Top 13 Delicious Buffalo Meat Dishes and Easy Recipes to Try at Home

Next on the list of buffalo meat dishes, we have the delicious buffalo stew with lemongrass. This dish has a rustic, simple vibe, but don't let that fool you – it's incredibly flavorful and appetizing.

Ingredients:

• 300g buffalo meat, preferably from the shoulder
• 500g buffalo ribs with plenty of meat
• 5 stalks of lemongrass
• Shallots, garlic, ginger, chili
• 1 green papaya
• Seasonings: fish sauce, seasoning powder, and salt

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the buffalo meat and ribs, then cut the meat into 4cm cubes and chop the ribs into manageable pieces. Place everything into a pot.
• Step 2: Crush the lemongrass and cut it into 5cm pieces. Clean the shallots, garlic, and ginger, crush and finely chop them, then add to the pot and mix everything well.
• Step 3: Clean the green papaya, leaving the skin on, then cut it into four pieces and remove the seeds.
• Step 4: Heat some oil in a pan, sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant, then add the buffalo meat and stir-fry. Once the meat is seared, pour in enough water to cover the meat, add the papaya, and simmer for about 45 minutes. Once done, taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

This dish can be enjoyed like a hotpot by placing the pot on a stove or a mini gas burner, served with various vegetables, instant noodles, or rice noodles. The combination of buffalo meat and the fragrant lemongrass will make this meal irresistible.

People from Central Vietnam are particularly fond of grilled buffalo, and the dish grilled buffalo with lolot leaves is especially fragrant and delicious. The preparation is simple: after slicing the meat thinly, the buffalo is wrapped in lolot leaves and grilled over hot coals, making it a fantastic dish when served piping hot.

Ingredients:

• 1kg buffalo meat
• 1 bunch of lolot leaves
• 3-4 stalks of lemongrass
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 piece of ginger
• 4-5 shallots
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce, cooking oil, white sugar, fish sauce, chili paste, pepper

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients:
  • Wash the buffalo meat and freeze it for 2 hours to make it easier to slice. Then cut it across the grain into thin, wide slices.
  • Peel the lemongrass and chop finely.
  • Peel the garlic and shallots. Scrape the ginger skin off.
  • Wash the lolot leaves gently to avoid tearing, then dry them. Chop half of the leaves and keep the other half for wrapping or garnishing.
  • Crush the shallots, garlic, ginger, and fresh chili in a mortar.
• Step 2: Marinate the buffalo meat:
  • Marinate the buffalo meat with the crushed shallots, garlic, chili, ginger, finely chopped lemongrass, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, 5 tbsp cooking oil, 4 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp chili paste (optional), 2 tbsp pepper, and the chopped lolot leaves.
  • Mix everything thoroughly, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (marinating overnight is fine as well).
• Step 3: Grill the buffalo meat:
  • Once marinated, remove the meat and prepare to grill. You can grill it by threading the buffalo meat onto bamboo skewers and grilling over hot charcoal or placing it on a grilling rack. Alternatively, you can use an oven or an air fryer, though grilling over coals will provide the best flavor.
  • When grilling, avoid using a flame that's too high as the meat can burn easily. Turn the meat regularly to ensure even cooking. If the meat begins to dry out, brush it with some of the marinade or a little oil during grilling. Grill for 10-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the meat.
• Step 4: Prepare dipping sauce:
  • While grilling, prepare the dipping sauce. Grilled buffalo goes well with chili sauce, but if you prefer, you can make a traditional dipping sauce with soy sauce, crushed ginger, chopped fresh chili, lime juice, a bit of sugar, and monosodium glutamate. Mix until the sugar dissolves, and it's ready to serve.

In addition to being stir-fried with lolot leaves, stir-fried buffalo with water spinach is another popular dish enjoyed by many. In some regions, this dish is even served as part of a wedding feast.

Ingredients:

• 400g buffalo meat
• 2 bunches of water spinach
• 1 clove of garlic
• Oyster sauce, black pepper
• Other common seasonings

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients - Clean the water spinach and let it drain. You can remove the leaves or leave them on depending on preference. Peel and finely chop the garlic.
• Step 2: Marinate the buffalo meat - Slice the buffalo meat thinly and marinate with 1 tbsp of oyster sauce, a pinch of seasoning powder, monosodium glutamate, black pepper, and half of the chopped garlic. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the meat to absorb the flavors. If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can substitute with cooking oil.
• Step 3: Blanch the water spinach - Boil a pot of water with a pinch of salt, then briefly blanch the water spinach for about 10 seconds. Remove it immediately and you can place it in a bowl of cold water to preserve the crispness and vibrant color.
• Step 4: Stir-fry the buffalo - Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan, add the remaining garlic and sauté until fragrant. At this point, the buffalo meat will release some juice. Once the meat is almost cooked, add the blanched water spinach and stir-fry together. Since the spinach is already blanched, it will cook quickly.
• Season with additional spices to taste, then turn off the heat and serve the stir-fried buffalo with water spinach immediately.

Among the many ingredients used to stir-fry buffalo meat, sour starfruit is an intriguing choice that adds a delightful twist. The following recipe for stir-fried buffalo with starfruit offers a perfect balance of the sourness of the fruit and the rich, tender flavor of the buffalo meat, creating a unique dish for your family.

Ingredients:

• 500g buffalo meat
• 3-5 starfruits
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 piece of ginger
• Oyster sauce, black pepper
• Other common seasonings

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Clean the buffalo meat and slice it thinly, cutting across the grain into broad pieces.
  • Wash the starfruits, remove the edges, and slice them into thin rounds.
  • Peel and finely chop the garlic and ginger.
  • Wash the green onions, discard the roots and wilted leaves, then chop or cut into small pieces.
• Step 2: Marinate the buffalo meat - Marinate the buffalo slices with the chopped ginger, half of the chopped garlic, 1 tbsp of oyster sauce, a pinch of seasoning powder, monosodium glutamate, black pepper. Mix well and let it sit for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Step 3: Stir-fry the buffalo with starfruit
  • Heat 2 tbsp of cooking oil in a pan and sauté the remaining garlic until fragrant.
  • Add the marinated buffalo meat to the pan and stir-fry on high heat for about 2 minutes, then add the sliced starfruit and continue stir-frying.
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste. When the starfruit changes color and is just tender, sprinkle in the chopped green onions and turn off the heat. Serve immediately.

The dish will have a well-balanced sourness from the starfruit and the buffalo meat will remain tender, not overcooked. The starfruit should retain its shape and not become mushy, which means you've successfully prepared the dish.

Steamed buffalo with lemongrass and chili is a simple, easy-to-make dish that is both subtly sweet and refreshing. This is a popular snack, especially among men, because it’s not only delicious but also pairs perfectly with drinks.

Ingredients:

• 500g fresh buffalo meat
• 10-15 stalks of lemongrass
• 4-5 fresh chilies
• Shallots, garlic
• Herbs, cucumber
• Fresh ginger
• Soy sauce, black pepper
• Steamer
• Other common seasonings

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Peel and slice the shallots thinly. Peel and crush the garlic, then finely chop it.
  • Pick the young leaves from the herbs, wash thoroughly, and let them drain.
  • Wash the cucumber, peel it, and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
  • Peel the outer layers of the lemongrass, then crush the stalks and chop 2-3 stalks into small pieces, leaving the rest intact for wrapping the buffalo meat.
  • Rub the buffalo meat with salt and ginger, wash it, and slice it into wide, thin pieces.
• Step 2: Marinate the buffalo meat - Marinate the buffalo slices with soy sauce, black pepper, MSG, chopped shallots, garlic, lemongrass, and chili. Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the flavors. Wrap the meat in lemongrass stalks and place it in a steaming tray.
• Step 3: Steam the buffalo - Add a little water to the steamer, place the steaming tray with the buffalo wrapped in lemongrass on top. Cover the steamer and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes after the water starts boiling.
• Step 4: While the buffalo is steaming, prepare the dipping sauce. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan, then sauté the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, and chopped chili until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp of sugar and 3 tbsp of fish sauce, and cook until the sauce turns a deep amber color and thickens.
• Step 5: Once the buffalo is done steaming, place it on a serving dish and drizzle the prepared dipping sauce on top (or serve the sauce on the side for dipping).

Steamed buffalo with lemongrass and chili is perfect when the buffalo is tender, not tough or dry. The meat should be juicy, with the seasoning blending perfectly with the aromatic lemongrass. This dish is best enjoyed while still hot, paired with fresh herbs and a shot of strong liquor or a cold beer for the ultimate experience.

While many are familiar with sweet and sour pork or ribs, have you ever tried sweet and sour buffalo stew? It's a delightful and unique dish that offers a fresh twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients:

• 500g buffalo meat (preferably from the leg)
• 1 fresh coconut
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 2 stalks lemongrass
• 1 tablespoon minced chili pepper
• Garlic cloves
• Rau ram leaves (Vietnamese coriander), roasted peanuts
• Fish sauce, salt, pepper, sugar
• Fermented rice vinegar

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Rub the buffalo meat with salt and minced ginger, then rinse it clean. Cut the meat into 4 cm cubes.
  • Season the meat with ½ teaspoon of salt, 1/3 teaspoon of pepper, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and a dash of high-quality fish sauce. Let it marinate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb.
  • Chop the rau ram leaves finely.
  • Crush the lemongrass stalks and cut them into pieces.
  • Crush the peanuts into small pieces.
• Step 2: Cooking the stew - Heat a pot with fresh coconut water, then add the buffalo meat and lemongrass. Simmer until the meat becomes tender (if using a pressure cooker, it will take about 20 minutes). Next, add 2 pieces of minced ginger, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of fermented rice vinegar. Bring it to a boil, and then add 1 tablespoon of minced chili. Turn off the heat once it’s done.
• Step 3: Serve and garnish - Transfer the stew to a serving plate, sprinkle the finely chopped rau ram leaves and crushed peanuts on top. Serve while hot.

Buffalo meat, often considered a dish from the mountainous regions, is beloved by locals and prepared in many ways, especially grilled dishes. This recipe for a whole buffalo steak on the grill is perfect for outdoor parties and offers a new culinary experience. Grilling is one of the easiest cooking methods, and this dish proves just that!

Ingredients:

• Buffalo meat from the hind leg, around 1 kg for 5-7 servings.
• Soy sauce, fish sauce
• Fresh chili peppers, garlic, onion, lemongrass
• Makhen pepper, black pepper, cardamom

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Rinse the buffalo meat and dry it thoroughly, either by air-drying or using paper towels. Drying the meat ensures the marinade soaks in better, enhancing the flavor.
  • Once dry, cut the buffalo meat into two large sections, keeping them attached. This makes marinating easier and helps the meat cook faster.
  • Peel and slice the garlic, onion, and lemongrass. Wash and finely chop the fresh chili peppers. Toast the Makhen pepper until fragrant, then crush it with cardamom. Mix these ingredients with soy sauce and fish sauce.
• Step 2: Marinate the meat - Coat the buffalo meat with the prepared spice mixture, making sure to rub it evenly on all sides. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
• Step 3: Grill the buffalo meat
  • To grill the buffalo steak perfectly, use a charcoal grill. The smoky flavor from the charcoal adds a distinctive touch to the meat. After the coals are well-lit, place a grill rack on top and set the buffalo meat on it. Make sure the heat is moderate to avoid burning the meat. Turn the meat regularly and brush it with extra marinade each time to keep it juicy and flavorful. Grill for about 3-4 turns until the meat is cooked through.
  • If you don’t have a charcoal grill, you can use an oven or a non-stick frying pan. For the oven, turn the meat every 10 minutes and brush it with the marinade to prevent burning. In a frying pan, don’t add oil and cook on medium heat until the meat is done.
• Step 4: Prepare the dipping sauce - While the meat grills, prepare the dipping sauce. A good dipping sauce is just as important as the grilled meat itself. Here are two simple options:
  • Option 1: Salt, fresh chili peppers, lime, and crushed Makhen pepper.
  • Option 2: Thick fish sauce, fresh chili, sugar, MSG, minced garlic, and lime juice.

Once the buffalo meat is grilled, cut it into bite-sized pieces and serve with fresh vegetables, rice, or enjoy it on its own. Grilled dishes are versatile and easy to eat with anything. For a surprise twist, try pairing it with kimchi for a unique experience!

Buffalo Meat Stew with Vegetables is a delicious and nutritious dish suitable for all ages. The tender pieces of buffalo meat are simmered with vegetables like carrots, green papaya, potatoes, and lotus stems, making for a hearty and flavorful stew.

Ingredients:

• Buffalo meat
• Carrots, green papaya, potatoes, lotus stems, beetroot
• Garlic, onion, chili, ginger
• Seasonings: fish sauce, seasoning powder, salt, pepper, five-spice powder, MSG
• Coriander leaves, spring onions

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Wash the buffalo meat thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized square pieces. For the best results, choose tender cuts like the hind leg, loin, or ribs, as they won’t become tough when stewed.
  • Crush and mince the garlic, onion, chili, and ginger. Marinate the buffalo meat with this mixture and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
  • Peel and wash the vegetables, such as carrots, green papaya, potatoes, lotus stems, and beetroot. Cut them into chunks for stewing.
• Step 2: Cooking
  • Heat the pot, add oil, and sauté the garlic and onion until golden. Then, add the marinated buffalo meat and cook until the meat is browned.
  • Next, pour enough water to cover the meat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the green papaya and simmer for about 30 minutes. When the papaya is nearly soft, add the remaining vegetables and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until everything is tender. Turn off the heat.
• Step 3: Presentation - Serve the stew in bowls, garnishing with fresh coriander and spring onions for added fragrance and visual appeal.

This buffalo meat stew can easily be customized with any seasonal vegetables or your personal favorites, making it a versatile and simple dish to prepare.

Buffalo meat can be prepared in many different ways, each offering a unique flavor while preserving the distinctive taste and nutritional value of the meat. One of the must-try dishes when cooking buffalo is Buffalo Meat in Wine Sauce.

Ingredients:

• Buffalo meat
• Potatoes, carrots, onions, tomatoes
• Garlic, shallots, cilantro
• Flour or cornstarch, wine sauce seasoning powder, five-spice powder
• Pepper, fish sauce, salt, sugar, MSG
• Red wine

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • To make a delicious buffalo meat stew, it's best to choose cuts of buffalo with some tendons as they become more tender when cooked in the sauce. If the buffalo meat has a strong odor, you can neutralize it by marinating it with ginger and salt. Rinse the meat thoroughly to remove any lingering wine smell and saltiness.
  • Cut the buffalo meat into square pieces and marinate with minced garlic, fish sauce, pepper, seasoning powder, and five-spice powder for 20-30 minutes. To help tenderize the meat, add a splash of red wine to the marinade.
  • Peel and chop the potatoes, carrots, and onions into bite-sized pieces, and slice the tomatoes.
• Step 2: Cooking
  • Start by sautéing the shallots until fragrant, then add the marinated buffalo meat and stir-fry quickly. Add the tomatoes and cook until the meat is browned.
  • Add water to cover the meat and bring it to a simmer. Once it starts to simmer, add the carrots and potatoes, and cook until they are tender. If the water level drops too quickly, add some warm water to continue cooking.
  • Once the carrots and potatoes are soft, add the onions. Onions cook quickly, so it's important to add them at the end to prevent them from becoming mushy and overly pungent.
  • Finally, once everything is cooked through, dissolve cornstarch in water and stir it into the stew to thicken the broth.
• Step 3: When serving the dish, garnish with fresh cilantro for added flavor and a nice presentation.

This buffalo meat in wine sauce is very similar to beef stew, so if you're familiar with making beef stew, preparing buffalo meat in wine sauce will be a breeze!

Braised Buffalo Meat is a lesser-known dish, often made by mothers and sisters to serve to soldiers in the past. The cooking process is not difficult, but to achieve the perfect outcome—beautifully colored buffalo meat that is tender and well-marinated—requires a bit of attention to detail.

Ingredients:

• Buffalo meat: lean cuts, ribs, and navel portion
• Chili peppers, garlic
• MSG, seasoning powder, fish sauce, sugar
• Accompanying herbs: green bananas, starfruit, perilla, mint
• Coconut water

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • For the best result when making braised buffalo, use a combination of three types of buffalo meat: lean meat (50%), ribs (40%), and navel portion (10%). The mix ensures a rich and flavorful dish. If you only use lean meat, the dish may lack the necessary fat.
  • Wash the buffalo meat, then cut it into small bite-sized cubes. Marinate with MSG, sugar, chili peppers, and minced garlic for about 2 hours.
  • While the meat is marinating, prepare the side herbs. Cut the green bananas into small pieces and soak them in saltwater to reduce the bitterness. Slice the starfruit into decorative shapes.
• Step 2: Cooking
  • To cook the dish, bring the coconut water to a boil before adding the marinated buffalo meat. Keep the heat on low to prevent the coconut water from evaporating too quickly. Cook the buffalo meat until tender, then adjust the seasoning with fish sauce and seasoning powder, letting it simmer for another 20-30 minutes before turning off the heat.
• Step 3: Once the buffalo meat is tender and the sauce is well-seasoned, plate it and serve with green bananas, starfruit, perilla, mint, and other fresh herbs of your choice.

For a family-sized meal, around 2kg of buffalo meat is sufficient. If you're cooking the dish on a gas stove, simmer the meat for about 30 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it cool. Reheat and simmer again to ensure the buffalo meat becomes tender and flavorful.

Stir-Fried Buffalo with Betel Leaves is a delicious and nutritious dish that's easy to make at home. Made with simple ingredients, it provides great nourishment for the whole family. Check out the recipe for this tasty stir-fry below!

Ingredients:

• Buffalo meat (rump or shoulder): 300g
• 1 onion (optional, depending on preference)
• Betel leaves: 2 bunches
• Minced garlic
• Cooking oil, black pepper, fish sauce, seasoning powder, MSG

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients - Trim the tough stems of the betel leaves and cut them into 1cm sections. Wash the buffalo meat, then slice it thinly using a sharp knife.
• Step 2: Marinate the meat - In a bowl, combine minced garlic, 1/3 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything well and let the meat marinate for 15 minutes.
• Step 3: Cook
  • Heat oil in a pan, then sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the marinated buffalo meat and stir-fry until it’s browned and tender. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add the onion and cook until it softens slightly. Then add the cooked buffalo meat and the betel leaves. Stir everything together, adjusting the seasoning to taste. Continue stirring until everything is well combined and fully cooked.
  • Once cooked, plate the dish and enjoy with your family!

For the best flavor, enjoy this stir-fry while it’s still hot. This dish is a great introduction to cooking buffalo meat—it’s simple to make and incredibly delicious!

Buffalo Meat with Tamarind Dip is a highly nutritious dish with minimal fat and a bold flavor, making it perfect for creating a variety of delicious meals. If you’re familiar with grilled or stir-fried buffalo, let’s take things up a notch with a fresh twist—Buffalo Meat with Tamarind Dip. This recipe is perfect for adding variety to your family’s meals!

Ingredients:

• Buffalo meat: 1kg
• Tamarind paste: ½ cup
• Pork bones: 500g
• Lemongrass: 5 stalks
• Ginger, dried chili, onions, garlic
• Soy sauce, seasoning powder, salt
• Fresh herbs for garnish: Malabar spinach, Elephant ear leaves, etc.

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Wash the herbs thoroughly and soak them in a diluted saltwater solution for about 15 minutes, then drain.
  • Rinse the pork bones, blanch them briefly in boiling water, then rinse them again with cold water. Place the bones in a pot with fresh water and simmer on low heat. Keep removing the scum regularly to get a clearer broth.
  • Clean the buffalo meat and slice it thinly. It’s easier to slice when the meat is slightly frozen, so you can store it in the freezer for a while before slicing.
• Step 2: Marinate the meat - After slicing, place the buffalo meat in a bowl along with smashed ginger, sliced lemongrass, minced garlic, and soy sauce. Mix well and let the meat marinate for 30 minutes. Once marinated, plate the meat and garnish with any herbs or ingredients you prefer.
• Step 3: Prepare the tamarind broth
  • Take the tamarind paste and mash it in a bowl. Add a little water, then strain it through a sieve to extract the liquid.
  • Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the simmered broth and bring to a boil. Then, add the tamarind extract, taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference. The tamarind broth should be flavorful, with a balance of sour and salty notes.

For dipping the buffalo meat, you can use a variety of dipping sauces based on personal preference, such as salt with pepper and lime, soy sauce, or shrimp paste. Place the tamarind broth pot on the dining table, and dip the buffalo slices into the hot broth as you eat. On a cold day, there’s nothing better than sharing this hot, flavorful buffalo dish with the family, along with simple, fresh herbs!

Buffalo Meat Stewed with Lome Leaves is a signature dish that captures the essence of rich, comforting flavors, offering a deep connection to the cultural heritage of the Muong people. This dish stands out due to the unique ingredients used, particularly the Lome leaves, which have a distinct sour taste that beautifully complements the slightly gamey flavor of buffalo meat.

Ingredients:

• Fresh buffalo meat: 500g
• Lome leaves: 1 bunch
• Garlic: 1 bulb
• Fresh ginger: 1 root
• Fresh chili: 2-3 pieces
• Rice: 1 small handful

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Peel the garlic, crush it, and chop it finely.
  • Clean the ginger, keep the skin on, roast it briefly, then pound it and extract the juice.
  • Rinse the rice and set it aside.
  • Clean the buffalo meat with water, rub it with the ginger juice to remove any strong odor. Rinse again and lightly roast the meat over fire to enhance its fragrance before slicing it into thin pieces.
• Step 2: Marinate the buffalo meat - In a bowl, combine the sliced buffalo meat with garlic, a little seasoning powder, and half a tablespoon of fish sauce. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the meat to absorb the flavors.
• Step 3: Cook the dish
  • Heat some oil in a pan, sauté the garlic and fresh chili until fragrant. Add the buffalo meat and stir-fry on high heat until it is browned. Then, transfer the meat into a clay pot, pour in enough cooled boiled water to just cover the meat, cover the pot, and simmer on medium heat until the meat is tender.
  • After 15-20 minutes of stewing, add the handful of rice to thicken the dish and bring out its sweetness and fragrance.

The ideal Buffalo Meat Stewed with Lome Leaves should have an irresistible aroma, with tender buffalo meat that melts in your mouth, balanced by the fresh sourness of the Lome leaves. The dish offers a complex flavor that is rich yet refreshing, with the Lome leaves acting as a natural remedy to neutralize the characteristic strong smell of buffalo meat, creating a truly unique and delicious meal.