Steak Tenderizing Case Study by Adam Wojtow, Steak Revolution Founder

Check out the presentation on steak tenderizing techniques led by Adam Wojtow, the owner of Steak Revolution. This case study delves into various methods, highlighting the effectiveness of pineapple and salt for achieving perfectly tender steaks. Discover practical tips and expert advice to elevate your culinary skills.

For more comprehensive steak guides and resources, visit https://steakrevolution.com/


Adam Wojtow is a Polish entrepreneur and writer who founded Steak Revolution in 2020 because of his passion for steaks. Adam has been cooking steaks for over five years and knows a lot about them, including the different types of steak cuts, how long to cook them, and the best ways to cook any steak.

1. Steak Tenderizing 101
Workshop with Adam Wojtow, Founder of the Steak Revolution
May 24, 2024

2. Tenderizing
methods
Salt Overnight
Cut Against the Grain
Pounding with a Meat
Mallet
Using Baking Soda
Using Pineapple
Using Papaya
Pineapple and Salt

3. Method 1: Salt Overnight
Tenderizing time: 12-24 hours
Overall rating: 6/10
Pros:
Flavor: Enhances the steak's taste
significantly.
Simplicity: No special tools or ingredients
required.
Crust Formation: Salt drying out the steak's
surface overnight aids in forming a superior
crust.
Cons:
Time: Requires a full day to be effective.
Effectiveness on Tough Cuts: Less impactful
on very tough cuts.
Gray Band: Over-salting can cause a larger
gray band, though it's cured, not overcooked.

4. Method 2: Cutting it
Against the Grain Tenderizing time: Immediate
Overall rating: 8/10
Pros:
Simple: Requires only a knife and knowledge
of grain direction.
Effective Post-Cooking: Can salvage a tough
steak by cutting against the grain.
Cons:
Limited Application: Not effective for all steak
types.
.

5. Method 3: Pounding it With
a Meat Mallet Tenderizing time: Immediate
Overall rating: 7/10
Pros:
Simple: Only requires a meat mallet.
Cons:
Limited Use: Best for heavily seasoned or
breaded dishes like chicken fried steak, not
ideal for traditional steak dishes.
.

6. Method 4: Using Baking Soda
Tenderizing time: 30 minutes
Overall rating: 8/10
Pros:
Simple: Just apply baking soda, rinse after 30
minutes, and dry.
Quick: It's a fast way to tenderize steak.
Cons:
Flavor impact: Excessive baking soda or too
long a soak can alter the steak’s taste
negatively.
.

7. Method 5: Using Pineapple
Tenderizing time: 45 minutes
Overall rating: 9/10
Pros:
Effectiveness: Highly effective for tenderizing
steak quickly.
Speed: One of the fastest methods available.
Cons:
Preparation: Requires time and the right
equipment for processing pineapple.
Texture: Prevents formation of a crispy crust
due to excessive juiciness.
.

8. Method 6: Using Papaya
Tenderizing time: 45 minutes
Overall rating: 8/10
Pros:
Speed: Quickly tenderizes steak.
Flavor: Unripe papaya doesn’t alter steak’s
taste.
Cons:
Effort: Requires a blender for papaya.
Texture: Prevents forming a good crust on
steak.
.

9. Method 7: Pineapple and Salt
Tenderizing time: 12-24 hours
Overall rating: 10/10
Combining pineapple and salt for steak
tenderizing, while effective in softening the meat
and enhancing flavor, still fails to produce a
desirable crust. The pineapple is used first to
tenderize, then rinsed off, followed by salting
and refrigerating the steak overnight. Although
the crust issue remains, the dual method
significantly improves tenderness and taste.
This approach ranks best among tested
methods, with the main drawbacks being the
required time and effort, especially for blending
the pineapple.
.

11. Overall Summary and Conclusion
The best method for tenderizing steak involves
marinating it in pineapple for 45 minutes, then
rinsing, seasoning, and refrigerating overnight.
For quicker options, you can marinate in
pineapple or papaya, then season and cook
shortly after. If very pressed for time, a brief
pineapple marinade followed by immediate
cooking is also effective. Using only overnight
salting is least effective, especially for tougher
cuts, but can be improved by combining with
another tenderizing method.

12. Thank You !
Adam Wojtow
Founder and CEO of Steak Revolution