How to Cook Buffalo Meat

Buffalo was the main meat for the Plains Indians until the time when almost seventy million of them were slaughtered almost to the point of extinction in the late nineteenth century. They also provided the Plains Indians with the raw materials for clothing, tools, and shelter. Buffalo, which are also known as American bison, are now raised on private ranches and there are about a quarter of a million buffalo in the United States.

The flavor of buffalo is similar to that of beef, but it is sweeter and lighter. Buffalo has similar muscle groups to beef, so it is available in the same cuts including T-bone, rib-eye, porterhouse, rib steaks, sirloin and so on.

Buffalo is also healthier than beef because it has fifty percent less cholesterol and about eighty percent less fat. Buffalo is also high in iron, protein, and important amino and omega acids. Buffalo do not need all the growth hormones and antibiotics prescribed for beef cattle because they are fast growing and resistant to disease, making buffalo meat a healthy option as well as a tasty one. If you enjoy red meat but seldom eat it for health reasons, you can indulge in buffalo without the guilt.

Where to Buy Buffalo Meat

Buffalo meat is sometimes hard to find. There is more beef slaughtered each day in the United States than buffalo slaughtered in a whole year! You can buy fresh or frozen buffalo meat and it is vacuum packed to maximize its shelf life. Vacuum packed frozen buffalo will keep for a year. Try looking for buffalo meat online if your local grocery stores do not stock it.

Tips for Cooking Buffalo Meat

Buffalo is cooked in the same way as beef, although its lower fat content means that it cooks faster. Fat works as an insulator and slows down cooking time, which is why leaner meat cooks more quickly. You can roast buffalo or grill or pan fry it. It is important to keep an eye on it though, so you do not overcook it, especially if you are using to cooking beef steaks and the timing associated with those recipes.

If you are broiling buffalo steaks, use a rack one notch lower down than what you would use for beef steaks, and check the meat sooner. For roasting it, turn the heat down fifty degrees less that if you were roasting beef, and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The buffalo steak temperature needs to read the same as for beef but it will cook faster.

Marinated Steak Recipes for Buffalo

Unlike with some cuts of beef, it is best to use a very simple steak marinade when preparing buffalo meat because this meat has a naturally sweet flavor and a complex marinade might overpower it. Combine a bottle of rich red wine with a tablespoon of dried thyme, a couple of bay leaves and a couple of juniper berries to make a great buffalo steak marinade recipe.

Let a five pound buffalo steak sit in this marinade for a day or two, and then grill, saute or broil it to rare or medium rare. Cook it to medium if you have to. Cooking it beyond medium will make it tough. This wonderful marinade can also be used on beef steaks. If you like red wine steak marinades, try adding some olive oil and fresh rosemary to it to make a different-tasting steak marinade recipe.

There are marinated steak recipes for every cut of steak, whether you are using beef steaks or buffalo steaks. Sometimes a very simple steak marinade is all you need to infuse your meat with the most delicious flavor. Easy Steak Marinades Help Make a Truly Mouthwatering Meal - EasySteakMarinades.net.

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