Skip to Content

Huckleberry Bison Cheeseburgers Recipe (Yellowstone National Park)

By: Author Bram Reusen

Posted on Last updated:

Huckleberry bison cheeseburgers recipe inspired by: Yellowstone National Park, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho (alternatively: Grand Teton National Park)

Few recipes are so iconically “Yellowstone” as huckleberry bison burgers. The link between bison and Yellowstone National Park is obvious—the park being the only place in the United States where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times.

Huckleberries, too, are abundant throughout the park. And picking them is actually allowed!

You can’t take anything you forage in Yellowstone outside the national park, though, but this would still make for an amazing camp dinner.

Bison burgers grilled on the campfire grill, topped with melted cheese, a freshly made huckleberry compote, and slathered with a roasted bell pepper aioli… I honestly can’t think of a greater Yellowstone National Park-inspired dinner than that.

You can, of course, also make this huckleberry bison burger recipe at home.

Fire up the grill, roast some peppers, toast some buns, and grill some burgers. A perfect Fourth of July recipe for national park enthusiasts, if you ask me!

Huckleberry Bison Cheeseburger With Roasted Bell Pepper Aioli Inspired by Yellowstone

This Yellowstone National Park-inspired recipe for huckleberry bison cheeseburgers contains affiliate links. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here.

Yellowstone Huckleberry Bison Cheeseburgers

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 45 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Calories per serving: 1033

Bison burgers are a staple at many dining establishments in Yellowstone National Park. It is featured on menus in places like Grant Village, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and the Roosevelt Lodge.

You’ll also see a variety of huckleberry items on menus in Yellowstone, especially huckleberry ice cream and huckleberry cocktails.

In this Yellowstone bison cheeseburger recipe, we’re making a huckleberry compote. The sweetness of the compote pairs perfectly with the gamey flavor of bison, while the roasted bell pepper aioli adds a pungent punch.

Plus, you can use the leftover huckleberry compote to make a delicious Yellowstone National Park-inspired huckleberry crisp!

Huckleberry Bison Cheeseburger Inspired by Yellowstone

Necessary Kitchen Tools

Huckleberry Bison Cheeseburger Inspired by Yellowstone National Park
Yield: 4 servings

Yellowstone Huckleberry Bison Cheeseburgers Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Inspired by the abundant flora and fauna of Yellowstone National Park, this huckleberry bison cheeseburger recipe is a fun national park grilling idea. Sweet berries, game, cheese, and garlic come together to create a mouthwatering Yellowstone burger!

Ingredients

Huckleberry Compote

  • 2 cups fresh huckleberries
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Roasted Bell Pepper Aioli

  • 1 roasted red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 garlic gloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Bison Cheeseburgers

  • 1 lb. ground bison
  • 4 brioche hamburger buns
  • 4 slices of cheese of your choice
  • 1 cup whole spinach leaves
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

Huckleberry Compote

  1. Add huckleberries, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and sugar to a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until huckleberries begin to burst.
  3. Meanwhile, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl or cup.
  4. Gently pour cornstarch and water mixture into the huckleberry compote, stirring constantly as you do so.
  5. Continue simmering over medium heat until the huckleberry compote thickens, about 5 more minutes.
  6. Set aside and let cool.

Roasted Bell Pepper Aioli

  1. Add diced roasted bell pepper, mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil to a small mixing bowl. Stir well to combine.
  2. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  3. Place aioli in the fridge until ready to use.

Bison Cheeseburgers

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high (or light charcoal briquettes)
  2. Divide the ground bison into 4 equal parts. Shape each part into a patty of about 1/2 inch thick. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Split the burger buns and lightly toast them on the grill, cut sides down, until golden brown.
  4. Put bison burger patties on the grill. Grill for approximately 4-5 minutes, then flip burgers and grill for another 4-5 minutes (more or less depending on your doneness preference). Place cheese slices on the burgers about 1-2 minutes after flipping.
  5. Remove bison cheeseburgers from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Place cheeseburgers on the bottom buns. Top with huckleberry compote, red onion slices, and a few spinach leaves. Slather roasted bell pepper aioli on the top buns before placing them on top of the bison cheeseburgers.
  7. Enjoy!

Notes

Note 1: If you can't find any fresh huckleberries where you live, or if they're not in season, you can use blueberries as a substitute.

Note 2: Some people don't like the gamey flavor of bison. If that applies to you, you can simply use regular ground beef instead for an equally as delicious huckleberry cheeseburger.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 1033Total Fat 66gSaturated Fat 25gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 36gCholesterol 242mgSodium 946mgCarbohydrates 68gFiber 5gSugar 30gProtein 43g

A general nutrition calculator was used to determine the nutritional information of this recipe, which is meant solely as an indication of the dish's nutritional values. Depending on specific ingredients, quantities used and/or serving size, the ultimate dish you end up making may have different nutritional aspects. Please consider the information provided here only as guidance and not as an absolute fact.

© Bram
Cuisine: Meat / Category: Meat Recipes
If You Decide to Make This Fun Huckleberry Bison Cheeseburger Recipe Inspired by Yellowstone National Park at Home, Feel Free to Tell Everyone About It Below! Happy Cooking!

More Grilling Recipes Inspired by the National Parks

Skip to Recipe