Best Meat Tenderizers

The 16 Best Meat Tenderizers to Prepare the Meat for Steaks or Barbecue

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Are you tired of changing your barbecue rubs to get the taste of perfect barbecue? Instead of changing rubs, you need to prepare the meat beforehand so that the meat can absorb all the spicy ingredients to increase the taste.Meat tenderizer eases the work by breaking the connective tissue of the meat so that meat can ingest the spices in less time.

The blades used to tenderize the meat work faster than pounding as it creates holes for the marinade to enter the meat. A thin slice of meat will tear apart if the blade tenderizer is used. Based on what type of meat you use in your dish, the best meat tenderizers need to be bought for cooking a delicious meal.


Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Meat Tenderizer

Does your barbecue lack flavor despite adding rubs? Red meat requires a lot of time to soak the spices and make a delicious dish.  You can pound or tenderize your meat with the help of a tenderizer, depending on the thickness of the meat. 

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Do you need a mallet tenderizer or blade meat tenderizer?

From our article, you can see the tenderizers are found in 2 different designs. One is like a hammer shape and the other has blades to tender the meat. The mallet tenderizer serves more purposes than the blade meat tenderizer. 

The mallet tenderizer has two parts, a flat surface, and a spiked surface. The spiked surface softens the meat and helps to soak all the spices to make it flavorful. The flat surface is used to straighten the shape of nuggets, cutlets, etc. 

On the other hand, the blade tenderizer punctures the meat with its huge quantity of blades. As the meat absorbs all the marinade rub, the cooking time reduces with the use of this tenderizer. However, thinner meat slices are suitable for blade tenderizers as they might tear the lice of meat. The thickness of meat is a factor to consider before buying the tenderizer. 

Are the tenderizers safe for use?

The tenderizers are a useful tool as you enjoy your delicious dishes easily. For restaurants, this tool is widely used as you cannot keep the customers waiting and also cannot serve bland dishes. By placing the meat on top of a chopping board, you can pound or tenderize the meat. 

Both types of tenderizers are built to provide safety while using but you need to be careful as you are working with stainless steel needles. 

The hardness of the blade

The blade tenderizers have blades of wide numbers like 45 to 48. The needles are made from stainless steel which is known for its strength. They need to be sharp and hard enough to piece through the string fibers of the meat. To increase the hardness of the tenderizer, chromium coating is coated on them. The hammer and blade tenderizer faces a lot of force while tendring or pounding the meat. 

Is the handle designed ergonomically?

The handle has a pivotal role in selecting the tenderizers. First of all, you can control the force of the tenderizer with the handle of the mallet tenderizer. Secondly, the needles of the blade tenderizer are pushed out by forcing on the handle. So, the handle has to be ergonomically designed to get a compatible and non-slip grip. The tenderizer can cause accidents if it is mishandled.   

Is it easy to store and maintain the tenderizer? 

The tenderizer does not require huge space to store. The hammer-shaped tenderizers have hanging holes for storage and the blade tenderizer can be stored in the cupboard. However, the blades need to be covered so that you do not get hurt while looking for other kitchen tools. 

The brands manufacture the tenderizer with aluminum or stainless steel so that the meat is not stuck on them. Most of them are safe to clean in the dishwasher and they can be hand washed as well. For deep cleaning, you can use a soft brush to remove all the remnants from the tenderizer.

Top 16 Best Meat Tenderizers


1. KitchenAid Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • The tenderizer has two different sides to prepare various types of meat.
  • The smooth side of the tool helps to flatten the shape of cutlets, nuggets, etc.
  • Aluminum is used in the construction of the tool that makes it lightweight and easy to lift.
  • The handle is ergonomically designed to get a sturdy grip of the tool while pounding.
  • Rubber is attached to the handle to make it anti-slip and absorb all the sweat from your hand.
  • It is around 9 inches in length and does not require much space for storing.
  • The tool can be cleaned by washing with your hands.

This handy tenderizer from KitchenAid will break the fibers of the meat with ease as it has a rigged side. On the other side, you will see a smooth surface with which you can pound the meat thinner. Spices easily penetrate through the thin meat and make the dish flavorful. The meat tenderizer is easy to use as you can shift the side quickly. 

Moreover, this aluminum tool resists corrosion and has the capability to endure the force of pounding. It is not a dishwasher-safe device but you can wash it with your hands to remove the remnants of the meat. You can store it in a drive or hang it on the wall on a hook. Besides, you can break hard shell items like nuts, peppercorn, etc with this tenderizer.

2. Jaccard Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • It has 48 stainless steel blades with sharpening on both sides and a hardness of 50 Rockwell.
  • Meat preparation will be less time-consuming as it has 2 sided razor-sharp blades.
  • It is constructed with a food-grade ABS component to make it durable.
  • You can clean the tenderizer on the dishwasher but always need to place it on the top shelf.
  • The tenderizer has a wide area to provide a comfortable grip.

As the product’s name implies, this handy tool has a total of 48 knife blades to tenderize your meat. These knives penetrate the meat through their connective tissues (the ones that are responsible for making the meat tough) and create tiny heat channels from within. The said heat channels allow the meat to be cooked faster than the regular, resulting in a reduced cooking time of up to 40 percent. This will let your meat retain its juiciness at the same time tender and even have more flavor in it.

Your marinating would not be the same either. Using this product on your meat will not only tenderize it but it would also give a pathway for the marinade to be absorbed without changing its shape and appearance. It even increases the absorption rate of marinades up to 600 percent. The heat channels also allow you to cook the meat squarely across varying thicknesses – preventing overcooking and / or undercooking.

With the help of the Jaccard Supertendermatic 48-Blade Tenderizer, you do not have to worry about your meat getting too small as well. As this helps reduce your cooking time evenly, it also helps you get away from unnecessary meat shrinkage. 

3. Checkered Chef Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • It is designed in mallet-style that flat and textures side to tender the meat.
  • The lightweight of the tool makes the tendering process fast and effortless.
  • The tenderizer is a full tang metal that makes it strong enough to withstand the shock of pounding.
  • It has a rubberized ergonomic handle to reduce the risk of slipping off during pounding the meat.
  • The tenderizer has a non-stick coating to protect it from rust or corrosion.
  • The meat tenderizer is completely safe to clean in the dishwasher.

This is a tenderizer from Checkered Chef that pounds the meat without much effort. The textured side softens the fibers of the meat so that rubs and spices can enhance the flavor of your steak. The full tang metal ensures the sturdiness of the tenderizer so that you can use it with the force without worrying about damaging it. 

Moreover, it has a shiny outlook for its non-stick coating. The handle is rubberized so that you can get a comfortable grip for tendering the meat. The best feature about this kitchen tool is that it can be washed in the dishwasher that reduces the load of your work. It is a 10 inches long tenderizing tool that can be stored in a drawer or hung on the wall with its hanging hole.

4. XSpecial Meat Tenderizer Tool

Highlighted Features

  • 48 stainless steel needles on the tenderizer penetrate through the meat within a small time.
  • The blades are extra-long and both the sides are highly sharpened.
  • The bottom part of the tool can be easily detached for easy cleaning.
  • The tenderizer has certification from FDA and BPA for making it safe for use.
  • It can be cleaned in the dishwasher along with other kitchen tools.
  • The handle has a curve to get a balanced grip while preparing the meat.

For a sudden dinner plan with your friends at your house, you can easily serve them steak with this meat tenderizer. The tenderizer has a razor-sharp stainless steel blade that easily pierces the meat and absorbs the flavors of spices and herbs in a very less time. Beef and pork are hard meat that needs to be marinated hours before cooking but this tool tenders the meat within a few hours.

Furthermore, this tool reduces the cooking time as it softens the meat and serves a delicious dish in front of the guest. For deep cleaning, the bottom part can be separated and put in the dishwasher. It is better to put it on the top rack as the sharp blades can damage the other cookware. However, the handle can be hard for some people to get a comfortable grip as it does not have a pot handle with holes.

5. JY COOKMENT Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • The blades are made of stainless steel that provides firm support to tenderize the meat.
  • All the materials used on the tenderizing tool are non-toxic and FDA certified.
  • The ergonomic handle is easy to get a grip on to break the connective tissue of the meat.
  • Warm soapy water will clean the tenderizing tool thoroughly.
  • You can clean the tool in the dishwasher during your busy schedules.

In our super fast-paced life, we want the cooking process to be swift as well and this Jy Cookment meat tenderizer tool reduces the cooking time by 40%. It has sharp blades to break the hard meat fibers and makes it soft enough to soak all the spices in a small amount of time. The ergonomic handle helps with the comfortable grip and protects your finger from any further pain due to tenderizing. 

The sharp 48 blades can be hard to clean but they can be cleaned on the dishwasher. But it is better to hand wash to protect other cooking dishes from damage. It is a 10 ounces tool that can be carried for outdoor events or picnics. However, do not use this tool on a slice of frozen meat or meat with bones to prevent the bones from breaking.

6. ZXZ Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • Ultra-sharp 48 stainless steel blades on the tenderizer to prepare the meat for steaks.
  • The tip of the blades is polished to maintain the sharpness for a long time.
  • The stainless steel prevents rust and makes the blades durable for a long period.
  • The handle is ergonomically designed which gives a comfortable grip.
  • The meat tenderizer is suitable to be cleaned in the dishwasher.
  • A transparent cover is provided for the blades to store safely in the kitchen.

For meat lovers, this is a great tenderizer as it helps to soften the meat to soak all the ingredients. We usually marinate the chick, beef, pork the day before the cooking and let it rest for an entire day to soak all the spices but this tool reduces the resting time. After tendering, the meat absorbs the ingredients 600% faster than the regular process. 

Moreover, the blades are manufactured from stainless steel to prevent rust and to be strong enough to endure the force required to tenderize the meat. It is safe to use as the blades will not come out until force is applied. Usually, small bits of meat do not get stuck on the blades and in case it is stuck you can clean it with a brush. For a durable service, wipe the blades with a dry cloth and store them away from the children.

7. Spring Chef Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • It is a hammer-shaped tool that you can pound and tenderize your meat at the same time.
  • It has a long handle that provides enough space to get a firm grip.
  • The flat side can be used for multiple purposes like smoothing or breaking a hard shell.
  • Premium quality aluminum is used on the tenderizer to make it last for long.
  • The chromium plating on the tool makes it easier to clean.
  • This handy meat tenderizer is safe for the dishwasher.
  • It has a long hanging hole at the end of the handle for easy storage.

To enjoy the mouth-watering dish of meat, you can simply use this tenderizer and save a lot of cooking time. This meat tenderizer has two different sides with which you can pound and tenderize the beef, pork, chicken, fish, etc. the textured side has sharp grids that are small and close to each to cover a wide area of the meat. 

The flat side can be used to flatten the surface of cookie dough or crush hard shell nuts or spices. The chromium coating ensures the hardness of the tool. This tenderizer not only reduces the cooking time but also eases the cleaning process by being safe for the dishwasher. You can also hand wash it with mild soapy water and store it in your kitchen cupboard and drying.

8. Ccfoud Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • Tenders the meat without changing the shape or appearance with its 48 stainless steel blades.
  • The blades are hard and repel rust or corrosion for a longer service.
  • It is safe to use as the blades come out when pressed on the meat.
  • It comes in a portable size and transparent cover that helps in storing the kitchen tool.
  • Soaking in warm soapy water extracts all the meat components on the blades.
  • Use of the dishwasher for cleaning the tenderizer is acceptable.

The meat tenderizer from Ccfoud is made of heavy-duty material to make it durable and safe to use. Its compact design makes it easy to carry outdoors or store safely in the kitchen cupboard. For safety, a cover is given along the tool and a brush is provided to keep it clean. 

In addition, the blades are a stainless steel material that pierces the meat, creating small hot canals to easily penetrate the spices or rubbers. You can prepare all kinds of meat like lamb, pork, beef, etc with this meat tenderizer. The best feature of this tool is that it has an ergonomic handle that does not put stress on hand while tendering the meat. Also, you need to decide how to cleanse it as it can be hand-cleaned or washed in the dishwasher.

9. Norpro Meat Pounder

Highlighted Features

  • It comes in 4.75 inches in length and designed in the vertical style that helps to control the force.
  • The surface is flat to pound the meat evenly on all over the meat.
  • It is sturdy and durable as it is manufactured with stainless steel iron.
  • The handle is an anti-slip feature and prevents fatigue or cramps due to pounding.

The hands get tired while pounding meat but the Norpro meat pounder helps to ease the pain with its comfortable grip. The tenderizer is heavy and helps prepare the meat after a few punches, enabling it to soak the marinate easily. The size of the tenderizer is able to store it in drawers without wasting much space. 

Besides, the tenderizer is safe to use as it has no blades but it is heavy enough to hurt someone. The handle is designed for compatible grip and rubber prevents it from slipping off while pounding. There is no specific mention of cleaning the pounder so we suggest hand cleaning it with mild soapy water.

10. Weston Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • It has a feeding tube to put the meat for tenderizing.
  • This manual tenderizer has 31 steel blades to cut through the tough parts of the meat.
  • Ergonomic handle that eases the rotation for tenderizing the meat.
  • Stainless steel combs are given to resolve the tool if jammed due to meat.
  • A tong is given with the meat tenderizer to safely place the meat on it.
  • All the parts need to be dismounted before cleaning.

If you like making the meat tender and thin for a seamlessly cubed steak, schnitzel, or chicken fried steak, etc., this one might be the right kitchen gadget for you. Perfect for hunters, gardeners, and food enthusiasts, the Weston Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber Tenderizer might not be the traditional tenderizer but it features a durable all metal design. It also has features steel combs that prevent jamming the machine.

You can now tenderize pounds of meat in just a few turn of the crank handle. It has a total of 31 stainless steel blades, a sturdy base, and 2 C-clamps to enable mounting on counters. The design is compact enough for easy storage and includes a pair of stainless steel tongs to safely place the meat in the device.

With the help of this manual meat tenderizer device, you can reduce the cooking time of your favorite meals once it has been tenderized. You can also maximize the success of your marinades and get the desired delicious flavors. It also has a food safe coating so no need to worry about chemical stuff trying to mix in with the food.

11. Jaccard 45-Blade Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • The fibers of meat are easily pulled apart with the 45 sharp stainless steel blades.
  • The blades have both sides sharpen that makes the meat ready without much time.
  • The cartridge can be removed for thorough cleaning.
  • The meat tenderizer is safe for daily use as it is certified by NSF.
  • Cleaning is simpler as it is dishwasher safe.

We all want a tool that reduces our workload and also easy to maintain, the Jaccard Meat Tenderizer has all the features. The sharp stainless steel blade prepares the lamb or chicken breast within minutes for barbecue. It becomes easy for meat to soak all the marinade and make the dish flavorful. 

The tenderizer is made durable by using FDA food-grade material. Moreover, the blades have the hardness of 50 Rockwell that will bend with little force. The patented slide button helps to detach the cartridge for cleaning. All the parts can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning. But make sure to put them on the top shelf so the blade does not damage other cooking utensils.

12. OXO Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • The meat can be pounded as well tenderized with this tool.
  • Aluminum construction makes it robust to break the fibers of meat for fast cooking.
  • It is coated with a non-stick coating so that meat does stick to the tenderizer.
  • It provides a solid grip with its ergonomic handle and reduces the slip-off with rubber attached on the sides.
  • The meat tenderizer is safe for dishwasher use.

Meat can be cooked in various ways and for that, you might need to pound or tenderize it. This meat tenderizer from OXO serves both purposes. It has a straight long handle and at the top, it is divided into two parts like a hammer- a flat and a textured part. 

On top of the chopping board, you can pound the meat as required without worrying that the tenderizer might break. It does not waste much time in cleaning as the non-stick releases any meat remnants easily. Moreover, it does take much space storing and you can also hang it on the wall.

13. K BASIX Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • It is a heavy-duty tenderizer made from stainless steel that will be in service for a lifetime.
  • The spike parts help in tendering meat and the flat portion is to obtain a smoother surface.
  • A hanging hole for storage is given on the handle.
  • It will be comfortable in your hands as it is ergonomically designed.
  • The tenderizer is safe for hand to wash as well as in the dishwasher.

This hammer-shaped meat tenderizer has a different outlook from others. First of all, it is a heavy-duty material-made tenderizer that has both rigged and flat sides. It is not heavy and you can easily carry it with you. From meat to frozen veggies, this tenderizer can be used to soften or melt them.

Moreover, the handle is wrapped with rubber to reduce the risk of slipping. The handle is long enough to control the balance of pounding. It is a full tang tenderizer to make it lasting. Maintaining is easy as it can be hand-cleaned or washed in the dishwasher.

14. Cave Tools Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • It is a versatile tool that pound meat as well as crush nuts and spices.
  • A dishwasher can be used for cleaning the tenderizer.
  • The handle has silicone to ensure the strong grip of the tool.
  • Storage of the tenderizer is easy as it has a hanging hole.
  • A light-weighted kitchen tool that will not tire your hands for pounding.

You can start making your own melts in your mouth tender meat with this manual hammer pounder made by Cave Tools. If you have been wondering about the secret tool behind the deliciously good chef recipes, then you just found it. This meat tenderizer mallet tool is perfect for hammering chicken, steak, beef, and other tough meat cuts to create country fried steak, wiener schnitzel, cordon bleu, etc.

It was designed to be dishwasher safe with a brilliant combination of silicone handle and stainless steel metal head. This makes the tool easy to clean and sanitize from raw meat bacteria. And just like the other hammer-like devices, it has two sides: the tenderizing side to tenderize tough cuts like steak and the smooth side used for pounding and flattening meats like chicken.

The best part is that it comes with a free 25 professional recipes that have a step by step instructions and detailed video tutorial access. You can’t just tenderize meat or crush some spices but you can also experiment on the recipes they shared. This is how Cave Tools ensure that their products are the best and that their customers are seriously important to them.

15. Chef Master Meat Tenderizer

Highlighted Features

  • This 48 stainless steel blade tenderizer has ETL certification.
  • The blades cut through the fibers and create heat channels easily.
  • Well-designed ergonomic handles that do not create any hurdle during tendering.
  • The parts do not need to be disassembled before cleaning.
  • To cover the sharp blades, a transparent cover is provided with the tenderizer.

With Chef Master 90009 Professional Meat Tenderizer, you will get the best handle fit and design which allows you to have an easy and fast tenderizing experience. It has 48 stainless steel razor sharp blades that penetrate the meat to release its natural flavors and juiciness. Being professionally designed, it can make even the toughest cut of meat into a juicy and flavorful masterpiece with ease.

This meat tenderizer has only one option and is available in the color red. It weighs 1.25 pounds or 0.57 kilograms which makes it lightweight enough. The materials used to create this product pass the ETL standard and have been given the ETL Sanitation Mark. You need not worry whether it is fit for use in food preparation as there are no harmful materials used.

The product is also safe to be cleaned in a dishwasher. It was made professionally to cut any kind of meat but continuous constant use would make the professional meat tenderizer last for only a year or two. It would be a good enough buy bearing in mind what it can do for that period of time.

16. KLEMOO Meat Tenderizer Tool 

Highlighted Features

  • The blades are razor-sharp that pieces the meat in no time.
  • The stainless steel blade tenderizer is easy to control while tenderizing.
  • The top shelf on the dishwasher can be used for cleaning it.
  • Food grade ABS plastic is used to construct the handle of the tool.

This 48 ultra-sharp needle stainless steel blades tenderizer is a must have kitchen tool. You can start making a difference with the tenderness of your chicken breasts, beef and fish steaks, pork loins, lamb chops, etc. by using this convenient tool. It creates tiny heat channels inside the meat and breaks down the connective tissues to prevent the toughness and chewiness of the meat and change them to a deliciously decadent delight.

For as little as 5 minutes, marinades can be fully absorbed with the pathways provided by the tiny heat channels. These tiny heat channels even allow the heat to pierce through making the meat cook quicker up to 40 percent. Less cooking time also means less shrinkage and lesser loss of the meat’s natural flavors and juiciness.

The KLEMOO Needle Meat Tenderizer Tool is not just impressive but it is also easy to use and control. It was ergonomically designed to comfortable with a non-slip handle. You do not have to use that much energy; just press it down the meat and the sharp blades will cut even the toughest fibers.

It also comes with a clear protective plastic cover lid to keep it the blades clean once washed. No need to fuss on cleaning as well since this tool is dishwasher safe. Just keep it in a safe storage and away from children’s reach to prevent them from playing with the sharp blades.


FAQ

Is meat tenderizing rub faster than a meat tendering tool?

Not really, as you need to wait for a few hours when you use any of them. The tendering tool cannot be used in frozen meat as the blade can bend or break apart. You need to wait 30 to 2 hours to let the meat soak all the spices. 

Do I need to add salt or vinegar to the meat before tendering?

No, it is not necessary to add anything to the meat. Put the meat on a flat surface so that it sits flat and then tenderize it with a blade. You can lightly pound the meat to create a flat surface. 

What is the difference between pounding and tendering the meat? 

Pounding makes the shape of the slice of the meat evenly and is also done in the thin slices of meat. Tenderizing is done on the thick slices so that the meat can absorb all the marinade in less time.

Final Verdict

For a great barbecue, the meat needs to be of good quality and also need to be marinated for a long time to make it flavorful. However, it is always possible to marinade the meat for long hours and as a result, they do not taste good as they should be. The meat tenderizers help the meat to absorb the rubs and spices so that you can enjoy it anytime. 

The tenderizing tool comes in a portable shape that enables you to carry anywhere you want. Also, they are made of strong and food-grade materials so your food does not get mixed with any chemicals. We hope our descriptive article will help you choose the best meat tenderizers so that you can enjoy your meals.

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Anne Ramirez

Annie loves nothing more than testing out kitchen tech that can be controlled from a tablet! Not onl...

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