Is beef tough to eat after cooking? That must be due to the sturdy connective tissues and muscles. Overcooking is another reason for the dry and tight meat.

Even after trying hard to cook a good tender beef, tough meat often disappoints us. But wait! That does not mean you have to eat non-tenderized beef. You can still fix it because, in this article, we will unleash some of the most remarkable ways to tenderize cooked beef.

The best way to tenderize cooked beef

Here we discuss some of the effective ways to tenderize your cooked beef.

Pounding meat with a meat mallet

Pounding is one of the best ways to soften tough beef. If your beef is not tender and feels like a task, pounding it with a meat mallet will help. A meat mallet is typically used to break apart cognitive issues and muscle fibers.

A simple guide for pounding cooked beef

1. Take the cooked beef you want to pound and put it on an even surface.
2. Take the meat mallet and start gently pounding the cooked beef.
3. Make sure to pound nicely on the part that seems the toughest.
4. Now that you have nicely pounded the beef, you can see that the meat is appreciably tender.

Pounding the meat can be slightly messy. To avoid it, place the beef between plastic polythene or wax paper. Do not pound the meat too hard, as it can tear it apart.

Cutting against the grain

The second method for tenderizing cooked beef is by cutting it against the grain. In this method, you cut the beef into smaller pieces that help the meat get tenderized.

So, basically, when you make the cuts, you are actually cutting through the grain, which helps break apart the muscle fiber. Hence, your meat becomes accessible to chew. It is mostly used for skirt steak and flank steak, as these require the most effort to be tenderized.

A simple guide on how you can make cuts against the grain

1. Notice where the lines on the meat are leading to see the direction of the gains.
2. Make cuts across these lines to cut against the grain with a knife.
3. Smaller and thinner pieces of meat are suggested to be made while cutting against the grain. It is helpful if you want to soften already cooked meat fast.

Use the braising cooking technique.

Braising is a popular cooking technique used to tenderize meat. It pulls apart the tissues of meat fiber, helping to achieve juicier and softer beef.

In this technique, you gently cook the already cooked beef for a long time, along with some additional moisture. This technique not only tenderizes the meat but also enhances its taste.

A simple guide for braising the beef

1. Firstly, to braise the pieces of meat, select which fluid you want to use.
2. Lay down the cooked beef inside the pot or a saucepan. Cover it with a tight lid.
3. Let it simmer for an hour or two at a low flame.

Additionally, you can add vinegar to the liquid you are braising the beef in. Vinegar is a good ingredient for breaking apart muscle fiber and helping elevate the flavors of the beef. If you struggle to tenderize large pieces of meat, consider this method.

Make use of Marinade.

Although many people marinate raw meat before cooking, the same technique can be used to tenderize already-cooked beef, too. For the Marinade, go for acidic ingredients.

Vinegar and lemon juice can be used. These things accommodate acid, which helps tough fiber break down. Papaya paste is also suggested to be added to the Marinade. It contains properties that help the meat tenderize better.

Simple guide on how to marinade cooked beef

Ensure that the Marinade evenly covers most of the meat's surface. For this purpose, it is better to cut it into small pieces.

1. To prepare the Marinade, mix the ingredients in a bowl. Usually, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, some seasoning, and olive oil are used.
2. Now combine the prepared Marinade with the cooked beef you want to tenderize more.
3. Put it inside the refrigerator for at least a few hours.
4. Now, it's time to reheat the cooked meat. You can use an oven or just a normal stove to do this.

Commercial meat tenderizer

A commercial tenderizer can also help you tenderize your cooked beef. Although they are usually used on raw meat, they also work well to tenderize tough beef that's already cooked. Commercial meat tenderizers have enzymes in them, which provide you with softer meat.

A simple guide on how to use meat tenderizers

1. Take your cooked beef and dust it on some tenderizer.
2. Leave it like that for some time. (Check the time on the package of the used tenderizer to see how long you have to leave it like that.)
3. Now start resting the beef. Remember to only do it on a low flame; otherwise, it will further toughen the cooked beef.

What to avoid while tenderizing cooked meat

It is extremely crucial to avoid reheating the cooked beef on high heat. Whatever technique you use to soften the tough meat, make sure you do it on a low flame or low heat.

On the other hand, doing the same thing on a high flame would ruin all the effort. Additionally, it will make the beef even tougher. This is because high heat further connects the muscle fiber. So, only use low heat while tendering already-cooked beef.

Conclusion

Beef is a tricky meat to cook. Sometimes, it can be overcooked and tough. However, this article provides complete information about the best methods and techniques to fix tough beef after cooking.

Whatever technique you select, braising, or pounding, ensure you reheat the beef on low heat. Now, whenever you think your beef is overcooked and tough, do not worry. Just use these effective ways and save your beef from getting wasted.