Post Preview
Turning a tough cut of meat into something extravagantly soft is every cook’s dream. Tenderized meat is easier to chew and can absorb marinades and seasonings better.
Tender cuts of meat usually benefit from tenderizing, but the process varies: Mechanical tenderizers physically break down muscle fibers, while chemical powders and marinades use enzymes to soften proteins.
Mallet Style
Tenderizing is one of the best ways to transform a cheaper cut into a mouth-melting steak. Using a meat tenderizer or marinating breaks up long muscle fibers and softens the collagen of tough connective tissues, making the meat much more tender to chew.
The best mallet-style tenderizers pound the protein gently while keeping the surface smooth to prevent overcooking certain areas of the meat and undercooking others. They also have a comfortable handle and grippy texture to prevent slippage in wet hands.
Some models have a smooth side for flattening, while others have a toothed or needle-like side that can puncture and tenderize the meat. While these can effectively break down tough connective tissue, they may not be the best option for flattening proteins like chicken breasts. A reversible model is the best tenderizer for both tasks, with a smooth side for flattening and a needle-like side with 48 tiny blades to pierce and break down tough connective tissue while leaving the rest of the surface smooth for absorbing flavors and marinades.
Hand-Pressed Style
If you’re looking for a meat tenderizer that’s easier to use and safer, opt for the hand-pressed style. These tools resemble hammers and feature two surfaces—a smooth one for pounding and a toothed or spiked one to lightly pierce the protein, lodging holes that help the marinade penetrate more fully.
These models require less force to operate, making them ideal for restaurants and other establishments that prepare higher volumes of leaner cuts of protein. They’re also cheaper than a needle or blade model but need help to flatten the protein as effectively.
Look for a model with 48 tiny stainless steel blades for the best results. They cut into the tough connective tissue, leaving a tender piece of meat that cooks faster and has a more delicious flavor. Plus, it’s easy to clean and only takes up a little space in a drawer or cabinet. The grip is ergonomic and safe, too. It feels sturdy and comfortable, even when loaded with meat.
Paddle Style
This reversible meat tenderizer has wide surfaces that are flat for pounding and grooved for tenderizing. It’s attractive to the eye, lightweight, and easy to clean. It is also a kitchen mallet that can crack open crab, lobster, or shellfish shells and crush nuts, garlic, and ice cubes.
It’s best for medium-sized cuts of meat, such as a London broil or sirloin. It could over-tenderize smaller amounts, so be careful to use it in a linear motion across the surface of the meat.
It’s also an excellent choice for people with larger frames and healthy wrists because it’s easier to control than a mallet-style tenderizer. It is not recommended for smaller frames or those with fragile wrists, as it requires significant manual force to use effectively. This tenderizer also isn’t recommended for use on boneless cuts of meat, as it could puncture the meat and cause bleeding. It’s also more expensive than some of the other options.
Blade Style
This blade-style tenderizer pierces meat rather than crushing it to break down tough connective tissue. This creates small channels that can help meat absorb marinades more easily. Unlike mallet-style tenderizers, which can also crush items like crackers or ice, this type is best used on steak and other lean cuts of beef.
This model has a sturdy handle with a grippy texture that feels comfortable and secure in your palm. The reversible head has a flat side for flattening and one with spikes for lightly piercing the surface, making this more versatile than other models we tested.
The stainless steel design is durable and dishwasher safe, but it can be disassembled for thorough cleaning. This model also has a toggle lock that keeps the blades protected and out of reach while in storage. The manufacturer claims this tool can cut cooking time by 40% and helps produce juicy, flavorful meals. It is also less expensive than most other blade-style tenderizers we tested.
