Cooking Juicy, Flavorful Bison Burgers to Perfection on a George Foreman Grill

Bison meat, also known as buffalo makes for a delicious lean, and nutritious alternative to beef burgers. With its rich, slightly sweet taste and lower fat content, bison offers a healthier burger option without compromising on flavor. However, cooking bison burgers properly requires some technique, as the leanness of the meat means it can become dry if overcooked. Luckily, George Foreman grills provide an easy and convenient way to cook bison burgers to juicy, flavorful perfection right at home.

In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know to cook incredible bison burgers on your George Foreman grill including

• Benefits of cooking bison burgers on a George Foreman grill
• Tips for choosing high-quality bison meat
• Recommended prep steps before grilling
• Ideal cooking times and temperatures
• How to tell when your bison burgers are cooked properly
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Serving suggestions to complement the bison

Why Cook Bison Burgers on a George Foreman Grill?

George Foreman grills have several advantages that make them ideal for cooking bison burgers:

• Even heating: The sloped grilling surface and heating elements in the lid provide consistent, even heat distribution, preventing cold or hard spots. This allows the bison to cook evenly throughout.

• Reduced fat: The grilling process drains away excess fat and grease from the naturally lean bison meat for a healthier burger.

• Faster cooking: With heat coming from both the bottom and top at the same time, George Foreman grills can cook bison burgers faster than a traditional grill.

• Moist and tender results: The even heat ensures the burgers don’t dry out, while the fat draining achieves a moist, tender texture.

• Easy cleanup: With their sloped surfaces, George Foreman grills allow grease and fat to drip away from the bison burgers, keeping the grill tidy and minimizing cleanup.

Choosing High-Quality Bison Meat

The first step in cooking incredible bison burgers is selecting high-quality meat. Here are a few tips:

• Look for meat labeled “bison” rather than “buffalo,” which ensures it comes from sustainably farmed sources.

• Choose ground bison that has a ratio of 80% lean meat to 20% fat for the best texture and moisture.

• Avoid pre-formed bison burger patties, as they often have fillers and additives. Buy ground bison and make your own patties.

• Look for burgundy-red meat without many white marbling fat lines for the best leanness, flavor, and tenderness.

• Consider grass-fed bison for meat with a rich, beefy taste and healthy omega fatty acids.

Prep Steps Before Cooking Bison Burgers

Proper prep is key to grilling the perfect bison burger:

• Make patties: Divide the ground bison into equally sized patties about 4-6 ounces each and 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inches thick for ideal cooking. Handle the meat gently when shaping to avoid dense or dry spots.

• Create a divot: Use your thumb to make a shallow divot or dent on the top center of each patty before grilling. This prevents the burger from puffing up too much as it cooks.

• Season generously: Bison has a milder flavor than beef, so it benefits from bold seasoning. Coat both sides of the patties with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and any other seasonings you enjoy.

• Let sit: Allow the seasoned patties to rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before grilling. This helps them hold together better on the grill.

Grilling Bison Burgers on a George Foreman Grill

Now, it’s time to fire up the George Foreman and grill those bison burgers to perfection. Follow these steps:

• Preheat fully: Heat your George Foreman grill on high for 4-5 minutes before cooking. This ensures it reaches the proper temperature.

• Use a little oil: Lightly brush or mist the grilling plates with vegetable oil. This prevents sticking.

• Cook covered: Place the patties on the bottom grill plate and close the lid to allow even heating from the top and bottom.

• Cook 4-5 minutes per side: For 1⁄2 inch thick patties, cook for about 4-5 minutes on the first side until nicely seared. Flip over and cook 4-5 minutes on the second side.

• Check temperature: Bison burgers should reach an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety and proper doneness. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a patty. If needed, close grill and cook 1-2 minutes longer.

• Let rest: When finished grilling, transfer bison patties to a clean plate and let rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to reabsorb for a moist, tender burger.

How to Tell When Bison Burgers Are Cooked Correctly

With bison’s leanness, it’s important to avoid overcooking. Watch for these signs your bison burgers are cooked properly on the George Foreman grill:

• Internal temperature of 160°F
• Lightly firm but still tender and juicy texture
• Beautiful sear marks on the surface
• Reddish-pink color in the center
• No translucent raw meat left
• Clear juices

The burgers should reach medium doneness with a hints of pink in the middle, but no raw red meat left uneaten. Always use a food thermometer to confirm doneness.

Common Bison Burger Grilling Mistakes

It’s easy to dry out or overcook lean bison burgers. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Cooking at too high a temperature which can toughen and dry out the meat. Use medium-high heat on the George Foreman grill.

• Pressing down on the patties, which pushes out the juices. Let them cook undisturbed.

• Skipping the preheating step which prevents proper searing. Always preheat fully.

• Flipping the patties too often which can lead to uneven cooking. Only flip once.

• Adding cheese or toppings too early before the bison is fully cooked. Wait until the end to top.

• Not letting the burgers rest, resulting in dryness. Always allow 5 minutes of resting time.

Serving Your Bison Burgers

Your flavorful bison burgers deserve amazing accompaniments and toppings to complement their taste. Consider:

• Toasted brioche or pretzel buns for a delicious crunch

• Leafy greens like lettuce or arugula for freshness

• Sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for savory umami flavor

• Sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese for a melted topping

• Avocado slices for creaminess

• Tomato, pickles, and condiments like mustard, mayo or BBQ sauce for classic flavors

Cooking incredible bison burgers on your George Foreman grill is easy when you start with high-quality meat, properly season and shape the patties, use the right grilling times and temperatures, and avoid overcooking. In just 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy seriously delicious and healthy bison burgers cooked to juicy perfection. Dress them up with flavorful toppings and get ready to enjoy the next best thing to dining out!