Bison Steak

This juicy, grilled bison steak is the perfect way to change things up at summer cookouts. Topped with garlicky avocado butter, you’ll be serving up these 10-minute steaks all afternoon.

Juicy Bison Steak Recipe

Topped with homemade garlic-avocado butter, these juicy bison steaks are infused with richness the minute they’re off the grill. A bit of fresh cilantro helps add brightness to every bite as well. On your plate in 10 minutes, they’ll be a go-to cookout recipe from now on, especially if you like subtly gamey proteins. Fire up the grill!

Why You’ll Love This Bison Ribeye Steak

After grilling these tender bison steaks and slathering them in creamy avocado butter, you might just forget about beef.

• Lean. Less fat means you can load up on more steaks if that’s what you want.
• Beginner-friendly. There are no complicated techniques or grill smarts required, you just need a timer.
• Great for cookouts. Roll out as many steaks as can fit on your grill in just 10 minutes.
• Simple. Good old salt and pepper are all you need to bring out the bison’s natural sweetness and subtle gamey flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

Aside from the bison, all the flavor’s packed in the homemade garlic-avocado butter. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

• Bison steaks – Use fresh or frozen (thawed).
• Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly-cracked pepper are best.
• Olive oil – Avocado oil works too.

For the Avocado Butter

• Butter – Unsalted butter is preferred. Ghee’s a good swap.
• Avocado – You can also use fresh guacamole.
• Garlic – Feel free to use fresh garlic, garlic paste, or powder.
• Cilantro – Reduce the amount by half if it’s dried.
• Salt and pepper – Add them to taste.

How To Cook Bison Steak

Make sure the grill’s nice and hot before you start cooking for the juiciest, most tender steaks. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

• Make the avocado butter. Mash all of the ingredients for the avocado butter in a bowl until smooth. Set it aside. You can also use the food processor.
• Grill it. Season the steaks with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil on both sides. Set the grill to medium-high. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove them from the heat.
• Serve. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes, slice, serve, and enjoy.

How Long Do You Cook Bison Steak?

Bison steak is quite lean and can dry out easily, so don’t over-cook it.

• Medium-rare. 2-2.5 minutes per side. It’ll have a pink center.
• Medium. 2.5-3 minutes per side. The center will be slightly pink.
• Well-cooked. 3-3.5 minutes per side. No pink center.

Tips for Success

Knowing what to do if the steaks have different thicknesses will make you feel like the ultimate grill master.

• Watch the temperature. Remove the steaks from the fridge 10-15 minutes before grilling. This allows them to come down to room temperature and cook evenly once they hit the grill.
• Marinate it. Transfer the steaks to a large Ziploc bag. Add 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic, 1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley, and 1/4-1/2 finely chopped serrano or jalapeño chili. Seal well and shake the bag. Stick it in the fridge overnight for more flavor. Remove the excess marinade and cook as usual.
• Use store-bought. If you don’t have enough time to make the avocado butter, use your favorite compound butter. It can be garlic-herb, chipotle-herb, etc.
• Pound it. When the steaks are thicker than 1″, place them in between two sheets of parchment or plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them until they’re 1″ throughout. Once they hit the grill, they’ll all have the same cooking time.

Serving Suggestions

Bison steak is great for dinner with veggie sides. Try it with my Spring Mix Salad or Goat Cheese Roasted Beet Salad. My Crispy Mini Potatoes are a classic as well. For fancy-looking but effortless ideas, go for my Stuffed Mushrooms and Instant Pot Artichoke. If you prefer pasta, this One Pot Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta is a go-to recipe.

Proper Storage

This recipe is so quick and easy, you can whip it up any night of the week without the need for freezing.

• Fridge: Place it in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• To reheat it: Sprinkle it with 1/2 teaspoon water. Microwave it for up to a minute or until warm. A pan over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side works too.

More Bison Recipes

• Easy Bison Bacon Meatloaf
• Bison Chili with Beer and Bacon {Gluten-Free}
• Bison Stew
• Bison Meatballs