Grilled Bison Meatballs are packed with delicious flavor, plenty of protein, and take less than 20 minutes to get on the dinner table. These easy bison meatballs present endless possibilities for whatever flavor profile you are looking for.
My kids love kabobs of any kind. Put something on a skewer, and they will eat it without complaint. These grilled meatballs were no exception.
Bison meatballs are great for dinner, to serve as an appetizer, or an accompaniment to a big green salad at lunch.
Want more meatball recipes? Try our Moink Balls, which are made with beef and pork. Or for an Asian-inspired recipe, these Asian Pork Meatballs are fantastic!
Ingredients
- Bison - Ground bison is leaner than ground beef. The key will be to not overcook the meat. When cooking leaner meat, it is important to ensure you don't dry it out through overcooking.
- Garlic Powder - You could use raw minced garlic, but you would need to cook it down a little first. These meatballs are quick-cooking on the grill, and the garlic would mostly have that sharp raw flavor. Garlic powder gives a nice flavor without the rawness of fresh garlic.
- Smoked Paprika - This is one of my favorite spices. A little bit goes a long way, but the flavor is awesome. Use this whenever you are wanting to add depth of flavor to a meat dish.
- Salt and Black Pepper - These are staples for any dish. A well-seasoned dish can make all the difference. A common rule of thumb is to use a teaspoon of salt for a pound of meat. I use a teaspoon of black pepper as well. The pepper adds a nice kick of spice to the dish.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Bison Meatballs
Step One: In a large bowl, combine the ground bison meat along with the seasonings and mix until well combined. The best way to do this is to just dive in with your hands to make sure it is all well incorporated.
Step Two: Form the bison meat mixture into meatballs 1.5 to 2 inches across. About the size of a golf ball.
Step Three: Once you have the meatballs formed, place them onto skewers. Preheat your grill on medium-high heat for at least five minutes.
➡ Tip: Soak your skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before cooking to keep them from igniting on a hot grill. Also, I find flat skewers work better than round skewers for turning and flipping them as they cook. Sometimes the round skewers just spin inside the meat, making it almost impossible to turn easily.
Step Four: Place the skewers of bison meatballs onto the preheated grill. Cook over medium heat for about five minutes per side. I cooked these on my grill, you can just as easily cook them in your smoker, air fryer, or even place them on a baking sheet and cook them in the oven for baked bison meatballs.
➡ Tip: If you want great grill lines, brush some olive oil on the grates before you put your food on the grill. It also helps keep the food from sticking.
Step Five: Cook the bison meatballs until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium doneness. Once cooked, remove from the grill and tent with aluminum foil until you serve them.
Storage
Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftover meatballs last for 3-4 days. Meatballs also freeze well. You can make a large batch for meal prep and freeze the meatballs in a freezer bag for an even faster dinner in the future.
Variations
- BBQ: You can brush some homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce or spicy Sriracha BBQ Sauce on them for the last two minutes of cook time. Or serve them with BBQ sauce as a dip.
- Italian: If you are looking for an Italian version, replace the smoked paprika with Italian seasoning, add a little onion powder, and serve these with marinara sauce, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese, and serve with spaghetti or your favorite pasta.
Love this bison meatball recipe? Try a Bison Ribeye Steak next!
Common Questions
Is bison healthier than beef?
Yes. Bison only has about 75% of the calories of beef because it has significantly less fat. Bison is leaner than beef. The taste is similar, so it is an easy substitute when you are looking to make a healthier choice. Ground bison is one option, but you can also purchase bison steaks and roasts from specialty meat sellers.
Recipe
Bison Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb bison
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ***
- BBQ sauce optional
Instructions
- Combine the ground bison and seasoning in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and form into meatballs about the size of golf balls. One pound of meat will make about 8-10 meatballs.
- Put the meatballs onto skewers and place them onto the preheated grill.
- Cook for 5 minutes per side over medium heat. For medium doneness, cook the meatballs until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees F.
- Once done, remove from the grill. Brush with BBQ sauce, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally Published April 18, 2022. Revised and Republished May 7, 2026.
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