Tenderizing meat at home is a great way to save money on food. Instead of paying for a meal at a restaurant, why not learn how to tenderize meat and prepare it at home?
You can do it with only a few household materials, and the results are tender, juicy meat that is sure to delight any palate.
So what does tenderizing meat do? Discover the process and the science behind tenderizing meat here. Also, learn how tenderizing affects different meats & cuts.
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What Does Tenderizing Meat Do?
Tenderizing has three significant impacts on meat:
- Tenderizing breaks down the fibers, making them shorter and easier to chew and digest.
- It makes meat cook faster.
- It also makes its texture softer and more pleasant.
However, these effects aren’t necessarily desirable for every cut, but those tough cuts.
What Is the Science Behind Meat Tenderization?
To understand the science behind meat tenderization, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how meat is structured.
Meat is composed of muscle cells bundled together by connective tissue. Collagen is the most common connective tissue in meat. It is responsible for the meat structure.
As an animal ages, more collagen is produced in the muscle tissue, making the meat tougher. The more an animal moves, the harder its muscles are. This is due to more collagen being created to support its movement.
When such meat cuts are heated, the proteins in its muscle fibers contract. Heat causes the loosely arranged proteins to come closer together and form a “net” that squeezes moisture out of the meat.
Eventually, they get close enough to interact and form new bonds. The bonds grow stronger as heat is applied, creating new tougher structures.
That’s where tenderization comes in. Its goal is to change the muscle protein structure of myosin and collagen. It breaks down the muscle fibers and connective tissues in the meat.
This results in softer and chewy meat, allowing us to enjoy tougher cuts like sirloin or cube steak just as much as we would an expensive cut.
5 Types of Meat Cuts to Tenderize
The degree of tenderness is primarily determined by the amount and location of connective tissue (collagen) in the meat. The less connective tissue there is, the more tender the meat is.
Generally, the most tender cuts come from muscles that do little work. The more often a muscle is used, the tougher it is (and less expensive).
Brisket
Brisket is a cut that needs a lot of tenderizing since it’s so lean and tough (especially the Brisket Flat). It comes as the pectoral muscle of the cow, supporting most of the animal’s body weight on its front legs. It’s a tough muscle with lots of connective tissue, but it also has excellent flavor.
Brisket is often prepared as a pot roast for several hours, braised with vegetables and seasonings over low heat. This breaks down the collagen in the meat and results in a tender, juicy dish.
Brisket is also popular as corned beef or pastrami, cured and smoked for extra flavor. It can even be prepared as barbecue brisket after seasoning it with dry rubs or marinades (just don’t overcook it or it’ll be tough.
Chuck Roast
Chuck roast comes from one of the toughest parts of the cow. So, it’s cheaper than other cuts. Marinating or braising this cut is the way to go.
Brisket and chuck roast are similar in many ways, so they can be cooked using the same techniques. However, chuck roast is better suited for longer cooking times. This is because it’s less likely to dry out or turn tough during extended cooking sessions. Just tenderize this meat cut and cook it much faster to avoid the hassle.
Pork Shoulder
Pork shoulder is a leaner cut than brisket or chuck roast, but it’s still pretty tough. Like brisket and chuck roast, pork shoulder requires long cooking times at low temperatures. It’s often used in barbecue pulled pork because this method of cooking results in pork that pulls apart easily into shreds.
Pork shoulder roasts can also be split into smaller pieces before cooking to shorten their cooking time slightly. However, they’ll still require several hours of heat to produce tender meat.
Hanging Tender
This cut of meat comes from the area between the hip and rib of the cow. It is a very lean piece of meat that can become quite tough when cooked improperly. You can prepare it like steak, but you will need to marinate it first to tenderize it.
Round Steak
The round steak comes from the back leg area near the hip bone. This is a lean piece of beef that contains muscle fiber, making it somewhat tough.
Round steak (both top round and bottom round) may take longer than other cuts to cook because you have to ensure that you cook the outer layer long enough. That is why you will need to marinate it at home for fast cooking for any meals.
Methods of Tenderizing Meat at Home
Home cooks chefs use a variety of methods to tenderize meat. This is especially important for tougher cuts of meat, like beef chuck roast and pork shoulder.
Meat Mallet
The first option for tenderizing meat is the simplest: the basic kitchen hammer. The key to using a hammer is to use it in moderation so that the cuts don’t become too big or spread out.
Also, be sure not to hit too hard when hitting the tenderloin with the hammer, as it can cause the meat to be tough.
Marinating
For tougher cuts of meat, you will want to marinate them first before cooking.
Marinating meat can break down some of the proteins in the meat and make it more tender and add flavor. Acidic marinades include:
- Wine
- Vinegar
- Citrus juices
The acidic marinades should be used only for a few hours. If left on too long, they can have a toughening effect on the meat.
Citrus fruits are especially effective at tenderizing beef. On the other hand, red wine is best when preparing lamb or other red meats.
You can also use an enzyme-based marinade made from pineapple juice (bromelain) or papaya (papain).
Meat enzymes, such as bromelain, break down the proteins in the meat. The enzymes occur naturally in pineapple juice and papaya.
Meat should be marinated in pineapple juice for 12 to 24 hours before cooking. Fresh pineapple can also be used as part of the marinade but must be left on the meat for longer hours.
Pounding Meat
Pounding meat with a mallet or similar meat tenderizers is another method of tenderizing it at home. The act of pounding ruptures the connective tissue in the outer layers of meat and makes it easier to chew.
This method is often used in conjunction with breading and frying meats like chicken breasts to create a crispy coating while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.
Pounding with a good tenderizer is also used in preparing some cuts of steak for grilling.
Salting
The purpose of salting is to reduce the toughness or chewy texture of the meat. Salting works by breaking down the proteins in the meat.
The salt draws some moisture from the meat and then breaks down the protein strands, resulting in softer meat.
The amount of time you need to salt depends on the type of meat and its thickness. For example, chicken breasts need less than one hour. A roast may take up to 24 hours.
The best way to salt is to rub salt into both sides of the cut. Then wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour before grilling it over high heat.
Slow Cook
The best way to tenderize any cut of meat is to cook it using moist heat methods. Such methods include:
- Braising
- Stewing
- Simmering
These methods break down the collagen in the connective tissue with heat and water. The longer you cook it, the more tender the meat will become.
If time isn’t an issue, use an inexpensive cut of meat and let it cook for hours until it falls apart with a fork.
This method is perfect for roasts, steaks, and chops because these cuts have tough connective tissues that need breaking down.
Dry-Aging
Dry-aging is a way to tenderize and intensify the meaty, beefy flavor of the meat. It’s done by hanging a large cut of meat in a controlled environment for several weeks.
Your fridge will do the trick. Pick up some USDA Prime beef from your local butcher, trim it yourself, and pop it in the refrigerator for about two weeks.
You can also order some already dry aged beef from online retailers like Crowd Cow, Porter Road, FarmFoods, and Snake River Farms.
While dry aging is not for the faint of heart, it’s one way to make a great steak even better. The process involves allowing enzymes naturally present in the meat to break down connective tissue and muscle fibers. At the same time, moisture evaporates from the meat, concentrating its flavor.
Some people believe that dry-aging makes the meat unsafe through the increased microbial load. This is not true. As long as you’re cooking the meat properly, there’s no reason to be worried about safety when eating dry-aged beef.
There are two ways to dry age beef at home: hanging and box methods. The hanging method mimics how professional butchers do it, while the box method relies on air circulation inside a container instead of natural airflow around the beef roast (the beef roast hangs freely).
Why Tenderize Meat at Home
Do you ever wonder what tenderizing meat does and why you need to do it at home? Check out the many reasons why you should consider tenderizing meat at home.
You Can Save Money
Meat is one of the most expensive parts of any meal. When you buy cheaper cuts of meat, you are often sacrificing quality for a better price tag.
Tenderizing these meats at home improves their quality, making them stronger in flavor and easier to digest.
You Can Control the Level of Tenderness
When you purchase pre-tenderized meats from a grocery store or butcher shop, they have already been processed. But they may not meet your level of tenderness.
By doing it yourself, you control how much the meat is tenderized so that it is just right when it hits your plate or grill.
You Can Reduce Fat Content
Not only does this method make meat more tender, but it also helps reduce its fat content.
Extra trimming and seasoning help get rid of unwanted fat without sacrificing taste.
Control Over Tenderizing Method
By choosing to tenderize your meat, you retain control over what goes into that process. You can choose from various tenderizing methods:
- Meat mallet
- Marinating the meat in an acidic liquid
- Using a slow cooker, etc
Tenderizing at home allows you to avoid unusual ingredients. For example, polyphosphates, used by some commercial processors, are linked to kidney problems.
Also, you can control what goes into your food. You want a specific ingredient in your dish, right? Using a tenderizer with the same ingredient is an easy way to get more of that ingredient into your recipe without buying another bottle of it.
Ease of Tendering
Home-tenderized meat is easier for you or your family to eat. Mostly, home-tenderized meat is more tender than regular meat. It’s particularly useful for people with dentures or other dental issues that make chewing difficult or painful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you still have questions about tenderization, check out the quick answers below.
How long should you marinate meat?
The answer depends on what type of meat you’re using. It also depends on what effect you want it to have on the final dish. Meats like chicken or pork should be left in the marinade for around two hours. Tougher cuts of beef benefit from overnight soaking by taking up the flavors.
Does tenderizing meat make it healthier?
No. Studies suggest that cooking meat for long periods at high temperatures damages proteins in the meat and decreases their nutritional value. However, tenderizing increases their palatability.
Can you over-tenderize meat?
Yes, you can over-tenderize. Just like over-marinating, over-tenderizing breaks down the proteins to the point where the muscle fibers disintegrate and turn to mush.
What does tenderizing meat do to your stomach?
Tenderizing meat will not tenderize your stomach lining. However, the spices that come with the tenderizing ingredients may upset your digestive system.
Does tenderizing meat make a difference?
Tenderizing meat does make a difference as it involves puncturing holes in the connective tissue, which enhances the absorption of seasonings and marinades. This results in a more succulent and easier-to-consume cooked steak. Additionally, tenderizing is particularly beneficial when preparing thick cuts of steak.
Does cooking meat longer tenderize it?
Cooking meat longer does tenderize it. The tenderness and juiciness of meat when using Low and Slow braising techniques can be attributed to the fats that melt and soften, collagen that turns into gelatin, and water that binds to proteins. Therefore, slow cooking is the most effective method to naturally tenderize meat and preserve its juicy texture.
What do chefs tenderize meat with?
Chefs tenderize meat using various methods such as wet brining, slow cooking, or pounding with a meat mallet. Another option is to use baking soda as a meat tenderizer, which requires less effort, less time, and contains about half the amount of sodium compared to salt.
Does high heat tenderize meat faster?
High heat does not tenderize meat faster.
Why do you tenderize meat?
The importance of tenderizing meat lies in the fact that it softens the fibers, making the meat easier to chew and digest. This technique proves particularly useful when dealing with tough cuts of steak, and it yields excellent results when broiling or frying the meat.
Why do chefs tenderize meat?
Chefs tenderize meat to make it easier to cut and chew, while also enhancing its flavor and juiciness.
How do restaurants make their steaks so tender?
Restaurants achieve tender steaks by utilizing marinades. By marinating steaks during storage, restaurants effectively wet-age the beef to achieve optimal tenderness before it is served. The great news is that you can also achieve this at home with a well-prepared marinade.
Does tenderized meat cook faster?
Tenderized meat does cook faster due to the process of pounding. You can use a skillet or a rolling pin to beat the meat down, making sure to utilize the spikey side of a mallet. The spikes effectively cut up the connective tissue and muscle fibers, allowing the steak to cook more quickly and at a higher heat.
Should you tenderize ribeye steak?
You should consider tenderizing ribeye steak to enhance its tenderness. Although ribeye is typically a tender cut of meat, it can still benefit from various tenderizing techniques. There are several options available to tenderize a ribeye, such as using marinades that include lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, which aid in breaking down connective tissues.
Does pounding chicken make it tender?
Pounding chicken does make it tender. This is because the act of pounding breaks down the fibers in the chicken, resulting in a more tender texture. It is recommended to cover or wrap the chicken in plastic wrap or a sealable bag before pounding.
Should you always tenderize chicken?
You should always tenderize chicken as it enhances the flavor and texture of various dishes, such as buttermilk fried chicken or grilled chicken thighs, making them juicier and more enjoyable to eat.
Why does baking soda tenderize meat?
Baking soda tenderizes meat by raising the pH on the meat’s surface when it is briefly soaked in a solution of baking soda and water. This elevated pH level prevents excessive bonding of proteins, resulting in tender and moist meat after cooking.
What happens when you tenderize meat?
When you tenderize meat, the connective tissue is broken down, resulting in a more tender texture. There are various methods to tenderize meat, such as pounding, marinating, and slow cooking, among others.
Can you tenderize meat too long?
Tenderizing meat is beneficial as it helps to break down tough muscle fibers, resulting in a tender and melt-in-the-mouth texture. However, if the tenderizing process is prolonged excessively, the meat can become mushy and lose its desired texture.
What is the best thing to use to tenderize meat?
The best options for tenderizing meat include using tea, coffee, cola, pineapple, pawpaw, figs, kiwis, ginger, baking soda, vinegar, beer, or wine. These ingredients contain natural tenderizers such as tannins in tea, enzymes in pineapple, pawpaw, figs, and kiwis, and acids in ginger, vinegar, beer, and wine. Additionally, coffee and cola can also help in tenderizing meat.
Why does slow cooking tenderize meat?
Slow cooking tenderizes meat because the connective tissue that binds the muscle fibers in the meat is softened by the moist heat provided. This results in the meat easily falling apart. Additionally, when the heat is maintained at a low temperature during slow cooking, the proteins in the muscle are less likely to become overcooked. As a result, the meat remains moist and tender.
How long do you leave meat tenderizer on meat?
The recommended time to leave meat tenderizer on meat is 30 minutes before cooking, especially when preparing thicker cuts of meats.
Does Coca Cola tenderize steak?
Coca Cola does tenderize steak as the cola marinade helps to break down the meat fibers, resulting in a tender texture. Additionally, it imparts a subtle sweetness to the steak, and when cooked, the sugars in the marinade caramelize, creating a delightful crust. Don’t forget to explore my other steak marinade options such as Red Wine Marinated Steak and Coffee Marinated Steak!
Do you really need a meat tenderizer?
A meat tenderizer is essential for achieving the best results in tenderizing meat, as it helps to avoid gristles and provides superior outcomes through its sharp blades. While there are alternative methods like pounding, marination, and slow cooking, mechanical tenderizing ensures optimal results.
Does meat tenderizer affect taste?
Meat tenderizer does affect taste by making the cuts of meat easier to cut and chew, while also enhancing their flavor and juiciness.
How long should you leave meat tenderizer on before cooking?
You should leave meat tenderizer on for 30 minutes before cooking, especially when preparing thicker cuts of meats.
What are 3 ways to tenderize meat?
The three main methods of tenderizing meat are mechanical, thermal, and enzymatic. Mechanical tenderization involves using tools such as a meat mallet or tenderizer to physically break down the meat fibers. This process essentially pre-chews the meat, making it more tender.
Is meat tenderizer just salt?
Meat tenderizer is not just salt; it is a substance that, when absorbed into the meat, breaks down the protein cells and aids in tenderizing the meat. This process occurs as the salt draws water out of the meat, dissolves in the water, and some of it is reabsorbed back into the meat through osmosis.
What is the best substitute for meat tenderizer?
The best substitute for meat tenderizer includes tea, coffee, cola, pineapple, pawpaw, figs, kiwis, ginger, baking soda, vinegar, and beer or wine.
How do you soften meat quickly?
To soften meat quickly, you can expedite the process by using a baking soda solution. Unlike a saltwater brine, which requires at least 30 minutes to start working, meat only needs to sit in a baking soda solution for 15 to 20 minutes.
Summary
As you can see, tenderizing meat is an excellent way to get the most flavor and the best texture out of a cut of meat, and there are plenty of easy ways to do it at home. Now it’s time for you to pay a visit to your local butcher and pick out a fresh cut, so you can try one of these methods yourself.