The tenderness of the meat also depends on the quality of the cut and the type of animal. However, by following these techniques, you will be on the right track to obtaining more tender and juicy meat.
- Choose suitable cuts: Choose more tender cuts of meat, such as filet mignon, sirloin, rump, and sirloin. These cuts tend to be naturally more tender.
- Use softening techniques: Use techniques such as marinating, which consists of leaving the meat to soak in a flavored liquid for a few hours or overnight. You can use acidic ingredients, such as wine, citrus juice or vinegar, which help to tenderize the meat.
- Use a meat tenderizer: There are specific products on the market, such as enzyme seasonings or meat tenderizers, that can be used to tenderize meat. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
- Make cuts in the meat: For thicker cuts, make small shallow cuts on both sides of the meat. This will help break down the muscle fibers, making it more tender.
- Use a meat mallet: Lightly pound the meat with a meat mallet or the blunt side of a knife. This technique helps to tenderize the muscle fibers.
- Cook at low temperature: Use slow cooking techniques, such as roasting the meat at a low temperature or cooking it in a pressure cooker. Slow cooking allows the fibers to gradually break down, making the meat more tender.
- Use the sous vide method: The sous vide method involves cooking meat in vacuum-sealed bags at low temperatures for long periods of time. This results in incredibly tender meat.
- Let the meat rest: After cooking the meat, let it rest for a few minutes before cutting. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and juicy.
- Cut the meat against the grain: When serving meat, cut it against the muscle fibers. This helps break down the fibers and makes the meat more tender to chew.
- Choose suitable cooking methods: In addition to grilling, there are other cooking techniques that can make meat more tender, such as grilling, baking, braising or cooking in a pressure cooker. Each method has its advantages for tenderizing meat.
Remember that, even with these tips, the tenderness of the meat also depends on the quality of the cut and the type of animal. However, by following these techniques, you will be on the right track to obtaining more tender and juicy meat.