Buffalo and Bison Recipes

This spicy chili recipe uses ground buffalo. To step up the heat, use different peppers and experiment with the seasonings. This gets even better if you let it sit overnight. The chili is so good you'll need to find another way to use up your cheese and crackers.

A very tasty burger you won't feel guilty about eating. For extra flavor, you can also grill the red onion slices while the patties cook.

This buffalo meat dish is very tender and can be adjusted to fit your preference. This recipe can also be used for beef but will take longer to cook.

A delicious favorite, modified to be lower in fat and calories, and no one will know you didn't use ground beef.

Grilled bison burgers are 90% lean and only 10% fat.

When I went to the grocery, l could not find ground beef. Ground bison was the last package on the shelf, so it went home with me. I made the family bison burgers in the air fryer, and they were better than burgers on the grill! Juicy, full of flavor, and the liquid smoke adds just the hint of a grill flavor. With a slice of Gouda and toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, everyone commented on the burgers, and only I know they were bison, and not beef!

Paleo (eating like our pre-agricultural revolution ancestors ate) chili is made without beans. In the west we typically include beans, but I think even non-paleo eaters will enjoy this deep smoky flavorful chili. This is best made a day ahead so the flavors can meld together. Serve with green onions and sour cream.

This is a great tasting and easy stew using bison meat. Bison is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol than most other meats. It's great for a heart-healthy diet.

This recipe is inspired by the retro classic cocktail meatballs in grape jelly. I took that idea, along with my love of spicy orange beef, and came up with this combination.

Most people who replace their ground beef with buffalo, in recipes like meatballs, burgers, and meatloaf, are usually disappointed. Ground buffalo is much leaner than ground beef, which is the biggest challenge. In case you're new, it's the fat that provides most of the flavor and moisture. Also, for whatever reason, pre-packaged buffalo is ground very fine, almost to a paste, which can lead to a rubbery meatloaf, unless you use a few tricks.

Roasted Brussels sprouts are finished in a balsamic and garlic glaze and served with bison bacon pieces.

A savory one-pot Instant Pot® adaptation of my pasta with bison and veggies recipe. Top with chopped basil and shaved Parmesan, if desired.