Pounding tenderizers break down the muscle fibers with repeated blows from a blunt object. This makes the meat more forgiving when cooking, as it is less likely to dry out or become tough. Pounding also allows marinades to penetrate deeper into the meat.
What Is A Meat Tenderizer?
A meat tenderizer, also known as a meat mallet tenderizer or a meat pounder is a hand-powered tool used to even out and break down the tough cuts and sections of meat. While a meat tenderizer can be made out of any object with a sharp, yet large surface area, today, meat tenderizers or meat pounders are getting produced and manufactured to serve their sole purpose, which is to make the meat tender.
Should I Tenderize Steak?
The choice of tenderizing steak is as personal as choosing the done-ness of it in a restaurant or when you’re cooking it at home. But, keep in mind that tenderizing helps lock and seal the flavor and juice of your steak. This happens because of the punctured holes throughout the meat which make it easy to absorb the marinade.
Ideally, skirt steaks and flank steaks should be tenderized since they have much long and tight muscle fibers which make it quite hard to chew them. Using a meat tenderizer for such steaks will help you plate succulent pieces at the end of your cook.
Another quite common question is – Which steaks should be tenderized?
Well, there are 4 types of steaks that classify as ‘tough meats’ and should almost always be tenderized before being broiled, fried or grilled, as said by Fred Decker.
- Flank Steak: This protein is obtained through the abdominal section of the cow. So, it has a decent portion of saturated fat around it, which makes it hard to cut.
- Skirt Steak: This is the kind of steak you would use for beef stroganoff or fajitas. This steak has meat fibers which make it quite a task to bite through them, and often end up tasting bland if they’re not tenderized, since the marinade doesn’t get absorbed properly.
- Sirloin Steak: It’s almost as if meat tenderizers were made to do this one justice. It is tough meat from a tough cut – The cow’s back. It needs to be marinated thoroughly, which can only be done after this thick cut undergoes a little beating from meat tenderizers.
- Tri-tip Steak: These are triangular, which is quite self-explanatory. But, what you might not know is that a tender cut steak as this one requires being tenderized since they’re also marinade-heavy.
Bonus for those looking for great beef recipes :
These 4 types of steaks also have 4 distinct ways of being tenderized, in ways different from a meat tenderizer. From using salt on the surface of the meat to using a marinade, these are many methods that have worked perfectly well for countless decades and generations. But, before you begin, keep in mind that your meat needs to be at room temperature. They cannot be frozen – Even partially.
You need to closely monitor your steak and make sure that the acid is not breaking it down too much and too quickly. If it begins to cook around the edges, remove the steak and place a fruit such as papayas, figs or kiwis on it. The enzymes in these fruits can tenderize the meat. You can also opt for a purèed form.
Start from the center and move towards each side. You can always use a cast-iron skillet or rolling pin if you don’t have a meat mallet/tenderizer.
There you have it, folks. Remember to tenderize your steaks with a natural meat tenderizer like the ones mentioned above, or get yourself a meat tenderizer, meat mallet, or a meat pounder. Not heard of any of these? Keep reading.
Can This Tool Make Cheap Meat Tender?
FAQ
Does meat tenderizer really work?
Are needle tenderizers good?
Can you leave meat tenderizer on too long?
What is a mechanical meat tenderizer?
Mechanical meat tenderizers are tools or devices designed to physically break down the tough fibers in meat, making it more tender and easier to chew. This type of meat tenderizer is a tool that has a series of small blades or needles that pierce the meat’s surface.
Do you need a meat tenderizer?
Whether you’re preparing a roast, steak, chicken, or any other type of meat, it should be succulent and tender. To ensure that your meat cuts meet your expectations, try a meat tenderizer. Meat tenderizers physically break down dense protein bonds, allowing moisture to easily permeate through the meat while it cooks.
What is a meat tenderizer good for?
It’s not just tenderizing meat that a meat tenderizer is good for — it’s also great to use as a mallet when making chicken piccata or other recipes where you need the ‘pounding’ sensation without actually crushing your food.
How do needle meat tenderizers work?
Needle meat tenderizers use a set of razor-sharp metal needles to pierce the meat to a depth of 1.5 to 2 inches. The needles tear apart muscle tissue and provide narrow channels for seasonings, rubs, and marinades to penetrate. These piercing cuts can also reduce cooking time since they help heat and moisture permeate through the muscle fibers.