Meat
Buffalo
Water buffalo meat is a lean red meat from Bubalus bubalis, common in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Mediterranean and South America. It is darker and often leaner than beef, with a mild flavour suited to curries, stews, steaks, and dried products depending on cut and age. Distinct from American bison (often called buffalo colloquially), water buffalo is a separate species with its own husbandry and culinary traditions.
Track this ingredient
Cuts & parts
Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
Preparations
Provenance
Sources
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 11.4 g
- Saturated Fat 5.13 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 5.18 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.98 g
- Cholesterol 68.1 mg
- Sodium 60.4 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 23.1 g
- Water 63.4 g
- Energy 203 kcal
- Water 63.4 g
- Protein 23.1 g
- Animal Protein 22 g
- Fat 11.4 g
- Saturated Fat 5.13 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 5.18 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.98 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Vitamins 46.5 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.07 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.17 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 6.49 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.46 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.9 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 9.1 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 2.4 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0.2 µg
- Vitamin E 0.34 mg
- Vitamin K 1.7 µg
- Minerals 349 mg
- Major Minerals 338 mg
- Trace Minerals 10.8 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.15 g
- Cholesterol 68.1 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 2.4 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.07 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.17 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 6.49 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.7 · vitamin-b6: 0.46 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.9 · vitamin-b9-folate: 9.1 · vitamin-d: 0.2 · vitamin-e: 0.34 · vitamin-k: 1.7 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 60.38 · Potassium: 239 · Calcium: 39 · Iron: 2.9 · Zinc: 2.9 · Iodine: 5 ·
Muscle meat is protein-dense with variable marbling fat.
History
Water buffalo were domesticated in South Asia for draft power, milk, and meat.
Buffalo husbandry spread through Southeast Asia and into the Middle East and Mediterranean for rice agriculture and dairy.
Italian buffalo dairying flourished for mozzarella di bufala; meat from males and cull animals entered regional cookery.
Export interest in lean buffalo meat grew alongside dairy buffalo industries worldwide.