Canadian Bison or Beef Burger
Bison has been central to Indigenous food culture for thousands of years, while Canadian beef reflects the ranching traditions of the Prairies. From Indigenous hunting grounds to Alberta’s cattle country and the Calgary Stampede, these burgers celebrate a proud Canadian food story — lean, flavourful, and best enjoyed straight off the grill.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
500 g (1 lb) ground bison or Canadian beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
4 burger buns (homemade or store-bought)
4 slices cheddar or Canadian cheese (optional)
Lettuce, tomato slices, and red onion rings
Dill pickles, to serve
Method
In a bowl, gently combine ground bison or beef with onion, garlic, Dijon, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Shape into 4 patties.
Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Cook patties 4–5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking. (Take care not to overcook bison, as it’s leaner than beef.)
Lightly toast the burger buns.
Assemble with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese if using.
Serve hot with dill pickles on the side.
Variations
Classic Prairie Style – Serve with cheddar cheese and homemade bread-and-butter pickles for crunch and tang.
Lighter Version – Skip the cheese and serve with arugula and tomato chutney for freshness.
BBQ Kick – Brush patties with smoky barbecue sauce during grilling for extra depth.
For thousands of years, bison sustained Indigenous peoples across the Prairies, providing not just food, but shelter, clothing, and tools from every part of the animal. Herds once numbered in the millions, shaping both the land and the cultures that depended on them. With colonization and overhunting in the 19th century, their numbers plummeted, threatening both the species and the way of life it supported. Today, bison have made a remarkable comeback, thanks to conservation efforts and Indigenous leadership in land stewardship. They remain a symbol of resilience and cultural identity, while also playing an important role in modern Canadian ranching. Cooking with bison connects us to this deep history — leaner and richer than beef, it’s a taste that’s uniquely tied to the Canadian Prairies and the peoples who first called them home.
Canadian Bison