May. 22, 2020

Spicy Bison Burger with Grilled Apples

Yield: 4 servings

Skill level: Moderate

These bison burgers with grilled apples offer a bold, elevated take on a classic meal. Lean, protein-rich bison is seasoned with warm spices and paired with smoky grilled apples and tangy blue cheese for a perfectly balanced bite. Served in crisp lettuce wraps and accompanied by herb-seasoned apple fries, this recipe brings together sweet, savory, and smoky flavors in a creative and satisfying way.

Bison burgers topped with grilled apples and blue cheese. A bold, sweet and savory twist on a classic.

Ingredients

For the burger

  • 1-pound ground bison
  • 1 medium jalapeno pepper*, de-seeded and diced small
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon crushed Aleppo chili
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ large Granny Smith apple, cut into 4 thin slices
  • 4 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles, divided
  • 4 large leaves of lettuce

For the fries

  • 4 Large Granny Smith apples
  • 6 tablespoons. olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons. fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ¾ tsp. black pepper
  • Flakey sea salt

Directions

  1. Mix your ground bison, garlic powder, kosher salt, crushed Aleppo chili pepper, smoked paprika, and jalapeno pepper together.
  2. Once well incorporated, make 4 4-ounce patties.
  3. Before placing burgers on the grill, cut apple slices and soak them in cold water.
  4. Grill patties for 4-5 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 135ᵒF, reserving a clean portion of the grill for apples to add later.
  5. Once you are halfway through grilling your burgers and you have flipped them, brush your apple slices with oil or butter and place them on the grill.
  6. Remove burgers and apples from the grill.

Burger Assembly

  1. Place 4 lettuce leaves on a flat surface.
  2. Place 1 grilled bison patty in the center of the leaf
  3. Top each bison patty with 1 grilled apple slice.
  4. Top each apple slice with 1 tbsp. blue cheese crumbles
  5. Wrap around with available lettuce

For the Fries

  1. Mix olive oil, chopped rosemary, garlic, and black pepper together in a bowl, set aside.
  2. Cut apples into uniform wedges using a French fry cutter or by hand. Make sure that the apple slices are large enough not to fall through your grill grate.
  3. Place the apple slices in the marinade and coat them completely.
  4. Over medium heat, place apple wedges on the grill.
  5. Grill for 2-3 minutes on two sides of your “fry.”
  6. Remove from the grill and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
  7. Serve immediately

*Chef’s Note: If spicy isn’t your thing, sub out jalapeno pepper for ½ sweet onion, chopped.

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