Are you tired of tough or chewy steak? Do you want to make sure your steak is tender and flavorful? If so, here are several methods that can help you how to soften steak. In this blog post, we’ll be looking at how to use marinade, slow cooking or braising, slice thinly, pound with a meat mallet, and rest after cooking to turn even the toughest cuts of beef into juicy masterpieces. We will also discuss how each method should be used to achieve the desired level of tenderness and flavor. So if you’re ready to learn how to tenderize steak, read on!
What is Steak?
Steak is a type of meat that has been cut across the muscle fibers, creating tender slices of beef. Steaks often come from the rib, loin, or sirloin areas and can vary in size and shape. The most popular cuts of steak include ribeye, T-bone, porterhouse, filet mignon, strip steak, flank steak, and skirt steak.
The texture and flavor of steak are determined by how much fat it contains and how long it is cooked. Marbling (the flecks of fat visible throughout the meat) indicates how flavorful a steak will be. Most steaks should be cooked over high heat for just a few minutes to ensure they remain tender and juicy.
When selecting a good quality steak, look for an even pinkish-red color with no blemishes or discoloration. When purchasing pre-packaged steaks, also check to make sure they have not been previously frozen and are still fresh. Additionally, when buying raw steaks, look for nice marbling throughout the piece, as this will add more flavor during cooking.
Once cooked properly, steaks can provide a delicious meal that is both nutritious and filling. They are rich in protein (which helps build muscle), zinc (promotes healthy skin and nails), selenium (supports cellular growth), potassium (helps maintain blood pressure), as well as many other essential vitamins and minerals. Steak can also be a great source of iron which helps increase energy levels throughout the day.
How Does It Become Hard And Why Should You Tenderize Steak?
Steak can become hard if it is not cooked correctly or if it has been overcooked. High-quality steaks will often become tough or chewy when they are undercooked or cooked too quickly at a high temperature. This is because the muscle fibers in the steak have not had enough time to break down and soften. This will result in a dry, tough piece of meat.
In addition to how long it is cooked, preparing your steak before cooking can also affect how tender it is. If you do not marinate the steak, its outer layer can become dry and tough when cooked. If you slice your steak too thickly, the middle part may remain uncooked while the exterior becomes dry and chewy. Even if you cook your steak correctly, if you leave it sitting on the plate for too long, heat from the inside of the steak radiates outwards, causing it to toughen up more quickly than usual.
The best way to ensure a soft and juicy steak is to invest in high-quality steaks with good marbling. Each bite will be tender and flavorful. Use a meat thermometer to make sure your steaks reach an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare or 145°F (63°C) for medium. Any higher temperatures will risk drying out your steaks. Additionally, keep an eye on how long it’s been cooking. Thinner cuts should only take a few minutes per side. However, thicker steaks might need as much as 7 minutes per side. Of course, this depends on thickness and desired doneness level. Lastly, avoid leaving cooked steaks sitting on a plate for longer than 10 minutes. This will cause them to lose their moisture content and become harder than usual.
How to Soften Steak
1) Using Marinate to Soften Steak
Marinating the steak is a great way to tenderize and add flavor to your steak before cooking. Marinating involves soaking the steak in a combination of liquids such as oil, vinegar, and spices for several hours or overnight. The marinade helps to break down some of the tough connective tissue found in tougher cuts of meat. This will result in a more tender and flavorful steak.
When marinating steaks, remember that how long you marinate them can affect how tender they turn out. A few minutes will not tenderize the meat significantly. Still, more extended periods (3-4+ hours) are needed for the best results. Additionally, acidic ingredients such as citrus juice and vinegar should be used sparingly since they can have a toughening effect if left on too long.
Another thing to note when marinating steaks is how much liquid you use. Generally speaking, it’s best to cover just half of the steak so that there’s still some air circulation around it. This will help ensure even absorption of flavors.
Finally, when finished marinating your steaks, make sure to discard any remaining marinade as it may contain raw meat juices from the steaks. This could cause foodborne illnesses if consumed. Marinated steaks should also be cooked immediately after removing them from their bath for optimal tenderness and flavor.
2) Slow Cooking or Braising to Soften Steak
Slow cooking or braising is another great way to soften tough steak. This method involves cooking the steak in a liquid or sauce at low temperatures for an extended period, usually several hours. Slow cooking helps break down the connective tissue in tougher cuts of steak and tenderizes them as they cook. It also infuses the steak with flavor from herbs, spices, or other ingredients in the liquid.
The key to successfully slow cooking or braising your steak is to start with a high-quality cut of meat. Be sure to use enough liquid to cover it completely. The liquid should be heated before adding the steaks and brought to a gentle simmer before covering it with a lid and reducing the heat. Depending on how tough your steaks are, you may want to let them cook for anywhere from 1-4 hours until they reach your desired level of tenderness.
When slow-cooking steaks, make sure to turn them every 30 minutes or so to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption. Additionally, suppose you’re using spices or aromatics like garlic, onions, carrots, etc. In that case, add them during the last hour of cooking, as these will become too soft if cooked for longer periods. Finally, once you’re done slow cooking your steaks, remove them from the liquid immediately. Leaving them in the hot liquid can cause them to overcook quickly.
3) Slicing Thinly to Tenderize Steak
Slicing the steak thinly is an effective way to tenderize tough cuts. By slicing it into thin slices, you can quickly and easily break down the connective tissue in the tougher cuts of steak and achieve a more tender texture. This method works best with cuts that are on the tougher side, such as chuck, shoulder, or round steaks.
When slicing your steak, you want to make sure you slice against the grain so that it breaks apart easily. To do this, look for the long lines in the meat and cut across them rather than along them. This will ensure that your steaks come out nice and tender after cooking. Once sliced thin, press lightly on each piece with your hand or a meat mallet to help further soften and tenderize them before cooking.
The great thing about this method is how quickly it works. Once sliced thin, the steak doesn’t need to marinate or be cooked for an extended period to soften up. Instead, all you need to do is cook your steaks over medium-high heat (either on a grill or pan). They’ll be ready in just a few minutes. So this method of softening steak is excellent when you don’t have much time but still want a delicious meal!
When using this method to soften steak, remember that thinner slices will cook faster, so make sure not to overcook them. Additionally, if you want extra flavor with your steak, feel free to add some seasoning or herbs right before cooking. Be careful not to over-season, as this can mask the natural flavors of the beef itself. Finally, let your slices rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This will allow all those delicious juices to redistribute throughout for an even juicier and tastier steak!
4) Tenderize Steak With a Meat Mallet
Pounding the steak with a meat mallet is one of the most effective and straightforward methods for softening tough cuts of steak. This method works by using a mallet to physically break down the connective tissues in the steak, allowing it to become more tender over time. In addition to providing all-over tenderness, pounding a steak can also help shape it into an even thickness, making it easier and faster to cook.
This method involves placing your steak on a cutting board or plate lightly dusted with flour or cornstarch. This will help ensure the mallet doesn’t stick when pounding the meat. Next, take a meat mallet (or something similar such as a rolling pin) and begin gently hammering away at the steak until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. Ensure not to hit too hard, as this can cause uneven pounding, leading to inconsistent cooking results.
Consider seasoning your steak before pounding it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or other herbs and spices you like. Not only will this add flavor, but it also helps draw out any moisture from within the beef, making it more tender after being pounded. Additionally, if you want an extra flavorful result, consider marinating your steaks before pounding them. This will allow them to absorb even more flavor while they soften up!
Finally, remember that how long you need to pound your steaks depends entirely on how thick and tough they are. Thinner slices may only need 1-2 minutes, whereas thicker slices might require up to 10 minutes of pounding. Keep an eye on how much your steaks have softened up, and when they reach your desired level of tenderness, remove them from the cutting board immediately, so they don’t continue to cook from residual heat.
5) Resting the to Tenderize Steak
Resting the steak after cooking is one of the most critical but often overlooked methods of ensuring tenderness and flavor. After removing your steak from its cooking surface, it’s essential to let it rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the proteins and juices that were heated during cooking time to redistribute throughout the steak, resulting in optimal tenderness and flavor.
The longer you let your steak rest, the more tender it will become. For large cuts such as roasts or rib-eye steaks, resting up to 30 minutes is recommended to ensure maximum tenderness. The resting time also depends on how hot your cooking surface was. If it was very hot, the residual heat would continue to cook the steak even after removing it from the direct heat source so that a shorter resting time may be necessary.
When properly rested, your steak should have a nice juicy interior with an evenly seared outside with beautiful grill marks or charring. In addition to providing extra tenderness and flavor, letting your steaks rest before cutting helps prevent them from being too dry. As a result, all those delicious juices are evenly redistributed throughout instead of running out onto your plate when you cut into them!
Finally, when resting steaks, ensure not to cover them with any lid as this can cause them to steam and potentially lead to soggy results. Instead, leave them uncovered on a plate or cutting board until they reach their desired temperature before slicing into them.
Conclusion on How to Soften Steak
Overall, there are many methods on how to soften steaks and make them tender and flavorful. Whether you use a meat tenderizer, marinate your steak, slow cook or braise it, slice thinly before cooking, pound with a mallet, or let the steak rest after cooking. Each technique can be used to achieve delicious results. With all these tools at your disposal, you should now have everything you need to create perfect steaks every time! So don’t worry if your last attempt was too dry – try one (or more!) of these how-to tips and enjoy the perfectly cooked meal that awaits!