Oregon Bison Burgers with Tillamook Cheddar

Introduction

Juicy, hearty, and packed with bold Pacific Northwest flavor, these Oregon Bison Burgers with Tillamook Cheddar are a gourmet take on the classic burger. Using the high-performance Arteflame Grill, we create steakhouse-quality sear and succulent, juicy patties. Grill smarter and more flavorful with this no-fuss backyard recipe that truly makes the most of the grill’s unique design.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground bison
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices Tillamook sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 brioche buns
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for griddling buns and patties)
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• Butter lettuce leaves
• Tomato slices
• Dill pickles (optional)
• Your favorite burger sauce or garlic aioli

The Sear Makes the Steak, And Arteflame Makes the Sear

Why settle for low-temperature searing when you can achieve steakhouse-quality results with an Arteflame? Gas grills take longer, drying out your steak, while the Arteflame sears at 1000°F in just one minute, locking in juices for perfection.

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Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Place three paper napkins in the fire bowl center.
2. Pour a little vegetable oil on each napkin.
3. Stack firewood over the soaked napkins.
4. Light the napkins and let the fire burn for about 20 minutes until the cooking surface reaches optimal grilling temperature, especially the center grate that gets over 1,000°F.

Step 2: Prepare the bison patties

1. In a large bowl, gently mix the ground bison with Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and black pepper.
2. Form into 4 equally sized burger patties, handling the meat minimally to retain its texture.

Step 3: Sear and reverse-sear the patties

1. Place the patties on the center grill grate for an intense sear—about 45 seconds to 1 minute per side—to lock in the juices.
2. After searing, move the patties to the flat cooktop griddle closer to the edge to cook them gently to your preferred doneness (Medium Rare: 130°F, Medium: 140°F). Remove the patties when they are 15°F below your target temp as they will continue to cook when resting.

Step 4: Toast the buns and melt the cheese

1. Butter the cut side of the brioche buns and place them face-down on the flat cooktop until golden and crispy.
2. Place a slice of Tillamook cheddar on each patty and cover with a dome or tent with foil briefly to melt.

Step 5: Assemble the burgers

1. Spread a thin layer of your favorite burger sauce on each toasted bun bottom.
2. Add butter lettuce, a slice of tomato, the cheesy bison patty, pickles (if using), and red onion.
3. Top with the bun lid and serve immediately hot off the grill.

Tips

• Use butter instead of oil to enhance flavor and improve the sear.
• Let the patties rest for 5 minutes before serving to ensure juiciness.
• A digital meat thermometer is essential for perfect doneness.
• Use the inner zones of the flat cooktop for higher heat and the outer zones for gently grilling items like buns or onions.

Variations

1. Spicy Oregon Bison Burger: Add diced jalapeños to the bison mix and top with pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
2. Sweet Onion BBQ Bison Burger: Caramelize onions on the flat griddle and brush patties with your favorite Oregon-style BBQ sauce during the final minutes.
3. Mushroom Swiss Bison Burger: Sauté mushrooms on the flat cooktop with butter and garlic, then top the burger with melted Swiss cheese.
4. Bacon Avocado Bison Burger: Grill thick-cut bacon slices and add fresh avocado slices to the burger stack.
5. Blue Cheese & Arugula Bison Burger: Swap cheddar for crumbled blue cheese and top with a handful of peppery arugula tossed in lemon juice.

Best pairings

• Sweet potato fries grilled on the Arteflame flat cooktop
• Charred corn on the cob with garlic butter
• Grilled pineapple slices for a sweet kick
• Pacific Northwest IPA or a crisp Oregon Pinot Noir
• Homemade coleslaw with apple cider vinaigrette

Conclusion

With bold Oregon flavors and the perfect grill setup, these bison burgers you make on the Arteflame Grill are nothing short of exceptional. Juicy perfection with nuttiness from Tillamook cheddar, every element grilled to sizzle and shine. Fire up your Arteflame and make these an instant backyard favorite!