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The Best Meat Tenderizer

Last updated on November 3, 2021

We looked at the top 13 Meat Tenderizers and dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Meat Tenderizers.

Best Meat Tenderizer

Our Review Process

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Have you ever had an unreasonably tough piece of beef or a very chewy piece of chicken? Sometimes, no matter how good of a chef you are, the meat you’re working with can be very difficult to eat. This is where a meat tenderizer tool comes in. It’s a hand-powered kitchen gadget that is designed to soften beef, lamb, venison, pork, turkey, chicken, duck and other kinds of meat before cooking. Taking the time to do this quick step often results in melt-in-your-mouth dishes.

There are three main types of meat tenderizing tools. One of the most common is the kind that looks like a large hammer or mallet. Typically, this meat tenderizer is made out of a heavy metal. The hammer has two faces, one that’s flat, while the other has cone-shaped protrusions. You use this type of meat tenderizer by hammering on the meat. Similar to this style of gadget is one that looks kind of like a potato masher, but has a large metal face that is either smooth or has a bumpy surface. The flat sides of these tools are perfect for pounding out meat into thinner slices, while the jagged side is great for softening the meat. Another type of meat tenderizer uses blades that puncture the meat as they are pressed into it. This not only helps to soften the tough fibers of the meat, but also helps to create channels for flavors from marinades and spices to seep through.

While one of the key benefits of a meat tenderizer tool is that they turn rough cuts of meat into succulent meals, an added bonus is that they help to reduce cooking time significantly. You can make a better meal in less time by using a meat tenderizer because the gadget does a good job of breaking down tough fibers in the meat.

Our Picks For The Top Meat Tenderizers

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Best Overall

XSpecial Stainless Steel Ergonomic Meat Tenderizer

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XSpecial

Stainless Steel Ergonomic Meat Tenderizer

Your beef, chicken and pork has never tasted as good as when you use this meat tenderizer. The long needles do an excellent job of penetrating the meat without smashing or distorting it. The oversized handle also makes the tenderizer easy to use.

Overall Take

Low MaintenanceThis meat tenderizer has a detachable bottom for easy cleaning.

  Great Basic

KitchenAid Aluminum Double Sided Meat Tenderizer

KitchenAid

Aluminum Double Sided Meat Tenderizer

Create the most mouth-watering cuts of beef and chicken with this meat tenderizer. It's constructed from aluminum, which is both lightweight and durable. One side of the tenderizer is smooth, while the other side is textured. There's even a hole in the end of the tenderizer for easy hanging.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this meat tenderizer is available in black, aqua and red.

  Great for Marinating

Jaccard 200348 Handheld  Meat Tenderizer

Jaccard

200348 Handheld Meat Tenderizer

With 48 powerful stainless steel blades, this meat tenderizer helps you cook delicious meals. The blades help the marinade seep into the meat and reduce the cooking time by 40 percent. It’s highly durable and made out of commercial-grade material.

Overall Take

Raises the Absorption RateThis blade meat tenderizer creates channels for marinades to better flavor the meat.

  We Also Like

Norpro 7032 Tenderizerpro-BX 24-Prong Meat Tenderizer

Norpro

7032 Tenderizerpro-BX 24-Prong Meat Tenderizer

With 24 stainless-steel prongs, this meat tenderizer allows marinade to absorb faster into the meat. Using this tool improves the taste of any kind of meat. Clean the gadget easily in warm water and soap.

Overall Take

Heavy Duty Spring Action MechanismThis powerful gadget breaks down tough meat fibers and connective tissues.

  Best for Tough Cuts

Weston 07-3101-W-A Aluminum Manual Meat Tenderizer

Weston

07-3101-W-A Aluminum Manual Meat Tenderizer

If you routinely need to process large quantities of meat, this meat tenderizer with a hand crank will make your job easier. It has 31 stainless steel blades and a sturdy cast aluminum body with a heavy-duty base and crank handle. The gadget comes apart for easy cleanup.

Overall Take

Ideal for Hunters and FarmersThis high-performance tool tenderizes even the toughest cuts of meat.

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20

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the meat tenderizers available to purchase.
13

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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23

Expert Reviews Included

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Norpro 7032 Tenderizerpro-BX 24-Prong Meat Tenderizer

Our Total Score

9.6

Our Take

With 24 stainless-steel prongs, this meat tenderizer allows marinade to absorb faster into the meat. Using this tool improves the taste of any kind of meat. Clean the gadget easily in warm water and soap.

What to Look For

  • Before you purchase a meat tenderizer, think about what kind of cuts of meat you eat most often. This will help you decide what kind of gadget you need. For example, if you mostly eat chicken and turkey breast, a mallet-style tenderizer will help you get thin cutlets that cook up in no time. If you are a fan of large roasts, you may fare better with a blade-style meat tenderizer that can penetrate thick cuts of meat, helping to both soften the flesh and let the marinade seep through. If cube steaks are your thing, then a standing blade-tenderizer can help you get perfectly textured meat with a few turns of the hand crank.
  • Depending on the quantity of meat you need to tenderize, look at the surface area the gadget covers. For example, if you’re a hunter and process your own meat, you’ll want to get a large meat tenderizer that has a big surface area. If you’re only tenderizing a few small pieces for your family, then a small tool will do the trick.
  • For those that like to add flavor to their meat using herbs, spices and marinades, take a look at the absorption rate the gadget provides. In many cases, you can get meat tenderizers that will increase the absorption rate of the meat by several hundred percent. This helps your meat to take on better flavors and decreases the amount of time it needs to cook.
  • Meat tenderizers have a tough job to do, and that’s why durability is key. Look for tools that have blades that are made out of heavy-duty materials such as stainless steel. Aluminum construction for the outside of the gadget will provide the best results.

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