Slow Cooking Recommended for Tenderising Buffalo Meat and Reducing Odour
Buffalo meat remains a popular choice for sacrificial animals among communities in several Indonesian regions. Besides being relatively more affordable than beef, it also offers good protein content. However, many perceive buffalo meat as tougher and harder to prepare.
Professor Irma Isnafia Arief, a Senior Lecturer at IPB University’s Faculty of Animal Husbandry, explained that buffalo meat can be prepared into tender and delicious dishes with the right techniques.
‘Buffalo meat has a tougher texture compared to beef, so it requires special treatment to become tender and palatable,’ she stated on Wednesday (27 May).
She highlighted the importance of cutting the meat across the grain. According to Prof Irma, this technique aids cooking and results in a softer texture when consumed.
She suggested using natural ingredients such as papaya leaves and pineapple to tenderise the meat. Both contain enzymes that effectively break down muscle fibres.
‘Simply wrap the meat in papaya leaves for 10 minutes or mix with sliced pineapple for 5–10 minutes. But don’t leave it too long, or the meat may become mushy,’ she explained.
Additionally, marinating with spices like ginger, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and lime juice can help reduce buffalo meat’s distinctive odour while enhancing flavour.
‘Many people still cook buffalo meat incorrectly, for instance by using high heat, which makes it dry and tough,’ she noted.
Therefore, Prof Irma recommends slow-cooking methods using low heat or a pressure cooker. Simple techniques like pounding the meat before cooking are also effective for improving texture.
According to Prof Irma, buffalo meat’s popularity lags behind beef due to widespread lack of knowledge about proper preparation. Its unique taste and uneven distribution also affect consumer interest.
‘If prepared correctly, buffalo meat can be a delicious, healthy, and economical alternative source of animal protein,’ she concluded.
The celebration of Iduladha 1447 H at Masjid Nursiah Daud Paloh is not merely a religious ritual but also an opportunity to strengthen social and humanitarian values.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa sacrificed two cows during Iduladha 1447 H using personal funds originally allocated for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Media Group Chairman Surya Paloh donated a 1-ton limousin cow for Iduladha 1447 H at Masjid Nursiah Daud Paloh as a symbol of social concern.
Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar extended Iduladha 1447 H/2026 greetings, stating that the festival encourages believers to uphold sincerity and compassion through sacrifice.
Ahead of Iduladha 1447 Hijriah, President Prabowo Subianto distributed 598 sacrificial cows to provincial and district governments across Indonesia.