What do you need to do in order to make a steak more tender.I cook well but my steaks are like gum, terrible!?

Answer 1

The remedies are simple, but are not what people seem to want to hear. Buy prime beef, cook it at very high temperatures, and serve it medium rare.

OK, I know. It's nearly impossible to buy prime, except for mail order. The high temperatures are difficult to attain at home. It is indisputable, however, that the people who are unhappy with their steaks are buying tough meat and overcooking it at temperatures that do not enhance the steak flavors.

Here is some straight talk about good steaks.

Do not buy "select" beef. It used to be called "USDA GOOD", but was renamed "Select" to confuse consumers. Let's face it, Select and Choice really mean the same thing, but Choice is the higher grade.

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A steak becomes more tender if it is marinated. The marinating actually begins the cooking process in that it breaks down the sinewy tissues. Salting the steak in advance will also tend to toughen it. Always salt the steak as you are cooking it - not before.

For a terrifically tender steak, marinate it in a combination of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, scallions and fresh thyme for at least one hour and as much as overnight. Heat an outdoor grill or a grill pan on high heat. Place the steak on the grill and DO NOT move it. High heat allows the steak to sear in the juices. For a thick steak, 1 ½ to 2 inches, turn after 8 to 10 minutes. Sear the steak on the other side. The steak is done when you place your index finger onto the surface and you feel resistance. The less resistance, the more rare the steak. Remember that your steak will continue to cook after you remove it from the grill, so for a juicy steak, remove it from the heat before you feel it is done.

Answer 2

You have to buy a good steak to begin with. Then you can put meat tenderizer on it and use a fork to stab the tenderizer in and tenderize the meat at the same time. Then you have to cook it properly. A steak needs to be cooked fairly quickly at a medium high temperature. If you cook it too slowly it gets tough. After that it's just a matter of getting the hang of it through trial and error and repeating what you did when they come out good. Also, don't put salt on it until after you've cooked it.

Answer 3

Buy better steaks such as t-bone or rib eye if you are already doing this then you may be cooking them to long. Although many people like their steaks well done, it makes the steak very stuff when prepared this way. If you have to have it well done it is best to cook it in a pan on the stove that way you at least keep it soaking in the fat until you are ready to eat it. If you're cooking on a grill and cooking well done, you'll have to live with your gum steak.

Answer 4

Marinate your steak before cooking.

Any acid will work to make the steak more tender (lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, pineapple, mango, vinegar).

Papaya will also tenderize meat. It has an enzyme in it that breaks down fibers in meat.

Make sure also when you cut steak (or any meat), that you cut AGAINST the grain of the meat, not with the grain. That's a mistake a lot of people make. If you cut with the grain, it will be very tough.

Answer 5

Put the steak in a pan cover with salt pour enough milk in pan to cover meat . Refrigerate for 4-5 hours. Remove from milk and
season & cook.

Answer 6

What type of steak are you trying to cook? How are you trying to cook it? I could probably write a book here about each type of steak and cooking methods but won't take up your space. I'll add that only buy fresh CHOICE grade steaks (you'll never find PRIME grade or affor it most likely) and stop overcooking them! If you'd like me to elaborate on teh different cooking methods feel free to message me.

Answer 7

For a last minute tenderizer, I puncture the raw steak with a sharp knife, then put worcestire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then throw on the George Foreman grill, and it's really tender and juicy! Even when cooked med well to well done!

Answer 8

marinade before cooking,also use a meat tenderizer you can find it in the utensil section of walmart dont pound the meat to much though or your steaks will be really thin

Answer 9

i like my steaks accomplished medium uncommon. i'm going to take my potatoes any way i will get them. Mashed, baked, scalloped...i might desire to circulate on :-) while it is composed of the vegetable that is going with my steak & potatoes I often like corn or peas. Plus, i might ought to have my selfmade rolls & we've been given a meal :-)

Answer 10

Try a better cut of meat and cook it medium rare to medium. You might also want to try a marinade that has a high acid content.