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Best Meat Tenderizer for any Meat

If you enjoy eating meat, but sometimes you find it to be tough, dry and chewy, you should consider buying a meat tenderizer. This tool helps you cook the most delicious, delicate, and succulent steak. On top of that, the prep and cooking time will be substantially reduced if you pound your meat with a tenderizer. Not to mention, the marinade, brine, and spice rubs will penetrate deeper into the flesh in the twinkle of an eye. As you can see, such tool is a must-have in your kitchen!

We have spent a lot of time and effort on researching and choosing the right meat tenderizer. Finally, we are ready to offer to your attention a buying guide that will help you pick a high-quality tool. We also tested various types of meat tenderizers on different kinds of meat. We offer you from traditional and primitive cooking tools to more modern and sophisticated meat tenderizers. All of them provide different features that are appropriate in various situations.

Best Meat Tenderizer 2020

We chose versatile kitchen tools that are perfect for both cooking enthusiasts and professional chefs. We found meat tenderizers, which are ideal for pounding red as well as white meat. Now it is up to you to pick only the best meat tenderizer 2020!

Meat Tenderizer Mallet

Spring Chef Meat Tenderizer
Spring Chef - Meat Tenderizer, Heavy Duty Hammer Mallet Tool and Chicken Pounder, Solid Aluminum Construction with Chrome Plating, Soft Grip Handle, Black

Do you prefer a traditional tool to a modern one? This meat tenderizer is excellent for somebody like you then. It’s not surprising that you are looking for such type of the pounding tool as it has many advantages. Not only can you tenderize the meat but also you can do many other things. The Spring Chef meat tenderizer is very easy to use and maintain. The washing of this tool will be quite effortless and very fast.

The meat tenderizer has a double head. The smooth side of the tool is ideal for flattening the meat so that it can be cooked evenly. The spiky side is perfect for tenderizing the steak so that you can marinate it quicker. Moreover, you can loosen garlic’s skin or crush its bulb, crack a crab, loosen the package of frozen fruits or veggies. You will also be able to crush hard candy and nuts or make breadcrumbs. You can break up the ice cubes for your favourite drink to satisfy your thirst on a hot summer day.

The heavy-duty mallet tool will reduce the cooking time of the meat up to 50%. The meat tenderizer is excellent for steak, chicken, and veal. Your steak will be very soft and flavorful. You will be even able to cut the meat with the help of the butter knife! Your steak will be ideally and evenly cooked thanks to such a fantastic tool. The hammer tool will help the seasonings and spices to get into the meat to make it juicy.

The meat tenderizer requires a little effort to do the job properly. The weighted head and gravity allow doing most of the work. Your hands won’t be tired anymore because of the physical efforts. The soft handle is very comfortable for people with arthritis. The construction of the mallet is solid as it is made from the aluminum. This is a sturdy material, which will last for an extended period. You can clean such tool in hot water if you want to kill all the bacteria for safe cooking. You can be sure that the meat won’t get stuck on the pyramid-shaped points. You will be able easily to remove any pieces of chicken or veal.

Advantages
  • Easy to clean
  • Effortless to maintain
  • Flattens, evens and tenderizes the meat
  • Versatile
  • Reduces cooking time
  • Perfect for steak, chicken, and veal
  • Soft handle is ideal for people with arthritis
Disadvantages
  • Small
  • Light
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Aluminum Soft Short, not very sharp Not dishwasher safe Square dual head Light Small

Needle Meat Tenderizer

Mercier Kitchen Professional Needle Meat Tenderizer
MERCIER Professional Needle Meat Tenderizer - 56 Stainless Steel Blades - For Steak, Chicken, Fish and Pork + Cleaning Brush

Needle or blade meat tenderizer is an excellent alternative to a traditional pounding tool. If you are one of those people, who prefer modern and complicated stuff, you should go for this item. The blade meat tenderizer will cut through the collagen and connective tissue that makes you meat so tough. The needles will make holes, which will allow heat and air in to reduce the cooking time up to 40%. These holes will also let the spice rubs and brine to penetrate deep into the meat to cut the marinating time down to five minutes.

When it comes to the cheap cut of meat or wild game meat, it is tough, stringy, and chewy. The preparation and cooking time of such meat is very long. However, you can say goodbye to the rubbery meat if you choose the Mercier Kitchen meat tenderizer. With its help, your steak will be juicy and tender without being battered and bashed. You will be able to turn chicken, pork, fish or steak into a piece of fine cuisine.

This tool is made of the premium quality 18/8 stainless steel, which won’t ever rust or corrode. It comes with fifty-six ultra-sharp blades, which are built to last. Thanks to the food grade material of the meat tenderizer, you can be sure that it’s safe for cooking. The tool is FDA approved and BPA-free with ABS plastic that is harmless for your health.

The needle meat tenderizer is dishwasher safe and quite easy to wash as it comes with a special cleaning brush. All you need to do is to put the tool on the top shelf of the dishwasher. The meat tenderizer won’t take any more space than an ordinary size plate in the dishwasher rack.

The tool is kids friendly thanks to the protective cup and safety lock mechanism. If you store it properly, your child or you will never hurt your hands by accident.

Advantages
  • Reduces cooking time
  • Cuts down marinating time
  • Premium quality stainless steel
  • 56 sharp blades
  • BPA free
  • FDA approved
  • ABS plastic
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Safety lock mechanism and protective cup
Disadvantages
  • The plastic cup may be loose fitting
  • It may get stuck in a thicker meat
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Large, round 56 long, sharp Dishwasher safe, safety lock mechanism Protective cup Light Compact

Jaccard Meat Tenderizer

The Jaccard Corporation was established in Buffalo, New York in 1962. The founder of this company was Swiss butcher, Andre Jaccard. He knew that the key to a successful business was innovative, useful and fascinating products. Today, the Jaccard company is located in Rochester, New York. The corporation still has the same goal and operates by the same principles. Not only does it refine existing products, but it also develops new ones. The company has a desire to provide superb customer service and offer the best solutions to the customer’s needs.

Jaccard Meat Tenderizer
Jaccard 45-Blade Meat Tenderizer, Simply Better Meat Tenderizer, Stainless Steel Columns/ Removable Cartridge, NSF Approved, Black

Jaccard meat tenderizer is considered the best quality product on the market today. If you are looking for the ponding tool of this brand, you should try the handheld meat maximizer. Jaccard meat tenderizer is the only NSF certified, and also the ABS-approved product. The blades of the tool make holes, which allow the heat and air to penetrate the flesh evenly. This process prevents any undercooking or overcooking of the steak. The needles will cut through varying thickness of the meat. They will reduce the cooking time up to the 40% by creating small heat channels in the flesh.

Your meat will marinate quicker thanks to the holes that allow the brine to penetrate deep into the flesh. Such meat tenderizer is excellent for most types of the meat. You can tenderize anything from calamari to beef with the help of this tool. No matter what meat you choose for your meal, it will be succulent and tender. Even such rubbery thing like calamari will melt in your mouth for sure! The meat tenderizer will also reduce shrinkage of the steak. The tool helps save all the natural juices of the meat. You can be sure that your meat will be cooked evenly.

The product comes with removable blade cartridge for thorough and quick washing. You can put this tool on the top rack of the dishwasher for sterilizing and cleaning. However, you should disassemble the meat tenderizer first following the instructions that illustrate the process. If you look after this item correctly, it will serve you many years as it was built to last. It comes with forty-five blades that are made of the sturdy stainless metal. The handle is made of the solid plastic. The construction of the meat tenderizer is superior.

Advantages
  • NSF certified
  • ABS certified
  • Prevents undercooking
  • Reduces cooking time up to 40%
  • Tenderizes most proteins, from calamari to beef
  • Reduces shrinkage
  • Saves natural juices
  • Removable blade cartridge for quick and thorough cleaning
  • Superb construction
Disadvantages
  • Better suited for restaurants
  • It is hard to put it back after washing
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Plastic 45 long, sharp Dishwasher safe (disassemble first) Hand-held Light Compact

Commercial Meat Tenderizer

Lasting Charm Meat Tenderizer
Meat Tenderizer - Professional Commercial Quality Kitchen Tool 48 Stainless Razor-sharp Steel Blades For Steak, Chicken, Fish, Pork - Meat Genie Tenderizers with Safety Lock (White)

Are you looking for a heavy-duty tool that can tenderize any type and cut of the meat? You should consider the Lasting Charm meat tenderizer. This commercial pounding tool is perfect for restaurants and hotels. The product is created for professional chefs so that they can cook a sophisticated meal for their customers. A chef will be able to prepare a dish of the high cuisine with the help of this item. Only the real gourmets will appreciate the succulent, soft and flavorful meat.

The meat tenderizer will work well on the thin pieces of the meat as well as on the thick ones. You can use it only on the one side of the meat to save time and effort, which you need the most in the kitchen. This tool will transform even the toughest cuts of the meat into delicate pieces of pleasure. Just a press of a button and voila! The blades of this tool will easily penetrate the flesh without destroying it. Such process will reduce the cooking time of the steak considerably. You won’t have to leave the meat overnight for marinating anymore. The tool will slash the marinating time in half.

The meat tenderizer consists of the three row of the razor-sharp blades that are made of the stainless steel. The forty-eight knives are sturdy enough to cut through the connective tissue of the meat quickly. The spikes won’t become dull after using this tool for a few times, thanks to the durable material. The handle of the meat tenderizer is made of plastic, which is ABS approved.

The safety-lock feature will help prevent any accidents in the kitchen. The storage cap will ensure extra safety for your hands. You can relax and get the best results in the kitchen with a peaceful mind. You won’t have to worry about cutting yourself. The commercial meat tenderizer is easy to wash. You can put it on the top rack of the dishwasher for cleaning. The handwash requires only warm water and no scrubbing with a brush.

The item is available in white and black colour so you can choose the one that matches the colour of your kitchen.

Advantages
  • Heavy-duty
  • Perfect for restaurants and hotels
  • Works well on both thick and thin pieces of the meat
  • It is enough to pound only one side of the steak
  • Turns tough cuts into delicate pieces
  • Durable and sturdy materials
  • Safety-lock feature
  • Storage cap
  • Dishwasher safe
Disadvantages
  • Keeps getting stuck in the flesh
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Plastic 48 razor-sharp Dishwasher safe, safety-lock Storage cap Medium Large

Best Meat Tenderizer for Your Money

Are you wondering about the inexpensive yet effective tool for tenderizing the meat? This meat tenderizer won’t cost you a lot of money at all! It will be able to get the job done like any other costly pounding tool though. Why would you overpay then? You can save the money and get a kitchen tool of the excellent quality if you consider this item. It will help you prepare a mouth-filling steak that is soft and succulent. It is best to use the tenderizer for pounding thin pieces of the meat. It is ideal for tenderizing poultry and fish.

The convenient handle of the cooking tool is made of plastic. The needles of the meat tenderizer are made of stainless steel. All the materials are earth-friendly and safe for your health. You shouldn’t worry that this item can cause you any harm. The handle provides an excellent grip so that you won’t drop the tool on the floor.

The needles of the tenderizer will break down the connective tissue, muscle fiber and collagen that makes the meat tough, dry, and chewy. Usually, such tool reduces the cooking time of the steak. The prongs create tiny channels that allow heat, air, and marinade to penetrate deep into the meat quickly. Therefore, the prep time won’t take too long. It is also very easy to work with this meat tenderizer. You won’t have any trouble of figuring out how to use the tool.

Thanks to the compact design, the small cooking tool won’t take much space in your kitchen. As it has a hole at the end of the handle, you can hang the needle tenderizer on the wall. When the tool is not in use, the needles are covered with a plastic bit for your safety. Your children won’t hurt themselves by accident. The item is available only in white colour. However, such colour is considered versatile.

Advantages
  • Earth-friendly and safe materials
  • Good quality
  • Excellent grip
  • Easy to use
  • Reduces cooking time
  • Compact
  • You can hang it on the wall or elsewhere
  • Versatile colour
Disadvantages
  • It won’t fit the size of the steak properly so you will have to make more efforts
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Plastic Long, sharp Not dishwasher safe Hole on the handle for hanging on the wall Light Small

Meat Tenderizer for Steak

Koncle Professional Needle Meat Tenderizer
Koncle Professional Needle Meat Tenderizers 56 Stainless Steel Blades, Cooking Tool for Steak Chicken Fish Pork, Durable Baking Kitchen Access, 4.6 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches, Black

Cannot imagine your life without a good steak? Are you looking for a tool that can make your steak exquisitely delicious? Then you should have a look at the Koncle meat tenderizer. This versatile tool is excellent for turkey, chicken, veal, pork, beef, venison, and fish. Not only is this meat tenderizer perfect for cheap or tough meat, but also it is ideal for many other types of meat. Such kitchen tool is great for home use as well for restaurants. It is suitable for both professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts.

The meat tenderizer helps the steak to cook evenly and quickly. The tool also enables you to cut the meat much easier as the steak becomes very soft after pounding. With the help of the meat tenderizer, various sauces, spices and marinades will penetrate faster. In such a way, the prep and cooking time will be substantially reduced. This cooking tool must be in your kitchen for sure if you want to cook the best steak ever!

The meat tenderizer is made of food grade material, which won’t cause any harm to your health. The pounding tool comes with the fifty-six ultra-sharp blades that are made of stainless steel. The corrosion resistance and hard texture of the knives will ensure the long-lasting use. Such meat tenderizer won’t get rusty after multiple washing. The hand press handle of this tool is ABS approved. The spring design will deliver comfort and convenience.

The product is portable and compact so that you can take it anywhere with you. It comes with a protective cover to ensure safe storage. The blades will deploy only while pressing into the steak. The spikes will automatically retract when lifted for extra protection. All you need to do to clean this item is to soak it in lukewarm soapy water for a few minutes after using. Then you should wash it off with the help of the brush.

Advantages
  • Versatile
  • Suitable for many types of the meat
  • Great for home use and restaurants
  • Meat cooks quickly and evenly
  • Sauces penetrate faster
  • Made of food grade material
  • Stainless steel blades
  • Corrosion resistant
Disadvantages
  • Difficult to clean
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Hand press 56 ultra-sharp, long Safety lock, dishwasher safe Protective cover, spring design Medium Small

Tenderizer for Deer Meat

Love Hyggie Heavy Duty Tool for Tenderizing Deer
Love Hyggie - Ultra Sharp 48 Stainless Steel Meat Tenderizer Tool - detachable heavy duty press for tenderizing meat (chicken, steak, pork loin, fish, deer, etc). Dishwasher safe

Do you like to eat venison? Some cuts of this meat can be quite coarse. If you are looking for a tool that can make your steak succulent and tender, you should check this product out. The Love Hyggie meat tenderizer will turn even the coarsest venison into the meat that melts in your mouth. You will be able to cook the steak that tastes even better than in some restaurants! Such tool is excellent for frying and grilling the venison. The tenderizing of the inexpensive cuts of the meat will become effortless and quick!

Not only is this tool perfect for pounding deer, but it is also ideal for tenderizing chicken, pork, beef, lamb, fish, steak and loin. As you can see, the meat tenderizer is excellent for both red and white meat. It is the safest and the most natural way to tenderize the meat with this tool. The blades will make small punctures, which allow the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat. It will take only an hour or even less marinate the venison.

This high-quality product comes with forty-eight very sharp heavy-duty needles that are made of stainless steel. The spikes will retain their sharpness after multiple uses. The meat tenderizer with a detachment lock will make sure that you can clean each blade thoroughly. It is very easy to disassemble the lock within a few seconds to wash the tool in warm soapy water. All you will need to do is to pull both side locks, hold the body and pull it up. You can clean this item in a dishwasher to get rid of the dangerous bacteria. The item is BPA and FDA approved. The grip of the manual meat tenderizer is ergonomic and light. The handheld pounding tool comes with a protective cover for your safety.

Advantages
  • Perfect for cooking and grilling the meat
  • Tenderizing of the inexpensive cuts is effortless and quick
  • Ideal for pounding red and white meat
  • Safe and natural way to tenderize the meat
  • Takes an hour or less to marinate your steak
  • Stainless steel needles
  • Detachment lock ensures thorough cleaning of each blade
  • Dishwasher safe
Disadvantages
  • Expensive
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Lightweight grip 48 long, very sharp Dishwasher safe, detachment lock Protective cover Light Compact

Meat Tenderizer for Pork

KLEMOO Meat Tenderizer Tool for Pork
KLEMOO Meat Tenderizer Tool - 48 Ultra Sharp Needle Stainless Steel Blades Kitchen Tool for Chicken, Steak, Beef, Pork, Fish, Make a Difference in Tenderness (Black)

This tenderizer tool is perfect for those people whose favourite meat is pork. It is ideal for tenderizing pork loin, skin and other cuts of this meat. Thanks to such product, you will enjoy the tenderness of the pork that melts in your mouth. Moreover, you will be able to enjoy grilling time with your friends or family. Kill two birds with one stone! The KLEMOO meat tenderizer is also great to use before cooking or baking your favourite meat.

Not only is this tool excellent for pounding pork, but it is also great for tenderizing beefsteaks, lamb chops, duck and chicken breasts, wild game or fish steaks. Sometimes you spend lots of time preparing pork, but you find it to be chewy and coarse at the end. You let your meat soak in various marinades for many hours, but the pork is still dry. Not to worry! This meat tenderizer is an excellent solution to all those problems.

This model comes with forty-eight sharp spikes that are made of stainless steel. They won’t become dull even after using them for several years. When you press a button, the knives penetrate the pork to create tiny channels, which help the meat to absorb the marinade quicker. The marinade will be fully absorbed into the pork in five minutes. The brine will add an unforgettable flavour throughout the whole chunk of pork.

The channels allow the heat to penetrate the steak evenly to prevent your meat from undercooking or overcooking. With the help of this kitchen tool, the cooking time will be reduced up to 40%. The juicy and delicious pork will be a satisfactory result, thanks to the KLEEMOO meat tenderizer. The knives will cut the connective tissue and muscle fiber that make the meat chewy and tough. The cooking tool will help the pork retain its natural juices and flavours and also reduce its shrinkage.

The ergonomic design of the meat tenderizer ensures easy control and use. The handle of this item is comfortable and non-slip. The tool requires just a little energy to make it work. You can clean such meat tenderizer on the top rack of the dishwasher right after use. You can also hand wash the tool if you don’t have a dishwasher. You need to soak the product in soapy hot water for a while and then rinse it with the hot water and air-dry it. The item comes with a protective cover for safe and sanitary storage.

Advantages
  • Ideal for cooking, baking and grilling
  • Perfect for most types of meat
  • Blades won’t become dull after few years of use
  • Reduced cooking time
  • Meat retains its natural juices and flavours
  • Easy to control and use
  • Non-slip and comfy handle
  • Dishwasher safe
Disadvantages
  • The blades aren’t removable
  • Hard to clean
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Non-slip, ergonomic 48 very sharp, long Dishwasher safe Protective cover Light Medium

Meat Tenderizer for Beef

Checkered Chef Hammer Tool for Tenderizing Beef
Checkered Chef Meat Tenderizer Tool - Metal Kitchen Mallet for Tenderizing Chicken, Beef & Pork w/Non-Slip Grip

This product is excellent for those people who eat beef most of the time. If you prefer this type of meat to any other, you should consider the Checkered Chef meat tenderizer. It is just perfect for pounding the beef. It will help you make your favourite meat more delicate and juicy. However, you can also use this kitchen tool for tenderizing poultry and steak. Thanks to the versatility and multi-purpose of the mallet tool, you can use it in various situations. You will cook the mouth-filling beef with the help of this hammer. It will help you prepare a special meal for your nearest and dearest. You will be able to impress your guests with your culinary talents!

The item has an ideal weight for beating the toughness out of the beefsteak. This model is designed ergonomically to let the weight of the meat tenderizer do the job. In such a way, your hand won’t have to make a lot of effort. The mallet is light enough to lift without any muscle strains. Nevertheless, the hammer is heavy enough to pound the beef properly to your needs.

The double-sided meat tenderizer provides you with more options. You can use the spikey side of the tool for tenderizing the beef and the smooth side for making thin fillet (minute steak or schnitzel). No matter which one you choose, you will create succulent and delicate steak. Soft handle helps absorb all the pressure. Rubber material ensures that the mallet won’t slip out of your hands. You won’t drop such pounding tool on the floor. The handle is comfortable enough for right-handed and left-handed users.

The black coating of the handle is made of rubber. This coating is non-stick and sleek. It protects the solid metal construction. The handle provides a comfortable grip. The product is dishwasher safe and very easy to clean. Thanks to this tool, you will able to cook water or minute steak, stew, schnitzel, and pound chicken breasts.

Advantages
  • Multi-purpose
  • Versatile
  • Ideal weight
  • The dual head provides more options
  • Soft handle
  • Comfy grip
  • Easy to clean
  • Dishwasher safe
Disadvantages
  • The coating may chip off
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Metal Non-stick, sleek, rubber Short, not ultra-sharp Dishwasher safe Double-sided Medium Small

Meat Tenderizer for Chicken

FLYTT Meat Tenderizer for Chicken
Flytt Meat Tenderizer, 48 Stainless Steel Ultra Sharp Needle Blade Tenderizer Tool for Tenderizing Steak, Beef,Marinade and BBQ (01)

Chicken is an integral part of most people’s dietary. We eat this delicious white meat quite often. Therefore, we should do our best to enjoy every piece of chicken. However, sometimes it can be dry and coarse, so you don’t get any pleasure out of eating meat. There is a way to make your chicken juicy, tender and yummy. Before cooking, you should tenderize the meat with the help of this tool. We have chosen the FLYTT meat tenderizer because it is entirely suitable for pounding the chicken. The versatile tool is also ideal for tenderizing the steak, pork, and fish.

All you need to do is to press it a few times to allow the sharp spikes to penetrate the meat. The holes will help the chicken to absorb the brine and spices quickly. It will take only five minutes to marinate the meat. The cooking time of the chicken will be reduced by 40% with the help of this meat tenderizer. The preparation won’t take much time too. You will be able to cook a dinner for your family in a blink of an eye. You won’t forget the heavenly taste of the chicken!

Manufacturers used only high-quality materials to create the meat tenderizer that meets all your requirements. The forty-eight blades of the tool are made of stainless steel. The knives are quite sharp, very sturdy, and anti-rust. The product was built to last for many years. This item is no worse than hammers and mallets. The handle of the cooking tool is ABS approved, non-slip and very comfortable.

The meat tenderizer comes with a storage cap to ensure safety. The blades will deploy when you press into the chicken. The knives will automatically retract when lifted. The washing of the spikes with a brush is easy, thanks to the detachable base design. You can also clean the pounding tool in a dishwasher.

Advantages
  • Versatile
  • Cooking time is reduced by 40%
  • It takes only five minutes to marinate the meat
  • High-quality materials
  • Anti-rust blades
  • Non-slip handle
  • Storage cap
  • Dishwasher safe
Disadvantages
  • Hassle to clean
Material Handle Blades Features Design Weight Size
Stainless steel Non-slip 48 anti-rust, sturdy, sharp, long Dishwasher safe Storage cap Light Small

Buying Guide

History of the Meat Tenderizer

The idea of tenderizing the meat took its roots centuries ago. The concept of consuming the meat dates back to the first appearance of the Homo sapiens (100,000 years ago). As soon as the early men evolved into bipedal species, their needs got higher as well. The ability of the early man to become a hunter helped us to explain the cravings for meat, especially the taste for beef.

The Homo sapiens ate raw meat before they became familiar with the fire. Once they harnessed its use, they found themselves on the horns of a dilemma: how to preserve the meat. The early man kept looking for the new ways, which could help keep the meat full-flavoured and fresh for an extended period.

The first person who patented the meat tenderizer in 1954 was Walter Dura. Nevertheless, Andre Jaccard introduced this tool to the United States in the 60’s. Since the middle of the 20th century, the mechanical tenderizer evolved to improve the user’s comfort. Tools with double heads, compact shapes and textured handles took the place of manual and crank-operated meat tenderizers. All these features also improved the taste of the meat when cooking it.

Nowadays, you can find even more effective and sophisticated meat tenderizer on the market. You should find the place for this tool in your kitchen because it will help you create the mouth-watering steak.

Types of Meat Tenderizer

What is meat tenderizer?

First, you need to find out what a meat tenderizer is, how it works and why you need it. Only then, we will talk about its types to help you choose the right tool.  A meat tenderizer is also known as meat pounder or meat mallet. It is a hand-powered tool, which is used for tenderizing the chunks of any meat. Meat tenderizer helps you prepare a steak for cooking. Mostly, it is made from various materials, and it has different forms. Thus, each meat tenderizer offers particular features.

How does meat tenderizer work?

You should understand how the tool works before getting one. Mechanical meat tenderizer has a rough and spiky surface. When the spikes of this tool hit the flesh, the force will break the fibers of the muscle and bond apart the collagen. In such a way, the meat will be softer than before pounding. The connective tissue and muscle fiber make the steak tough. Thanks to the meat tenderizer, your steak will be so tender that it melts in your mouth.

You need to depend on the toughness of the cut and the thickness of the meat to decide how long and hard to hit the steak. Sometimes a few minutes is enough to make your steak soft and sometimes the meat requires more time and effort. If you follow our tips and tricks, you will get the desired steak of your dreams!

Why do you need meat tenderizer?

Meat tenderizer is a must-have tool that every person should have in the kitchen. It is designed to help you eat up soft and succulent steak. Usually, if you buy less expensive slabs of the meat, it turns out to be somewhat coarse. This tool allows you to soften up your steak so that it will melt in your mouth. Thanks to the meat tenderizer, you can marinate the flesh quicker because the juices get into the meat much easier. The tool breaks protein filaments and muscle fiber that make the meat hard. The meat tenderizer flattens and thins the flesh and improves its texture too. The steak is easy to cut and eat if you pound it with a meat tenderizer. The pounded meat will be also effortless to chew and digest.

On top of all of that, the cooking time will be reduced if you use a meat tenderizer. It is perfect for those people who don’t have enough spare time. The tool also helps minimize the shrinkage of the meat in the process of preparation. Your slab of the meat will stay as big after cooking as it was before. Moreover, meat tenderizer makes sure that your steak is cooked evenly. The one end of your steak won’t be rare and the other end well done. This meat tenderizer will improve the flavour of the meat as well. In such a way, you will get the steak of your dreams! As the tool offers an effective way of tendering flesh, you won’t have to make much effort to prepare delicious dinner.

Now it is the time for you to learn about the types of meat tenderizers. Currently, you can find five different kinds of meat tenderizer on the market. This tool falls into the following categories: traditional (resembles mallet or hammer), meat tenderizer that resembles potato masher, needle or blade, scrolling, and cuber tenderizer. Each of them provides different characteristics for various purposes. Every meat tenderizer has its advantages and disadvantages like any other thing.

TraditionalNeedle meat tenderizerPotato masherScrolling meat tenderizerHeavy-duty meat cuber
The traditional meat tenderizer consists of wooden or solid metal handle and dual head. The length of the handle is often short for extra convenience. The handle can be made from marble, plastic coating or plastic. A dual head comes typically in the shape of a mallet or hammer. One of the striking heads is flat and smooth while the other one has rows of pyramid-shaped points. Thanks to the two striking heads, you can even, flatten, and tenderize the thickness of the meat without making it too soft.

This type of the meat tenderizer is the most common because people have been using it for decades. You need to use the force of your pounding action and the weight of the hammer to tenderize the meat. The downside of such meat tenderizer is that you have to put a lot of efforts. However, the upside of the traditional meat tenderizers is that they are easy to use, maintain and wash. It can serve many other functions as well. You can pound up nuts or break up something frozen. You can crush, mash and whack anything you like with the help of this tool.

The next kind of the meat tenderizer is widely used today. This modern tool is more complex than its traditional variation. It is known as blade or needle meat tenderizer. The blade meat tenderizer comes with small sharp stainless steel needles that puncture the meat and cut through the connective tissue and muscle fiber. The blades penetrate into the flesh to create small holes that allow heat and air inside while preparing. This process will help reduce the cooking time of the meat. It will also help a marinade to penetrate deep into the flesh, which will save some time.

The body of the needle meat tenderizer is made of plastic. The needles are too sharp, so you should be careful while washing such tool. You should find the machine that has a cover for the needles when you don’t use it (in the name of safety precautions). It is quite challenging to clean blade meat tenderizer. You should be careful while using the tool because it can damage the meat.

Another type of the meat tenderizer is similar to a potato masher. This tool has a big metal face and short handle. The face of the meat tenderizer can be completely smooth or feature pyramid-shaped tenderizers. The kitchen tool has almost the same characteristics as the traditional meat tenderizer.
Scrolling meat tenderizer is made in the shape of a roller that is attached to a handle. The roller features sharp blades, which moves over the meat. The roller points cut through the surface of the flesh to break down the muscle fiber and connective tissue, which make the meat tough. Such tool works faster, and it is effortless to handle. Nevertheless, it is not very effective and requires some effort. It is not very easy to clean the sharp blades, which may cause injuries.
The last variety of the meat tenderizer is heavy-duty meat cuber. It is suitable in those cases when your meat it very broad and too coarse. When the flesh passes through the cuber, it breaks down into soft cubes. The tool has blades, which turn the meat into the small cubes as it passes through. The heavy-duty cuber is excellent for making the meat thin. It is also perfect for tenderizing chicken fried steak or ideal cubed steak. However, it is hard to clean this tool, and the meat can be stuck in the blades.

You should pick the exact type of the meat tenderizer that fits your needs. Therefore, you need to keep in mind our tips when choosing the right one for you.

How to choose meat tenderizer

You need to pay attention to a few things if you want to buy a premium quality meat tenderizer. We will point out the key moments, which you should take into consideration when purchasing the tool. We will help you draw your attention only to the essential characteristics of the meat tenderizer.
MaterialHandleBladesFeaturesDesignWeightSize of the Head
Which material of the meat tenderizer is better: metal, plastic, rubber, wood or marble? Some types of food can affect the condition of your tool. They can stain the wooden meat tenderizer or even damage it. The plastic of the poor quality is more likely to crack after a few times of use. Therefore, the material determines how long your tool will last. You want your meat tenderizer to be durable and sturdy to prevent any accidents while pounding the meat. Steel might be a good idea because it is more durable material than wood or even aluminum.

You will have to use different methods to clean a particular tenderizer. Some of them (wooden) might be quite a hassle to clean, while others are effortless and quick to wash. If you go for a steel option, you should pick only the stainless one to avoid any rusting after washing. However, you should bear in mind that meat tenderizer made from metal, wood or marble is heavy. That can affect the sufficiency of pounding and cooking the meat.

What should you look for when it comes to the handle of the meat tenderizer? It is essential to choose the right handle if you want to grip the tool properly. You will have more control when you pound the steak if the grip of the tenderizer is good. Thus, you can give more power to flatten or crush the flesh. The handle of the tool should fit perfectly in your hand. It should also allow for your middle finger and the thumb to reach when you’re trying to wrap your hand around the hammer.

You should consider rubber handle if you don’t want the meat tenderizer to slip out of your hand. It happens quite often especially when you’re pounding the fatty raw meat. It may be quite dangerous because you can injure yourself or others. If you drop the tenderizer, you can also damage the furniture or the floor. This is why you should pick the one that feels comfortable in your hand to ensure just the right fit. You need to choose the meat tenderizer only with a firm and solid grip.

You should have a look at the knives of the meat tenderizer when choosing one. You don’t want your tool to have very sharp teeth because you can injure yourself and shred the meat. You need to pick the meat tenderizer with not very long blades. The excess penetration may spoil the flesh while you are working on it. You should also stick with stainless steel blades if you want them to serve for a long time. Otherwise, the teeth can rust when exposed to the water, which will shorten their life.

Meat tenderizers don’t offer too many unique features. In fact, they can provide you with only one truly special feature. The ability of the meat tenderizer to be dishwasher safe is quite convenient. It makes it easier to clean the tool to remove the oil, shredded meats and bacteria from the handle and the whole tenderizer itself.

You won’t have to hand wash the meat tenderizer, which requires manual cleaning. Such feature of this tool will save your time. You also won’t have to make much effort. All you will have to do is to put the meat tenderizer in a dishwasher and wait until it finishes the job. Voila! The tool is clean, bacteria-free and ready for the next task.

The functions of different meat tenderizers remain more or less similar. Nevertheless, the design may differ a lot one from another. Which tenderizer you should choose is just a matter of your preference. Some mallets have round heads, while other hammers have square heads. It won’t be difficult for you to pick a meat tenderizer because both of them can get the job done. Needle tenderizers are also available in various shapes and colours. Some of them come with protective covers. Any tool will successfully do its function, which is softening or flattening the meat.
You should check the weight of the meat tenderizer if you want to make pounding easier and quicker. When you are buying such tool, test it first to make sure that its weight is comfortable just for you. The weight of the meat tenderizer shouldn’t be too light or too heavy. If your tool is very light, it will require more pounding. You will have to use it for an extended period to get the desired result, which can make you very tired. When your tool is too heavy, it can make your arms tired while pounding the meat. Your hands might even go numb after you get the job done.

The right weight of the meat tenderizer won’t wear you out after a short period. You should look for something between lightweight and heavyweight. In such a way, you will get the best experience out of using this tool. An excellent tenderizer shouldn’t affect your performance in the kitchen under any circumstances. If you pick an ideal meat tenderizer, you will be able to impress your family or friends with heavenly delicious, succulent and tender steak.

It requires some knowledge to find a perfect meat tenderizer. You have already learnt many things about this tool. Finally, there’s the last characteristic of the tenderizer we need to talk about. The last but not the least feature is the dimension of the tenderizer’s head. This tool should suit properly the size and type of the meat you are going to pound. You should take into consideration the dimension of the pounding tool’s top if you want to tenderize your steak comfortably. Knowing the size of the meat and the dimension of the tenderizer’s head will help you work more efficiently on your steak.

How to clean a meat tenderizer

A particular type of the meat tenderizer requires a specific cleaning method. We offer you several ways you can wash various models of this tool. We chose the most common meat tenderizers: traditional and blade.

You can use soapy water and a brush to clean a traditional meat tenderizer (the same method may be applied to a scrolling meat tenderizer). You should consider using a dishwasher if your meat tenderizer is made from a stainless material. If a traditional meat tenderizer is made from aluminum or wood, we don’t recommend you to use a dishwasher because it can damage the tool. Aluminum can be sensitive to the detergent, which is used in a dishwasher. The deposits of the white powder may also cause the corrosion of the aluminum. A dishwasher may cause the wood to crack. If you want your tool to last longer, try to hand wash wood or aluminum meat tenderizer.

You can use a brush and hot soapy water to wash a blade meat tenderizer (the same method may be applied to a cuber tenderizer). You can take such tool apart so that the cleaning will be effortless. The blades of the meat tenderizer are sharp, so you have to be very careful if you want to prevent any injuries.

FAQ

How to tenderize meat without a tenderizer?

There are a few key steps to the preparation of the meat without a tenderizer.

  • You need to pound the flesh out to make it tender and soft, effortless to cut and eat. You should place the meat in a plastic bag and pound it using a saucepan, rolling pin, skillet or any other weighty items.
  • You can season the flesh with a generous amount of salt an hour before you start cooking. You should rinse the meat under cold water, and pat dry it before preparation.
  • You can also use an acidic marinade to tenderize the meat. The brine should contain such acidic ingredients like citrus juice, vinegar, buttermilk, yogurt, wine or soda. Don’t marinade the steak for more than two hours because the texture may become very mushy.
  • Fruits like kiwi, Asian pears, pineapple and papaya contain enzymes, which can tenderize the tough meat. You should use two tablespoons of the kiwi (excellent choice) per one cup of marinade. Don’t marinade the steak for a very long time.
  • If you don’t want to go into any previously mentioned trouble, you can slow cook the meat on low
What is meat tenderizer made of?
The most common materials used for producing meat tenderizers are wood and metal (aluminum). However, you can also find cooking tools made from rubber, marble and plastic.
What is a jaccard meat tenderizer?
When to use meat tenderizer?
If you bought tough cuts of the meat, you would need to use a meat tenderizer. Pounding will help soften and tenderize the flesh. This tool is also very handy when you need to flatten, even or thin a slab of meat. After you work on the steak with a meat tenderizer, you will get a juicy and tender meal.
How to use meat tenderizer on chicken?

Have you decided to cook a chicken-fried steak? If you want your meal to be memorable, your chicken should be cooked well. The best way to make sure that the meat is cooked evenly is to tenderize it beforehand.

  1. You should use only boneless cuts (thighs or breasts) of chicken because they can be processed with a meat tenderizer.
  2. It is better to cover the chicken with a plastic wrap to stop small pieces from scattering over the kitchen table.
  3. You should use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken evenly. You will have to do it over the entire surface of the meat. You will need to go back and forth over the chicken until it’s as thin as you need it to be for a particular recipe.

  • Best Meat Tenderizer 2020
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Nicolas Tondeur

About Nicolas Tondeur

Every year Nicolas Tondeur organizes Ales Tales Festival in London. Nicolas developed an interest in cooking and craft beer testing since 16 year old. Although he was born in Belgium Nicolas has traveled to North America, Europe, and Middle Asia sharing his knowledge.

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