated take on the classic burger.
Ingredients
- 8 bacon slices, uncooked
- 1 pound ground bisonground beef1:1neutral
beef replaces lean game meat
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 brioche hamburger buns
- 4 slices American cheese
- ⅓ cup barbecue sauce
- 4 green lettuce leaves
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 bag (31/2-ounce) crispy onionsfried shallots1:1neutral
more delicate onion flavor
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- 2
Arrange bacon in a single layer on the sheet and bake for 12 to 14 minutes until fully cooked and crisp.
- 3
Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine ground bison, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.
- 5
Divide mixture into four equal pieces and form into round, flat patties.
- 6
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- 7
Toast buns on the grill for 30 to 60 seconds and transfer to a plate.
- 8
Place patties on the grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes.
- 9
Flip patties and grill for 4 to 5 minutes more, until almost cooked through.
- 10
Top each patty with a cheese slice and cook for 1 minute until melted, reaching an internal temperature of 160 F.
- 11
Spread barbecue sauce on each bun, layer with lettuce and tomatoes, top with patty, crispy onions, and bacon, then cover with top bun.
Tips
Form patties with a slight dimple in the center to prevent them from puffing up during grilling.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure burgers reach 160 F for food safety.
Toast buns lightly to add texture without making them too firm.
Good to Know
Cooked burgers (without buns) refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container. Cooked bacon stores up to 5 days.
Prepare patties up to 4 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate. Bake bacon in advance and reheat gently before serving.
Serve immediately while burgers are hot and cheese is melted. Serve with additional barbecue sauce, condiments, and sides like fries or coleslaw.
Common Mistakes
Overwork the meat mixture to avoid dense, dry burgers.
Do not skip the cheese melting step to avoid flavorless toppings.
Do not grill patties beyond 160 F internal temperature to avoid dry meat.
Substitutions
more delicate onion flavor