How to Use Meat Tenderizer in a Restaurant

What does meat tenderizer do?

Tough meat comes from muscle fibres and the connective tissue that holds them together, which shows most in cheaper cuts and in meat cooked fast on a grill or over charcoal. Commercial tenderizers generally work with enzymes that break down part of that protein; the best known come from fruits such as papaya and pineapple. The meat cooks faster and eats softer, which is why meat tenderizer powder is a staple in steak, grill and stew restaurants.

The same strength is the risk: the enzyme does not stop at "just right". Too much powder or too long a rest breaks the fibres down too far and the meat turns mushy. How you use it matters more than the product itself.

How to use meat tenderizer step by step

Weigh the meat. The dose is per kilo, so never work by eye.
Pick the dose for the meat: imported beef 50 g per 1 kg, local beef 25–30 g per 1 kg, chicken 25 g per 1 kg.
Mix it with the marinade: local beef and chicken with the marinade; imported beef with a liquid marinade only, so it spreads evenly.
Spread it evenly so every piece gets its share.
Thick cuts: pierce them with a fork or thin knife so the marinade reaches inside.
Don't extend the time beyond your usual marinating time.

Worked examples

10 kg imported beef for steak = 500 g tenderizer with a liquid marinade.
10 kg local beef for kebab or stews = 250–300 g.
10 kg chicken = 250 g.

Mistakes that make meat mushy

Adding "a bit extra" — more powder gives broken-down meat, not softer meat.
Marinating too long — the enzyme keeps working as long as the meat sits in it.
A very acidic marinade on top — vinegar, lemon and yogurt also tenderize.
One dose for every meat — local beef needs less than imported, chicken less again.

Grills, steak and stews

Tenderizer lets cheaper cuts work for steak and escalope, shortens grilling time and saves gas in stews. For a steady meat taste in cooked dishes it can be used alongside meat flavor stabilizer. Naturally tender cuts such as fillet, and minced meat, usually don't need it. The Al Laith team can help you set the dose for a specific meat or marinade.

Available in 1 kg and 5 kg packs and 15 and 25 kg bags, delivered to every governorate in Egypt. Send us your restaurant type and quantity on WhatsApp for a quote.