Best Meat & Poultry Tenderizers in 2022

Last update: November 19, 2022

Are all meat tenderizers the same?

There are a variety of meat tenderizers on the market, but they all essentially perform the same function. They all contain enzymes that break down the proteins in meat, making it more tender. However, the specific enzymes and the amount of time the meat is tenderized can vary. Some meat tenderizers also contain additional ingredients, like salt, that can further improve the flavor and texture of the meat.

Are meat tenderizers worth it?

A meat tenderizer is a kitchen tool used to physically break down the tough fibers in meat. This makes it easier to chew and digest. There are several types of meat tenderizers available, including manual and electric models. Some people swear by their meat tenderizers, while others find them to be unnecessary kitchen gadgets. If you regularly eat tough cuts of meat, a tenderizer may be worth the investment. However, if you only occasionally eat tough meat, you may be able to get by without one.

Can I make my own meat tenderizer?

You can make your own meat tenderizer by mixing together papaya, pineapple, or ginger with vinegar or lemon juice. These natural acids will break down the tough fibers in meat, making it more tender. You can also add spices like garlic, onion, or black pepper to your tenderizer to give it more flavor. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect taste for your next steak dinner!

Do meat tenderizers work on chicken?

A meat tenderizer is a device that breaks down the fibers in meat, making it more tender and easier to chew. There are many different types of meat tenderizers on the market, but do they actually work on chicken? The jury is still out on this one. Some people swear by meat tenderizers, while others find that they make little difference. If you're considering using a meat tenderizer on chicken, it's worth giving it a try to see if it makes a difference for you.


OXO SoftWorks Meat Tenderizer Review:


I already owned a little, weak meat tenderizer, but I wanted a "real" one. After reviewing a few, I decided to go with Oxo because I've been pleased with their goods in the past. I'm glad I did. After washing it, I took it out of the package and started to tenderize some turkey breasts. It was successful. passed through the dishwasher without any issues.I've included some pictures; the entire length of the device is roughly 10". In contrast to the seller's claim, it weighs 14 oz on an electronic scale, which seems to be a reasonable weight to pound. The part of the head that is pounded or tenderized is one inch square, and the side of the skull is one inch by 2.5 inches. The black, metal head is not plastic or teflon, but it may have a high-quality coating (epoxy?). When tenderizing, the head did not become clogged with meat crumbs.There is no wiggle between the handle and head and the chrome portion of the handle is thick and of great quality. The hand grip portion of the tenderizer is ribbed to help with thumb and index finger grasping while preventing slipping, and it feels similar to the silicone handles of high-quality pots and pans. Overall, the item appears to be well-made and sturdy. Although some people may not like the head contact surface's (1" x 1") size, I believe it works effectively.Please click the helpful button if the images and texts were helpful to you. Our will assist to reward you for your efforts on behalf of this wonderful community.



K BASIX Meat Tenderizer Mallet / Hammer / Pounder - Stainless Steel - Dual-Sided Tool for Tenderizing, Flattening & Pounding Venison, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Chicken, Steak & Turkey - Dishwasher Safe Review:


I cook a lot of chicken-based recipes, and the one thing I abhor is chewing on tough flesh for an eternity. My previous mallet, which had a detachable head, was something I owned for a very long period. Although it was cumbersome and the head would occasionally fall off, it did the job. On the other hand, this mallet is really ideal, and I adore the way it feels in my hands. It isn't overly hefty and doesn't slip. It has been quite successful at both tenderizing and flattening. I appreciate that it has a hook so I can just hang it up because my kitchen only has teeny-tiny drawers. And it's a big benefit because it can go in the dishwasher!



Meat Tenderizer, 48 Stainless Steel Sharp Needle Blade, Heavy Duty Cooking Tool for Tenderizing Beef, Turkey, Chicken, Steak, Veal, Pork, Fish, Christmas Cooking Set Review:


When I got my tenderizer, I tried it out on some chicken breasts that I was going to cook slowly in my slow cooker. I chuckled when I read the other review's comment that the cardboard box's spelling of "Meet Tenderizer" had been changed, as evidenced by my images. To tenderize the chicken breast, I made a cross-hatch pattern on both sides of it using the tenderizer, which operates simply but very effectively. I was pleased with how well it worked because the meat did become larger and flatten out. I cleaned the blades and inside channels of the appliance by soaking it in hot water and using tiny brushes, but I'll put it in the dishwasher just to be safe. Overall, a terrific piece of equipment that saved me a lot of hassle from having to pound the flesh with a meat hammer In my kitchen, it will now be regular equipment!



Meat Tenderizer with 48 Stainless Steel Ultra Sharp Needle Blades, Kitchen Cooking Tool Best For Tenderizing, BBQ, Marinade by JY COOKMENT Review:


I was extremely happy when my Meat Tenderizer showed up! I went right out and bought a beef blade roast! I was blown away by how smoothly it handled; the thicker portions of the meat can be easily cut through without the blades getting stuck. The marinade/seasonings were really simple to work with and produced such a soft, luscious roast! I adore it. The fact that dishwater seeps into the handle through the apertures of the blades when cleaning was one thing I didn't enjoy. Just remember to rinse thoroughly since I suppose it can't be helped. After washing, shake off all the bubbles and water. Shake out all the water after rinsing one more until all the bubbles are gone. Before restoring the blade cover, allow it to air dry for 24 hours. This will assist avoid the growth of any microorganisms from meat fragments as well as the rusting of the blades. You want to have it around for a long time since it's a terrific tool. I adore it.



Norpro Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Pounder Review:


I used the heavy meat tenderizer I had grown to love to make "tornadoes," a flank steak meal that is guaranteed to satisfy guests, but my wife of more than forty years departed five months ago to live with another man. To my disappointment, she took the meat tenderizer with her. I looked all around Bed, Bath, and Beyond for another one, but all they had were puny little hammers that only had cuboid projections to do the smashing. I searched Amazon for a heavy flat-bottomed instrument and discovered the Norpro tenderizer. It has a twenty-odd ounce weight, similar to a framing hammer. This one works great and feels strong. Five (5).



Spring Chef Meat Tenderizer, Heavy Duty Hammer Mallet Tool & Chicken Pounder, Black Review:


My wonderful hubby now does all the cooking because I have been bedridden. He didn't inform me that he had worked on the automobile with my more than 30-year-old meat mallet. When I told him that he needed to flatten some boneless chicken breasts, he didn't have it. He had to declare defeat at that point. I decided on a pretty cheap mallet as a replacement because we're becoming elderly. The quality of this Spring Chef meat mallet is outstanding. In addition to bringing the Spring Chef into the bedroom to demonstrate the stunning simplicity of the masterfully designed mallet, my husband always brags about how tiny HIS chicken breasts were. He is not permitted to remove it from the kitchen (grin).



Dishwasher Safe Meat Tenderizer, 304 Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Meat Hammer Softener for Tenderizing Steak, Beef, Chicken, Lamb and Minced Meat Review:


The balance between the handle and the tenderizer's head is quite off, and it feels clunky, which is the only reason I gave it a four. It would have been a five without a doubt if they had balanced the handle. I'm used to the lighter aluminum tenderizers, but I really don't like that they can't be put in the dishwasher since they're made of aluminum. Since you need to get a meat tenderizer as clean as possible before using it, you really need it to be able to do that without getting pitted and damaged. Therefore, I believe that this is a pretty good pick for that purpose provided you don't mind the balancing concerns and you want something that will hold up.Update: 5.99 at Walmart.



KitchenAid Textured Aluminum Meat Tenderizer, 9.5-Inch, Black Review:


Let me just say that this is a fantastic present that I purchased. It is substantial and not at all light. I bought it for a male, but even a guy can use it because it's nicely crafted and quite sleek. His precise words were "It's Awesome," and he's not the easiest person to win over. Therefore, I would want to congratulate Kitchen Aid for upholding your standards as I genuinely purchased the item because it was a Kitchen Aid product. I'll be purchasing one for myself as well because, for the price, you get what you paid for. If you're looking for a tenderizer, I recommend this one because it fits comfortably in your hands and can be used on any type of meat.



XSpecial Meat Tenderizer Tool | TRY IT NOW, Taste The Tenderness or REFUNDED - Kitchen Tenderizers 48 Blades Stainless Steel Needle | Best For Tenderizing, BBQ, Marinade & Flavor Maximizer Review:


This is what I bought to tenderize inexpensive steaks and chicken. It does an excellent job, though. The meat can absorb marinades more deeply and is made more uniformly thick for even cooking thanks to the tenderizer.But because of its shoddy construction, I'm only going to give it one star (please see the 8/28 update below). The tool's black handle section absorbs and collects water. To allow the water to trickle out and dry, it must be left positioned at an angle. When I was tenderizing a London broil on the third use, one of the blades completely bent and had to be removed. The blade was preventing the guide from moving down the plunger. Finally, some plastic from the tool began to flake and fracture, landing on the meat. I'm obviously really disappointed.Conclusion: If you only intend to use it a few times, it works fine.Update: On August 28, 2017, the vendor contacted me to offer help after I posted this review. A new tenderizer was supplied, and it is now operating considerably better. Unlike the other one I had, it doesn't fill up with water during washing and seems to move along the rails more smoothly. fantastic customer service To reflect the superior product, the rating has been revised to 4 out of 5.



Meat Tenderizer, 48 Stainless Steel Ultra Sharp Needle Blade Tenderizer for Tenderizing Steak, Beef with Cleaning Brush,Durable Baking Kitchen Accessories by Ccfoud Review:


Before purchasing the Ccfoud, I had previously purchased two Jaccard tenderizers for much than $20 each, which I believed performed pretty well. Don't let the feeling of lightness deceive you, though. I doubt I'll ever purchase another tenderizer; this one will be the only sort. It is easy to use because of the handle, but you must be careful not to use it too much because it tenderizes the meat so nicely.Cooking pork chops can be challenging, particularly if no pre-marinating is done. I prepared some chops on the stovetop (without pre-marinating), and although though they typically take 8 minutes to cook on each side, depending on the thickness, I put them in a pan, left the room, and returned 5 minutes later to find that they were ready to be turned. I cut into it after waiting another two minutes, and it wasn't only done; it also tasted a little overcooked. I questioned whether the work was done so thoroughly that the cooking time was also broken down. I said, "No way."I therefore grilled the remaining chops and several chicken thighs the next day. Once more, I discovered that I was overusing the tenderizer since the chops began to split in the middle after a few repeated revolutions (talk about center-cut pork chops, LOL). I was so amazed that I even used the tenderizer on bone-in thighs.Well, I received a response to my query. The chops looked done after approximately 7 minutes on one side of the grill, so I cut into one to check their doneness. My son remarked on how juicy they were. My son and I were standing in the kitchen eating a sliced-up chop like potato chips. Wow. Amazing. The cooking time is actually cut in half by this tenderizer. The chicken thighs were next placed on the grill. Thighs may be completed in in 20 minutes. I cooked them for five minutes on one side, then turned them over and cooked them for an additional five minutes. They took exactly ten minutes to finish cooking. also the taste. Oh my! I was able to cook an 8-pack of beef hot dogs because to the shorter cooking time, without even adding more charcoal.Last but not least, in my opinion, the reason the cooking time is shortened is that it penetrates the meat better by better breaking down the muscle, almost like making holes in the meat. At least, that is my thought. The days of patiently waiting for meat to cook, in my opinion, are over. This tenderizer is awesome, and it only cost $14. I believe I'll place an order for a backup!


Does Coca Cola tenderize meat?

Coca Cola does not tenderize meat. There is a popular myth that Coca Cola can be used as a marinade to tenderize meat, but this is not true. Coca Cola is too acidic to be used as a marinade, and will actually make meat tougher.

How do Chinese make chicken so tender?

The Chinese have a few different methods for making chicken tender. One popular method is to marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. This not only tenderizes the chicken, but also adds flavor. Another method is to use a hot water bath. The chicken is placed in hot water for a few minutes before cooking. This also helps to tenderize the chicken.

How do Chinese make their meat so tender?

There are a few different methods that Chinese people use to make their meat tender. One popular method is to marinate the meat in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Another method is to slow cook the meat in a broth or stew. This allows the meat to absorb all of the flavors and become very tender.

How long should you leave meat tenderizer on?

When using meat tenderizer, it is important to follow the package directions. Most meat tenderizers will recommend that the powder be mixed with water to form a paste. This paste should then be rubbed onto the surface of the meat. The amount of time that the paste should be left on the meat will depend on the size and thickness of the meat. For thin cuts of meat, the paste should be left on for 30 minutes. For thick cuts of meat, the paste should be left on for 1-2 hours.

Is apple cider vinegar a good meat tenderizer?

Apple cider vinegar is a good meat tenderizer because it contains acetic acid. Acetic acid breaks down the tough muscle fibers in meat, making it more tender.

Is meat tenderizer just baking soda?

There are a lot of different ways to tenderize meat, but one popular method is to use meat tenderizer. Meat tenderizer is basically just a powder that you can add to your meat before cooking it. This powder contains enzymes that help break down the proteins in the meat, making it more tender. Baking soda can also be used to tenderize meat, but it works in a different way. Baking soda is a chemical compound that helps break down the proteins in the meat, making it more tender. However, baking soda can also make the meat more tough if it