History

Bison returned to Colorado restaurants in the 1980s through Ted Turner's ranches in the San Luis Valley and the Rocky Mountain Bison Co-op. The bison burger replaced the elk burger as the city's dependable lean-game patty by the 2000s. The Buckhorn Exchange on Osage Street, holding Colorado liquor license number one, served bison from its 1893 opening; modern versions at Linger, Ace Eat Serve and the Cherry Creek hotel grills run leaner builds with brioche buns and brown-sugar bacon. Highland Tap and Burger keeps a Colorado-bison patty on the menu year-round.

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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 30 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 600g ground bison (or 500g bison plus 100g ground beef brisket for fat)
  • 4 brioche buns, split
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
  • 4 slices sharp Tillamook cheddar
  • Pickles, lettuce and tomato to garnish
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Method

  1. Sweat the onion in 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and amber, 25 minutes. Salt to taste.
  2. Form bison into 4 patties, 150g each. Press a small thumb dimple in the centre. Season heavily on both sides.
  3. Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; sear patties 2 minutes per side for medium-rare (50C internal). Bison overcooks fast; keep watch.
  4. Top with cheese in the last 30 seconds. Toast buns in remaining butter.
  5. Stack: bottom bun, lettuce, patty, cheese, charred onions, pickle, tomato, top bun. Serve immediately.

Tip from the editors. Bison has roughly 90 percent less fat than beef chuck; medium-well dries it out. Pull at 125F internal even if it looks pinker than you expect.

Where to eat colorado bison burger

Colorado bison burger in Denver

Linger ★ 4.3

$$ $13-22BrunchGlobal street food brunch

Linger in Denver is Justin Cucci's rooftop Highland room with a Saturday and Sunday brunch service, banh mi sliders and a 360-degree downtown view.

OrderBanh mi sliders and a smoked salmon bagel.

Directions

My Brother's Bar ★ 4.5

$$$ Cocktail barHistoric bar

My Brother's Bar in Denver is the city's oldest continuously-operating bar since 1873, a 15th Street institution with Jack Kerouac history. Family-friendly.

DrinkCheeseburger and a beer

FoodBurgers and bar food

Directions

Highland Tap and Burger ★ 4.1

$$ British gastropubUntil Daily until 24:00, weekends until 02:00

Highland Tap and Burger in Denver is the Highland gastropub on 32nd Avenue with a 2 am kitchen on weekends, bison burgers and 40 craft beer taps.

OrderBison burger with green chile and a Colorado pilsner.

TipThe basement bar takes the late-night Highland crowd; the kitchen runs until 1:45 am on weekends.

Directions

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