Ground bison is a lean and tasty alternative to traditional ground beef, making it a great choice for a healthy taco filling. Here’s a healthy recipe for Ground Bison Tacos that your whole family is sure to enjoy.

three bison tacos on a white plate.

Taco Tuesday can be enjoyed any day of the week with this Bison Taco recipe! It’s a nice alternative to regular ground meat, with even fewer calories but more protein than lean ground beef.

These Bison Tacos offer a healthier option with even more flavor. Even if your family is skeptical about eating bison meat, then probably won’t taste the difference once the tacos are topped with fresh toppings.

Contents hide
1 Bison Taco Benefits
2 Ingredients
3 Recipe Steps
4 Recipe Tips
5 Recipe FAQs
6 More Healthy Taco Recipes You Might Like
7 What to Serve With Bison Tacos
8 Ground Bison Tacos

Bison Taco Benefits

  • Not only is bison a leaner meat than beef but it is also known to have a richer flavor. Who wouldn’t want to serve up a tastier taco?!
  • Add any of your favorite taco toppings you like to this versatile dish. You can please a crowd with endless options.
  • This recipe is just as simple as traditional beef tacos, making it the perfect choice for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

ingredients for ground bison tacos on a counter.
  • Ground bison serves as the star to this protein-packed meal. Ground bison is both savory and satisfying without the extra fat and calories. Look for bison at most grocery stores (sometimes lean ground bison is found in the freezer section). See my related article about the nutritional benefits of bison.
  • Red peppers, garlic, seasonings, onion and jalapeno peppers give the bison a punch of heat and flavor without being too overpowering. I like using cumin and paprika but you can also use onion powder, taco seasoning, or garlic powder if you like.
  • Corn tortillas are used to serve these tacos, but they can easily be switched out for flour tortillas, lettuce wraps, or even scoop up the appetizing meat with crispy chips! Or, make taco bowls using your favorite toppings.

Recipe Steps

the process for making ground bison tacos.

Step One

Heat olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat or medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent.

Mix in the garlic and peppers. Continue to sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Add one pound ground bison and cook until browned.

Step Three

Stir in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Cook for 2-3 more minutes while stirring.

Step Four

Warm each tortilla in a skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.

Assemble the tacos by layering the meat, salsa, and avocado slices inside each tortilla. Top with cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Serve immediately.

a close up of cooked ground bison meat.

Recipe Tips

  • This recipe can easily be doubled for more servings.
  • You can adapt this recipe to your liking. For instance, you can serve the taco filling with flour tortillas or low-carb tortillas if you prefer. Add toppings like cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream, red onions, or whatever you like.
  • Not convinced you want to try bison? Swap it out with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground beef. Or, you can also use ground venison or elk.
  • Store any leftover bison taco meat in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.

Recipe FAQs

What is the benefit of using ground bison over ground beef?

Ground bison is a leaner meat, offering less calories and fat per serving than ground beef. Bison also hosts a richer, sweeter flavor, making it quite the pleasant surprise in a traditional taco.

Can I use ground bison as a direct substitute for ground beef in taco recipes?

Yes, you can use ground bison as a direct substitute for ground beef in taco recipes. Bison meat is similar in texture and flavor to beef, but it’s leaner, so you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to avoid drying it out. It’s a great alternative for traditional beef tacos.

Are there any special tips for cooking ground bison to ensure it stays juicy and flavorful?

To ensure ground bison stays juicy and flavorful, it’s important not to overcook it because it’s leaner than beef and can dry out more easily. Cook it on medium heat until it’s just done (no longer pink), and consider adding a small amount of oil to the skillet to help keep it moist.

a person holding a bison taco up off of a plate.

More Healthy Taco Recipes You Might Like

What to Serve With Bison Tacos

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Instant Pot Spanish Rice (4-Ingredients)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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three bison tacos on a white plate.

Ground Bison Tacos

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Ground bison is a lean and tasty alternative to traditional ground beef, making it a great choice for a healthy taco filling. Here’s a healthy recipe for Ground Bison Tacos that your whole family is sure to enjoy.

  • Total Time: 35 Minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or other neutral cooking oil)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped
  • 1 pound ground bison
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 8 small corn tortillas
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil.
  2. Once hot, sauté the onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Mix in garlic, jalapeños, and red bell pepper, sautéing for another 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the ground bison to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, add the ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. In a separate skillet, warm each corn tortilla over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side or directly over a gas stove flame for a charred effect. Keep warmed tortillas wrapped in a cloth set aside for serving.
  5. To assemble the tacos, place the cooked bison and vegetable mixture on a tortilla, then top with salsa, avocado slices, and desired toppings. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
  6. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

Notes

  1. This recipe can easily be doubled for more servings.
  2. You can adapt this recipe to your liking. For instance, you can serve the taco filling with flour tortillas or low-carb tortillas if you prefer. Add toppings like cheese, guacamole, or whatever you like.
  3. Store any leftover bison taco meat in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tacos
  • Calories: 441
  • Sugar: 7.4 g
  • Sodium: 555.4 mg
  • Fat: 22.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37.6 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 27.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 62.5 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.