Grilled Bison Burger with Utah Juniper-Smoked Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A smoky grilled bison burger enhanced with the aromatic flavor of Utah juniper wood and topped with sharp cheddar cheese for a hearty, regional twist. This American-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground bison, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb ground bison
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 smoked cheddar cheese slices
4 burger buns
2 tbsp butter
4 lettuce leaves
8 tomato slices
1 cup, soaked in water for 30 minutes Utah juniper wood chips

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Drain 1 cup soaked Utah juniper wood chips and place them on coals or in a smoker box to infuse smoke flavor.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb ground bison with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper; mix gently just until combined and form into 4 equal 1/2-inch thick patties.
Step 3: Place the patties on the grill and cook for 4 minutes per side, adding 1 slice smoked cheddar cheese on top of each patty during the last 1 minute to melt.
Step 4: While the burgers cook, lightly toast 4 burger buns brushed with 2 tbsp butter on the grill edges for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Step 5: Assemble each burger by placing 1 lettuce leaf and 2 tomato slices on the bottom bun, topping with the melted cheddar bison patty, and finishing with the top bun.