There is nothing worse than going to take a big bite of steak and ending up chewing for 10 minutes. If you're going to spend the time to make a nice dinner, then it better be worth your time.
Not everyone has the luxury of being able to afford the finest cuts of meat at the butcher each week. But not to worry; you can trick dinner guests into thinking you splurged on the good stuff with these 10 simple techniques.
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1. Slow roast
Everyone loves to throw together a slow roast because it basically does all the work for you. Set it and forget it, as they say. Cooking meat at a low temperature for the majority of the day will vastly improve the texture and flavor while breaking down collagen and fibers.
Everyone loves to throw together a slow roast because it basically does all the work for you. Set it and forget it, as they say. Cooking meat at a low temperature for the majority of the day will vastly improve the texture and flavor while breaking down collagen and fibers.
2. Score meat
By adding some shallow cuts to the surface of meat, you'll allow it to absorb the marinade faster while breaking down resilient proteins. After the meat is cooked to perfection, pieces will barley be able to stay on the fork.
By adding some shallow cuts to the surface of meat, you'll allow it to absorb the marinade faster while breaking down resilient proteins. After the meat is cooked to perfection, pieces will barley be able to stay on the fork.
3. Salt
Heavily salting a tough piece of meat for an hour or so before cooking will break down the muscles and drastically tenderize the meat. After the salt has worked its magic, rinse the meat and pat dry before pan searing.
Heavily salting a tough piece of meat for an hour or so before cooking will break down the muscles and drastically tenderize the meat. After the salt has worked its magic, rinse the meat and pat dry before pan searing.
4. Add some acidity
Adding something acidic such as citrus, vinegar or wine to the marinade will help soften muscle fibers. Plus, they'll add some flavorful elements. All you need to do is set aside about an hour to soak the meat in the acidic marinade and all of the flavors will be released once you get cooking.
Adding something acidic such as citrus, vinegar or wine to the marinade will help soften muscle fibers. Plus, they'll add some flavorful elements. All you need to do is set aside about an hour to soak the meat in the acidic marinade and all of the flavors will be released once you get cooking.
5. Splurge on a good steak knife
A sharp and durable steak knife makes all the differce when slicing a cut of meat. A clean, thin slice against the grain will soften the meat and give you perfectly sized mouthwatering bites.
A sharp and durable steak knife makes all the differce when slicing a cut of meat. A clean, thin slice against the grain will soften the meat and give you perfectly sized mouthwatering bites.
6. Rest your meat
Despite how hungry you are, letting meat rest is key to a tender meal. Allow a steak to rest five minutes for every inch of thickness and 10 minutes per pound for larger roasts. Resting enables juices to settle in the meat rather than dripping out onto the plate, which can leave a dry and tough piece of protein.
Despite how hungry you are, letting meat rest is key to a tender meal. Allow a steak to rest five minutes for every inch of thickness and 10 minutes per pound for larger roasts. Resting enables juices to settle in the meat rather than dripping out onto the plate, which can leave a dry and tough piece of protein.
7. Use a meat thermometer
It's vital to find the ideal balance when cooking meat. Overcooking can dry out meat whereas undercooking can lead to a chewy, gristly bite. Keep a meat thermometer nearby to check the internal temperature so you know when it's cooked long enough.
It's vital to find the ideal balance when cooking meat. Overcooking can dry out meat whereas undercooking can lead to a chewy, gristly bite. Keep a meat thermometer nearby to check the internal temperature so you know when it's cooked long enough.
8. Pound meat with a mallet
Physically pounding meat will help break down the muscles and give you a more tender steak. Don't have a meat mallet? Cover the cut of meat with a piece of saran wrap and use a heavy rolling pin or wine bottle.
Physically pounding meat will help break down the muscles and give you a more tender steak. Don't have a meat mallet? Cover the cut of meat with a piece of saran wrap and use a heavy rolling pin or wine bottle.
9. Use your hands
Working the marinade and seasonings in with your hands can help tenderize meat. This also aids the marinade in reaching every inch of the steak for a bold taste.
Working the marinade and seasonings in with your hands can help tenderize meat. This also aids the marinade in reaching every inch of the steak for a bold taste.
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10. Use a baking soda solution
Mix together baking soda and water to create a solution that raises the pH level on the meat's surface. By soaking meat in the mixture for about 15 or 20 mintues, the meat will stay moist while cooking.
Mix together baking soda and water to create a solution that raises the pH level on the meat's surface. By soaking meat in the mixture for about 15 or 20 mintues, the meat will stay moist while cooking.