10 Best Meat Tenderizers
Experience: 10 yearsRavi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.
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A juicy and thick steak from the best restaurant in town is always delicious. But if you are looking to meet the same level of softness and taste right at home, you would need a meat tenderizer.
A meat tenderizer will help you prepare non-vegetarian dishes bursting with flavor while being soft and tender. This mechanical tool is used to beat all sorts of meat to make them more porous, soft, and flatter. These tools can come in the form of a knife, roller, hammer, etc.
If you are interested to up your meat cooking skills, do not miss these best 10 meat tenderizers available.
In This Article
10 Best Meat Tenderizers
1. KitchenAid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer
The KitchenAid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer is designed to be used on a variety of meats. Its one side has spikes to break fibers, rip the connective tissue, and make the meat softer and tender. Its other side is flat and is used to pound the meat so that it takes only a little time to be cooked and acquire the rich flavors.
This tenderizer is made with solid aluminum. It is lightweight and durable. Besides, its ergonomic handle has a hole so that you can conveniently hang it anywhere in the kitchen. It is quick and easy to clean. It can additionally be used to crack nuts and smash peppercorns and shellfish.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 1.97 x 3.35 x 9.45 inches
- Weight: 10.4 ounces
- Material: Aluminium
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Easy replacement
- Ergonomic handle design
- Dishwasher-safe
None
2. Checkered Chef Meat Tenderizer
The Checkered Chef Meat Tenderizer has a sturdy aluminum construction that offers you soft and tenderized meat. This unbreakable tenderizing tool is lightweight and can be easily lifted without causing any strain. Its flat side is used for flattening while the textured side gives you juicy and tender meat. The handle of this tool is covered with soft rubber that offers a comfortable and slip-free grip. Besides, it is dishwasher-safe and does not cause any discoloration after washing. Its non-stick coating protects the aluminum from becoming black or spotty.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 10.79 x 2.99 x 2.09 inches
- Weight: 9.3 ounces
- Material: Aluminium
- Soft rubber handle
- Lightweight
- Slip-free grip
- Dishwasher-safe
- Non-stick coating
- Non-stick coating may chip off
3. Aliglow Meat Tenderizer
The Aliglow Meat Tenderizer is equipped with an ergonomic design that lets the mallet perform the task in no time. It also stays easy on your arm and hand. Apart from tenderizing meat, it can also be used for crushing ice, nuts, shellfish, and crabs. Its double textured sides allow you to tenderize cuts of meat with ease while plastic handles provide easy gripping.
Besides, it comes with textured sides and does not have any flat or smooth side. It is advised to wash the tool with hands to enhance its longevity.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 3.4 x 2 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Material: Zinc alloy
- Ergonomic design
- Multifunctional
- Easy storage
- Lightweight
- Easy to grip
- Could be too small for some
4. K BASIX Meat Tenderizer Mallet
The K BASIX Meat Tenderizer Mallet comes with a double-sided ability. Its flat side can be used for pounding and flattening while the textured side is meant for tenderizing and crushing hard substances. Its ergonomic design allows you to use the device comfortably. Its rubber grip handle provides excellent gripping without any slippage. This strong and sturdy tenderizer is made with rust-free stainless steel. Its ergonomic handle has a hole that lets you easily hang it anywhere in the kitchen. The device is easy to be cleaned and sterilized. It can be washed with hands or even in a dishwasher.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 10.63 x 1.97 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: 13.1 ounces
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher-safe
- Durable
- Easy to store
- Double-sided
- Ergonomic design
- Non-slip handle
None
5. KEISSCO Reversible Meat Tenderizer and Pounder
The Keissco Reversible Meat Tenderizer and Pounder is made with solid chrome plated zinc. It is lightweight, durable, nonporous, well-balanced, and safe for foods. Its flat side can be used for flattening chicken, cookies, nuts, candies, etc. Its textured side is suitable for tenderizing.
Its ergonomic handle provides comfortable and slip-free gripping for tenderizing various items like steak, beef, poultry, and more. Besides, its turn disk can easily be changed by holding the device steadily and attaching the handle to the disk. It is safe to be washed in a dishwasher (just ensure the plastic gasket is removed before putting it in a dishwasher).
Key Features
- Dimensions: 3.31 x 3.31 x 3.94 inches
- Weight: 1.97 pounds
- Material: Chrome-plated zinc
- Ergonomic design
- Dishwasher-safe
- Durable
- The disk needs a change every time
6. OXO Good Grips Meat Tenderizer
The OXO Good Grips Meat Tenderizer is a twin-sided tool that lets you flatten and tenderize the meat to taste juicy and soft. Its flat side is used to flatten or pound the meat, while its textured side is used for tenderizing and cutting the meat.
It is made of solid and durable aluminum. Its handle is equipped with cushioning to provide you comfort. The handle is slip-free.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 9 x 2.38 x 1.88 inches
- Weight: 9.9 ounces
- Material: Aluminum
- Durable
- Non-slip handle
- Sturdy design
- Has a hole for hanging
- Coating could chip off
7. Spring Chef Meat Tenderizer
The Spring Chef Meat Tenderizer will work wonderfully to reduce the cooking time while offering you juicy, soft, and tenderized meat flooded with flavors. It is made with solid and heavy-duty aluminum that is lightweight. It does not stress your arm while you work with it. Its smooth or flat side can be used for pounding and flattening meat and poultry. Its textured side is used for tenderizing and cutting the meat.
The tenderizer can also be used for crushing or smashing nuts, candies, frozen vegetables, and breaking ice. It has a chrome plating added to an aluminum construction that promotes healthy cooking. It can be easily washed in a dishwasher.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 11.4 x 3.3 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 10.4 ounces
- Material: Aluminum
- Non-slip handle
- Durable
- Dishwasher-safe
- Multipurpose
- Reduces cooking time by50%
- Has a hole for hanging
None
8. Cookment Meat Tenderizer
The Cookment Meat Tenderizer is equipped with 48 super sharp blades that work perfectly to break the connective tissues of the meat and make it soft and tender. Its ergonomic design is fitted with a comfortable and non-slip handle that puts pressure on the meat and cuts it thoroughly.
Its tiny channels allow you to properly marinate the meat so that all the flavors get completely absorbed. Besides, it lets heat penetrate the meat to reduce the cooking time. The tool is easy to clean. Simply soak it in warm water for a couple of minutes before washing it.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.3 x 5.9 inches
- Weight: 10.4 ounces
- Material: Stainless steel blades and ABS handle
- Ergonomic design
- Non-slip handle
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Reduces cooking time
- Not dishwasher-safe
9. NEW OXO Good Grips Meat Tenderizer
The NEW OXO Good Grips Meat Tenderizer is a 2-in-1 tool that lets you pound and tenderize the meat and poultry conveniently. It also allows the meat to be cooked in less time with optimum flavor. Its textured side has pyramid-shaped teeth that work perfectly to tenderize the meat.
The smooth side increases the surface area to flatten the meat quickly. Its weight and angle offer proper flattening without causing any stress on the arm. Its handle is slip-free, and you can even use it with wet hands. This dishwasher-safe device can be easily sanitized. It is made with BPA-free, ABS plastic of food-grade quality.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 2.5 x 2 inches
- Weight: 13.6 ounces
- Material: BPA-free impact-resistant ABS plastic
- Dishwasher-safe
- BPA-free material
- Slip-free handle
- Comfortable grip
- Could be small for some
10. AOMGD 2 Pack Meat Tenderizers
The AOMGD 2 Pack Meat Tenderizers are made with stainless steel. They keep the appearance and shape of the meat intact while you tenderize it. They reduce cooking time by up to 40%. They are equipped with ultra-sharp teeth or blades thatcut through any rigid surface. These are an ideal choice for pork, beef, fowl, veal, etc. They are compact and lightweight.
They are comfortable to hold and easy to use without tiring your hands or wrists. They also are easy to clean. Just soak themin warm, soapy water and wash with the help of a brush.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: 11.4 ounces
- Material: ABS + Stainless steel needles
- Durable
- Comfortable grip
- Lightweight
- Suits any kind of meat
- Not dishwasher-safe
These are the 10 best meat tenderizers you can check. In the following section, we have listed what you need to consider before buying one.
What To Consider Before Buying The Best Meat Tenderizer
- Design: A meat tenderizer consists of a head and a handle. Look for the tenderizer that has a sturdy yet comfortable-to-hold handle. It should not slip even if your hands are wet.
A handle with a rubber covering makes a smart choice. The head, on the other side, should be a little heavy to break the connective tissues of the meat thoroughly. Its textured side should have sharp enough blades to cut through the meat smoothly. Also ensure the tenderizer is lighter for easy use.
- Safety: Meat tenderizers are equipped with sharp blades or needles. Therefore, safety and ease of use have to be kept in mind. Choose a tenderizer that comes with a lock. The lock lets you choose the closing and opening mechanism of the handle of the tenderizer. Besides, many textured or needle-based tenderizers today come with a guard that helps secure their sharp needles. This safety guard is a cap that fits over the blades to prevent any accident.
- Cleaning: Some meat tenderizers are dishwasher-safe while some are to be washed with hands. You can choose anyone based on your choice.
How Does A Meat Tenderizer Work?
Meat tenderizers are specially designed to smash or pound the meat to ensure it is cooked easily and stays soft to eat.
An ideal meat tenderizer should have a heavy head to easily pound the meat and smash it. To tenderize the meat, you first need to put a piece of meat on a slab or a chopping board. Use the mallet’s textured side that consists of needles or blades to make as many holes as you need.
If you decide to use the flat or smooth side of the tenderizer, you will have to hit the meat many times till you get the desired shape. But using the textured side makes the process easier. After the meat has been beaten up or punches with holes, it is ready to be put on a grill or stove. The heat will penetrate through the holes and ensures the meat cooks thoroughly. Besides, the spices added to the meat will allow the flavors to spread evenly on the inside of the meat.
Benefits Of Using The Best Meat Tenderizer
- Reduces cooking time
- Offers even and thorough cooking
- Lets the flavor of spices go entirely inside the meat
- Makes meat juicer and softer
- Can also be used to crack nuts, candies, crush ice, and smash shellfish
Conclusion
Meat tenderizers provide an easy way to cook the meat of desired tenderness in very little time. These tenderizers let you either dig holes, draw cuts, or break the connective tissue of the meat to let it cook quickly and evenly with all the rich flavors. We believe this article has helped you decide which meat tenderized you would want to pick. Make your purchase today.
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