Imagine sitting down to enjoy some mouth-watering steak, only for the experience to be cut short because the meat is too tough to chew. It is every meat lover's nightmare. Although you might brush it off and eat the meat anyway, the problem can be easily solved by using an electric meat tenderizer.
What Makes Meat So Tough?
To learn how to tenderize meat, you must first understand why it is tough in the first place. In general, a few essential factors contribute to meat becoming naturally tough, the first of which is age. Age causes flesh to stiffen up.
An older animal's meat will be tougher than a younger animal's. It is why the best pieces of meat are always from younger animals, with veal and lamb being particularly praised for their flavor and tenderness.
Meat can also be toughened by exercising. Muscles develop firmer when they are utilized more. Once an animal has been slain, cuts from high-activity areas, such as the legs and diaphragm, are particularly tough compared to the muscles along the back, which are rarely used.
Finally, no matter how tender a piece of meat is, it can be ruined by overcooking. It is because the proteins within flesh become stiffer when cooked. Therefore the longer a piece of meat is cooked, the tougher it becomes.
Longer cooking removes moisture from the meat's interior, causing it to dry out if not kept moist during the cooking process. One of the reasons most experienced cooks prefer rarer meat to well-done steak is this.
What is Meat Tenderizing?
Meat tenderizing refers to breaking down tough fibers in the meat to make it tastier and easy to chew. Granted, you can tenderize it in many ways, such as physically using a mallet, slow cooking, or using seasoning containing softening enzymes.
But, all these tools of tenderizing meat have their shortcomings. For instance, pounding it using a mallet is tiring and may make it mushy if done incorrectly. Luckily, an electric meat tenderizer saves time and energy. You get to process large cuts of meat in minutes, which is ideal for a commercial kitchen, restaurant, butchery, and steak house.
Top 5 Best Electric Meat Tenderizer In 2021
Electric meat tenderizers are lifesavers and have revolutionized the cooking industry. You can now transform tough game cuts into organic meat in minutes with a click of a button. However, a commercial kitchen, steak house, and restaurant appreciate that processing large parts of meat is not easy.
An electric tenderizer will be your ideal companion when throwing a party or hosting friends. Your guests will enjoy juicy and tender meat cuts while you save some time and energy.
We know that getting an electric meat tenderizer is not easy, and that's why we scoured the internet to catch a glimpse of the best electrical meat tenderizer available for your home or restaurant needs. So let's get to it.
1. LEM 2-in-1 Jerky Slicer And Tenderizer Attachment
- Slice and tenderize meat up to 1-1/4" thick with your grinder; Easy off top; Includes a slicer shaft and a tenderizer shaft
- Makes 14 perfect jerky strips sliced and ready for the oven or dehydrator in seconds; Strips of jerky will be 1/4" wide
- Body made of durable powder painted aluminum; No tools or assembly required; Chute Dimensions: 1-1/4" x 4-1/2" x 8"; Easily disassembles for...
- Will only attach to LEM Big Bite Stainless Steel Grinders, model #'s 777, 779, 780, 781, & 782
- Will also attach to LEM older grinders #'s 535, 536, 538, 538A & 540
If you are looking to tenderize thick cuts of meat, a Jerky tenderizer should be your first choice. The machine can tenderize meat of a thickness range of 1-1/4". It comes with an easy-off top that reveals a slicer shaft and a tenderizer shaft.
The meat tenderizer machine makes 14 perfect Jerky strips 1/4 wide, excellent for your guests or customers. An electric meat tenderizer is quite an investment and should be worth every penny. A Jerky slicer and tenderizer have a body made of durable powder-painted aluminum that is easy to assemble and requires no tools.
When you finish using your tenderizer machine, you can easily disassemble and clean it, ready for subsequent use. If you are a pork chops lover, this product will make a great choice. The grinder power tenderizes the toughest cuts of meat, and the slicer makes them ready for the oven in minutes.
A Jerky meat tenderizer can attach to new LEM grinder model numbers 777,779.780,781 and 782. If you have the old model, you need not worry because it can also link to model numbers 535,536,538A and 540.
The blades are made of stainless steel to ensure that your meat meets the highest hygiene standards. Jerky meat tenderizer will give you the perfect sized strips ready for the oven or dehydrator for those who like hunting.
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2. American Eagle Meat Tenderizer
- Easily Tenderize Tough Meat Cuts Up To 1 Inch Thick!
- 64 Heavy Duty Knives Mounted On Two Stainless Steel Shafts
- Dual Combs Prevent Meat From Becoming Stuck In Knives
- Standard 12 Hub Design, Verified To Work With AE-G12N and AE-G22N Meat Grinders
- Heavy Duty, Durable High Polished Stainless Steel Construction
If you are looking for a strong food processor, the American Eagle meat tenderizer will make an excellent choice. It can tenderize thick cuts of meat of up to 1 inch. It comes with 64 heavy-duty knives mounted on two stainless steel shafts.
To ease feeding meat into the machine, it comes with dual combs, which prevent the meat from being stuck on the knives. The meat tenderizer also comes with a standard 12 hub design, verified to work with AE-G12N and AE-G22N grinders.
The American Eagle meat tenderizer is heavy-duty, durable, and built with highly polished stainless steel to protect your investment. If your kitchen is relatively small, there is no need to worry because the machine is compact, making it ideal for an open commercial kitchen or a home countertop.
American Eagle electric meat tenderizer is great for skirt steaks, boneless chuck steak, venison, round steak, and flank steak. It tenderizes tough cuts of meat and makes them ready for the oven in minutes. The tenderizer easily dissembles, which makes it easy to service and clean. It comes with dual rotating knives that knit the meat on both sides, making it perfect for marinades and stir-fries.
The chute measures 1.1 inches by 7 inches which is large enough to accommodate extra-large cuts of meat. It is also verified to work with American Eagle grinders and planetary mixers.
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3. Libai Commercial Meat Tenderizer
- Food Grade Material---The electric heavy duty meat tenderize machine was made of high-quality stainless steel which attractive, easy to...
- Tenderize Capacity---With 100% gear driven sealed transmission. Dual combs help tenderize meat quickly. 350W power ,180 pounds of meat can...
- Perfect Tenderize---Put the beef slices in and touch the switch,put meat on both sides and wait for the machin finish work.The tenderize...
- Wide Use---Suitable for restaurants, cafeterias, family gatherings, parties, etc. This is the best choice for your kitchen to handle beef...
- Quality&Service--We are confident the quality of our product is 100% qualify. If there are any question, feel free to contact us. We will...
The Libai commercial meat tenderizer is an ideal choice for those looking for a robust meat tenderizer for their homes. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel that is durable and attractive. For those looking for a quick and safe way of tenderizing their meat, the machine would make a great choice because the blade is enclosed with no sharp corners. It's 100% gear driven, and the dual-comb ensures quick meat feeding while preventing it from getting stuck.
The libai commercial meat tenderizer has 350 watts power and can grind up to 180 pounds of meat per hour. This feature makes the product ideal for commercial kitchens, restaurants, butchers, hunters, meat enthusiasts, and steak houses. It knits meat on both sides, making it suitable for marinades, tough cuts of meat, game meat, beef, and chicken breasts.
Whether you have a party or having a family gathering and are looking for a great meat tenderizer, you can't go wrong with The Libai commercial meat tenderizer. Also, café and restaurant owners find this machine helpful and a quick way of tenderizing their meat. For the beef lovers, you can fix quick meatballs and beef steaks for your guests or family. The Libia company is confident in its products, and its customer service team is always ready to answer your questions.
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4. Yooyist Commercial Meat Tenderizer
- Powerful 350W motor with standard 12 hub design, 100% gear driven sealed transmission.
- 64 heavy duty knives mounted on two stainless steel shafts, dual combs help feed meat quickly.
- Attractive, easy to clean, heavy duty, durable high polished stainless steel construction.
- Knits meat on both sides, perfect for marinade, stir fry, tough game meat,beef or chicken breast.
- Providing high quality products and excellent service has always been our top priority. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us...
Tenderizing meat for a restaurant requires a powerful electric meat tenderizer. A Yooyist commercial meat tenderizer has a powerful 350 W motor with a standard 12 hub design and 100% gear down sealed transmission. It comes with 64 heavy-duty knives mounted on two stainless steel shafts. To make it easy to use, the machine comes with a dual-comb which helps to feed the meat quickly while preventing it from sticking on the knives and blocking the machine.
When you finish with your meat tenderizer, you can easily clean it, ready for subsequent use. It's durable and made from highly polished stainless steel. The machine is easy to operate and knits meat on both sides. It tenderizes tough meat cuts in seconds, making them ideal for marinades, tough game meat, chicken breasts, and stir-fry.
If you operate a steak house butchery or restaurant, a Yooyist commercial meat tenderizer is a must-have. The machine is elegant and can make a perfect accessory for your open kitchen countertop. If you have any queries, complaints, or compliments, the company's customer service team is at your beck and call.
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5. Newtry Commercial Electric Meat Tenderizer
- [High quality]: Made of high-quality stainless steel, strictly according to the hygiene standard, long service lifeand humanized design,...
- [Important parameter]: Max cutting width: 7inches (175mm); Blades: 37x2 layers; Power: 0.3KW; N.W: 24.5KG.
- [Double layers stainless steel blade]: More efficient, full closed gear rotation of tender meat device, low noise. And lengthened inlet and...
- [Forward and reverse switch]: User friendly design, in case of blockage, just press the reverse switch for a few seconds, and the meat will...
- [Overload protection switch]: If the load of the machine is too large, this setting will automatically cut off the current, and make the...
If you are looking for a sound high-power electric tenderizer, the Newtry commercial meat tenderizer should be on top of your list. It's built of high-quality stainless steel, which is durable and meets the highest hygiene standards. The machine has a double layer of stainless-steel blades that rotate to tenderize tough cuts of meat without producing annoying noises.
Newtry meat tenderizer makes your food taste even and preserves its original flavor. It's perfect for pork chops, frozen meat, beef, and mutton. For those operating commercial kitchens, restaurants, steak houses, or throwing parties, the machine will come in handy. It has a powerful motor to tenderize large chunks of meat and operate for up to six hours.
In case meat particles stick on the blades, there is no cause for alarm. The tenderizing machine has a forward and reverse switch, which is helpful if the machine blocks. It will unblock when you press the reverse switch for a few seconds. When you have been using your meat tenderizer for a few seconds, you may not notice when you overload it. When this happens, the tenderizer's overload switch will automatically cut off the current supply.
The tenderizer is an excellent choice for restaurant owners, meat shops, hotels, and steak houses.
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Conclusion
Whether you are a meat lover, restaurant owner, or steak house, having a meat tenderizer will make your life a little smoother and tastier. Order any meat tenderizer machine listed here that will suit your home kitchen or restaurant, saving you time and energy. This way, your guest, friends, or family will have well-cooked, tasty meat on the table within minutes. So, stop worrying about tough meat and focus on cooking mouth-watering meals instead.
What are Natural Meat Tenderizers?
1. Salt
Some of the natural items include salt and baking soda, an alkaline cousin, breaks down proteins in beef. One hour before cooking, a thick coating of kosher salt, sea salt, or baking soda will draw water from the meat, allowing some of the salt or soda to sink into the beef. As a result, it improves the texture of the meat. Before cooking, drain the water and thoroughly rinse the meat.
Salt may not be a great natural meat tenderizer for you if you have high blood pressure or other heart disease risk factors. These illnesses and risk factors can be exacerbated by salt. Healthy persons should consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, or 1,500 mg if they have high blood pressure.
2. Acids
Acids are a workhorse in the kitchen. These items may be found in almost all human diets and are used for various cooking purposes. For example, acids soften stiff muscle while also giving meat more flavor when used to tenderize steak and other types of beef.
Furthermore, delicious acids include everything from plain vinegar to citrus and tomato liquids. Tenderize with lemon, lime, orange juice, balsamic, apple cider, or simply white vinegar. Tomato-based sauces are also acidic, which is why they're used in so many barbecue sauces.
3. Brew a Beverage
Tenderizers and marinades, wine and beer, have a one-two punch. Both items include acids as well as tannins, a natural tenderizer. Tea and coffee are two other items that work as tenderizers.
Tannins are products found in tea, while natural acids are products found in coffee. So if you're going to use tea or coffee as a tenderizer, brew it strong and let it cool before marinating the beef for up to 24 hours.
4. Fruit Magic
Beef can be tenderized by the enzymes found in fruits and roots. For example, papaya contains papain, an enzyme used in commercial meat tenderizers. As a food additive, papain is generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The enzyme parts, like acids and salt, break down tough muscle fibers.
Bromelain is an enzyme that softens meat by dissolving collagen and elastin. When a fresh ginger root is ground and sprinkled over beef, it acts as a tenderizer and a taste enhancer. Ginger has a proteolytic enzyme, which breaks down proteins in meat.
Meat tenderizers from parts of plants work well on thin pieces of meat. Mash the fruit pulp, sprinkle it over the meat, or top it with a few fruit slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Meat Tenderizer is Best?
The best overall meat tenderizer from our review is the Newtry commercial meat tenderizer. This product is built from high-quality stainless steel, making it durable and designed to meet the highest hygiene standards.
Newtry commercial tenderizers' efficiency produces low noise and can be used to soften big chunks of meat. It's also user-friendly and has a reverse switch that prevents blocking and an overload switch that cuts the power supply in case of any overload.
2. What is The Best Way to Tenderize Meat?
The best way to soften meat is by using manual or electric meat tenderizers. A manual tenderizer is best for small pieces of meat, and because of its size, it's ideal for home use. However, if you are tenderizing large cuts of meat for restaurants or steak houses, get electric meat tenderizers because they are durable and can handle thick cuts. In addition, they are easy to clean, save time, and provide value for money.
3. What Are the Ways To Tenderize Meat?
There are different ways to soften the meat, but for today, we will view these;
- Physical
You physically make your meat soft by hitting it manually with a mallet or using a meat tenderizing machine. The machine can either be manual or electrical. Most manual meat softening devices are easy to operate, and you can place them on a kitchen countertop. On the other hand, electric tenderizing machines are heavy-duty, durable, and suitable for commercial kitchens or parties.
- Braising
Braising is a good way of making your meat tender while retaining its original flavor. It involves sautéing followed by slow cooking in liquid to break collagen into gelatin, making the food tender. Braising can work well on tough chicken breasts, beef steaks, turkey, mutton, and game meat.
- Marinating
Marinating does not only tenderize tough meat but also adds flavor. Marinating in acidic ingredients such as lemon juice or vinegar breaks down tough collagen in meat, making it tender. You can marinate beef steaks, chicken breasts, mutton, turkey, and pork chops. For best results, marinate your meat for up to 30 minutes.
- Baking Soda
Chinese restaurants use baking soda to give stir-fries a velvety texture. This approach works well with thinly sliced meat, seafood, or fowl used in stir-fries or fajitas. Using sharp blades, thinly slice the meat across the grain. It is critical! The meat will get softer because you're removing the long muscular fibers by slicing.
Then, using your hands, massage the baking soda into the meat. For each pound of beef, use around a teaspoon of baking soda. Allow for a 20-minute rest period before properly rinsing the meat. Place the meat or poultry strips between layers of paper towels and press firmly to absorb all moisture. Cook according to your preferences.
- Salt
This method is perfect for thick steaks and chops on the barbecue. The salt draws water from the flesh, and some of the salt is absorbed as a result. In addition, salt causes the muscular fibers to relax, making the meat softer.
In addition, the salty protein cells tend to hold fat, making the meat juicier. To employ this method, salt the meat or poultry by coating it rather than sprinkling it. Allow yourself 20-60 minutes of resting time.
Rinse the meat and dry it completely using paper towels. Grill until the desired level of doneness is achieved. Add crushed garlic to the salt to add more flavor to the food. The salt will absorb the garlic as it enters the muscle fibers.
- Powdered Meat Tenderizers
Some cooks believe that all they have to do is sprinkle the powder on the surface of the meat, and they're done. However, meat tenderizers must be able to penetrate the meat to work. If it only lies on the surface, it will become "mushy," but the inside of the cut will remain tough.
To achieve excellent results, pierce the steak, chop, or fillet all over with a sharp knife or fork, then coat with the powder on that side. Pour some liquid on top to assist the powder in penetrating the meat.
Water can be used, but fruit juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, teriyaki, vinegar, or wine can be used to add flavor to the food. Next, turn the steak over and continue the process on the opposite side once you've finished treating one side.
4. What Is Meat Tenderizer Spice?
Meat tenderizer spice is a seasoning powder or spice containing natural enzymes such as papaya and bromelain. The enzymes are naturally extracted from pineapples and pawpaw. When you sprinkle the spice on tough cuts of meat, the enzymes break down tough meat fibers making it tender.
