Grilled Prairie Bison Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Smoked Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

Juicy bison patties grilled to perfection, topped with sweet caramelized onions and smoky cheddar cheese for a flavorful game day burger. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 35 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground bison
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 4 smoked cheddar cheese slices
• 4 burger buns
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 4 tomato slices

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. In a bowl, gently combine 1 lb ground bison with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, forming 4 equal patties about 3/4-inch thick.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until soft and caramelized.
3. Step 3: Place the bison patties on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes per side for medium doneness, or until an internal temperature of 160°F is reached. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with 1 slice smoked cheddar cheese and close the grill lid to melt.
4. Step 4: Toast 4 burger buns cut side down on the grill for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned.
5. Step 5: Assemble burgers by layering lettuce leaves, tomato slices, the cheesy bison patty, and caramelized onions on the bottom bun. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.