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There’s something undeniably primal about biting into a thick, juicy burger—but what if that burger also fueled your libido? That’s exactly what you get with this buffalo burger recipe. Rich, meaty and slightly sweeter than beef, buffalo (or bison) meat delivers bold flavor without the heaviness of traditional burgers. But what really sets this recipe apart is the unexpected addition of coffee. The deep, roasted notes enhance the natural sweetness of the meat, creating a next-level umami experience.

And the best part? This isn’t just another gourmet burger makeover. Bison is a powerhouse of lean protein, iron and vitamin B12, nutrients essential for sustained energy, healthy circulation and overall vitality.

Table of Contents

Why this burger recipe is a game-changer

This bison burger recipe is one of the most popular recipes from my cookbook, Romancing the Stove: the unabridged guide to aphrodisiac foods.

But this isn’t just another gourmet burger makeover. It’s a bold, flavor-packed upgrade to a barbecue classic. And it’s one that’s just as perfect for date night as it is for feeding a hungry crowd.

The secret? Swapping out beef for ground buffalo, or American bison. Not only does bison have a nutritional edge over beef, but it also delivers a lean but more powerful flavor with none of the heaviness. When properly cooked, it’s juicy, robust yet surprisingly refined. It’s exactly what you want in a burger that’s meant to impress.

What is bison (and why should you care)?

When I say buffalo, I mean American bison, not Cape buffalo or water buffalo (common in Asia). If you’re buying imported meat labeled as buffalo, double-check to ensure it’s bison.

American buffalo meat isn’t just leaner—it’s richer, more robust and deeply flavorful, offering a gourmet edge over beef. It’s also considered a more sustainable choice since bison are typically grass-fed and raised in lower concentrations than cattle. (Curious about the environmental impact? Modern Farmer dives deeper into the benefits of bison.)

Despite its superior flavor, bison looks similar to ground beef. Season it, shape it, grill it—your guests won’t question what’s in the burger. They’ll just know it’s one of the best they’ve ever had.

Buffalo burger recipe secret aphrodisiac ingredient

This Coffee-Kissed Buffalo Burger gets its name from an unexpected twist—coffee grounds mixed right into the meat.

It’s bold. It’s rich. And it’s completely game-changing. The coffee deepens the umami flavors without overpowering, adding an edge most people can’t quite place. (Even if you stick with beef, you need to try this trick.)

But coffee isn’t just here for flavor. It’s considered an aphrodisiac because it’s a natural stimulant and mood enhancer, increasing alertness and boosting circulation—both of which can come in handy for date night.

I first experimented with coffee in bison burgers while consulting for a burger company that wanted an aphrodisiac recipe. They got one—but never used it. When the owner found out my secret ingredient, he refused to even taste it.

Fool.

The health benefits of eating bison

Buffalo—aka American bison—makes a smart alternative to beef, especially for date night. It’s leaner, lower in cholesterol, and higher in protein, helping to sustain energy without weighing you down. And since it won’t clog arteries the way fattier meats can, it supports healthy circulation—something your libido will appreciate.

Grass-fed bison is also a source of B vitamins, selenium, iron and zinc, key nutrients for sexual vitality.

Where to buy ground bison meat

Because it’s grown trendy in recent years, ground bison (or buffalo), is now widely available and is even sold in many mainstream grocery stores. You can also order it from Amazon.

How to cook buffalo burgers

Bison cooks differently than beef. Its lower fat content means it can dry out fast. When cooking buffalo burgers, keep these tips in mind:

- Cook slow – Lower heat prevents toughness.
- Think pink – Medium rare to medium doneness keeps it juicy.
- Watch your flame – High heat can dry it out.
- Form patties gently—just enough to hold their shape without compressing too much.

Grill over medium heat or cook in a cast-iron skillet, aiming for medium doneness for the best texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe calls for open-faced burgers to keep the recipe healthy and low in carbs, but feel free to use a full bun. Not into oyster sauce and tomatoes? Swap in your favorite toppings—grilled onions work beautifully, but mustard and ketchup can overpower the bison and coffee’s rich, deep flavors.

Want to switch it up? Turn them into meatballs. Check the recipe notes for details.

Side dish suggestions:

Cucumber Salad with Chia Seeds and Greek Yogurt Dressing

Marinated Olive Salad with Celery

Meyer Lemon Quinoa with Turmeric, Basil and Black Pepper

Wine pairing:

I like serving these burgers with a Malbec wine

TRY NEXT: Marinated, Grilled American Bison

bison burger (buffalo burger) with a whole wheat bun on a white plate with a red heart

Coffee-Kissed Buffalo Burgers

Print Recipe

This recipe from Amy Reiley's aphrodisiac cookbook Romancing the Stove, gives a classic burger a makeover using American Bison and spiking the meat with the rich, earthy flavor of coffee.

Course dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Dish Type burger, sandwich

Cooking Style Easy, grill

Diet and Health healthy-ish, low fat

Seasonal summer

Ingredient bison, buffalo

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 12

Total Time 17

Servings servings

Calories 248

Author Amy Reiley

Ingredients

1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp fine coffee grounds
1 lb ground buffalo or 4 buffalo patties,
1/2 sweet onion cut into rounds
2 tbsp oyster sauce
4 slices ripe tomato optional,
2 whole grain sandwich rolls*

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Mix salt, pepper and coffee grounds into the ground buffalo and form 4 burger patties with 1/4 inch thickness.
Brush grill with cooking oil and heat to medium.
Cook burgers for 3-5 minutes per side depending on desired doneness, flipping once. (Because of its low fat content, buffalo will become tough if overcooked.)
After burgers are flipped, add onion rounds to the grill. Grill onions 2-3 minutes per side.
Top each half of the buns with 1-2 tsp oyster sauce. Add a tomato slice (optional) and 1/4 of the grilled onions. Top with a burger and serve open-faced.
If you are only serving 2 burgers, save the second bun and toppings separately, in the refrigerator, for up to 48 hours.
*The recommendation to serve the sandwich open-faced is to help keep the meal light for a romantic evening. If you're going to be serving burgers to a crowd, (particularly outdoors), feel free to use full buns for practical purposes!

Notes

* The sandwich is designed as open-faced is to help keep the meal light for a romantic evening. To serve a crowd, feel free to use full buns if it is your preference.

The ground buffalo mixture can also be used to make meatballs. Just brown lightly in a sauté pan and serve with pasta or as an appetizer with oyster sauce for dipping.

A note on the provided nutrition information

The nutrition information provided has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition

Like the recipe? Get my cookbook.

For more of my recipes for seduction, check out Romancing the Stove: the unabridged guide to aphrodisiac foods.

This article was originally published in 2012 and most recently updated with new notes and added nutrition information in March 2025.

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.

The Best Buffalo Burger Recipe