Quick Summary: If you are looking for the best meat tenderizers that get the job done in a short amount of time without a lot of hassle, then we suggest the Jaccard Supertender matic 48-Blade Meat Tenderizer. The Jaccard tenderizer reduces your cook time by as much as 40 percent and reduces shrinkage of your meat, which allows it to cook evenly. The razor-like blades help cut through connective tissue, making meat more tender and easier to digest.
One of the main selling points of all of our picks is they allow you to tenderize beef, pork, chicken, and wild game without using artificial chemicals are plant extracts.
Almost all brands bought in stores use bromelain (derived from pineapple) or papain (from papaya).
Both are natural enzymes and work just fine. However, they must be used in just the right amounts with careful timing to maintain the natural flavor of the meat being prepared. Get the right meat tenderizer appliance and you can skip all those marinades and powders.
These chef’s tools are used to break down connective tissues of both prime and the tough meat either manually as with a handheld meat tenderizer mallet or with cranked machines like the Weston Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber Tenderizer seen below.
Meat tenderizers that feature blades create heat channels that can reduce cooking time up to 40%. Our picks stand out because they are easy to use and clean.
We have all gathered the information you need to pick the best meat tenderizers for your needs so you can spend your time getting that prime Porterhouse ready for the grill.
Quick Navigation
- 10 Best Meat Tenderizers Comparison
- Reviews of 10 Best Meat Tenderizers
- Things to considering when buying a meat tenderizer
- Conclusion
10 Best Meat Tenderizers Comparison
 | 1. Jaccard Meat Tenderizer (Best overall)This handheld meat tenderizer has commercial grade razor-sharp stainless-steel stainless steel blades that are built for durability and performance. Comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. | Read Our Review |
 | 2. KLEMOO Meat Tenderizer (Best Budget)The ergonomic design and comfortable non-slip handle make it a to press down on the razor sharp blades, Top-rack dishwasher safe and comes with a plastic cover to keep your Klemoo sanitary and safe. | Read Our Review |
 | 3. Meat Tenderizer MalletThe non-Slip Silicone handle and premium grade mallet make the Cave Tools Mallet perfect for pounding steak and chicken as well as crushing ice or nuts. Great for pounding tough pieces of meat like flank steak. | Read Our Review |
 | 4. Weston Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber TenderizerTwo C Clamps enable you to mount the Weston to a counter up to 1.5” thick. Its rugged cast aluminum construction and heavy-duty crank ensure it will stand up to years of use. Great for making cubed steak without wearing out your hands. | Read Our Review |
 | 5. Chef-Master Meat Tenderizer ToolTruly a chef grade handheld tenderizer the Chef-Master creates heat channels that allow for greater absorption of marinade while reducing cooking time by 40%. Safety design keeps fingers way from blades. | Read Our Review |
 | 6. Norpro Grip-ez Stainless Steel Meat PounderHas 56 ultra sharp stainless steel blades that guarantee quality performance. One of the best features of the Koncle is that it requires little pressure to tenderize meat compared to others we used. The compact design allows for easy storage. | Read Our Review |
 | 7. Koncle Professional Needle Meat TenderizersLightweight aluminum mallet has two sides: a smooth flat side for pounding cutlets and a textured side for tenderizing. Easy to handle and fast cleanup. Has multiple storage options Comes with a lifetime limited warranty. | Read Our Review |
 | 8. KitchenAid Textured Aluminum Meat TenderizerThe Norpro TENDERIZERPRO meat tenderizer is compact but packs a real tenderizing punch. The spring loaded retractable blades puts your in complete control. | Read Our Review |
 | 9. Norpro Meat TENDERIZERPRO-BX TenderizerThe Norpro TENDERIZERPRO meat tenderizer is compact but packs a real tenderizing punch. The spring loaded retractable blades puts your in complete control. | Read Our Review |
 | 10. OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Bladed Meat TenderizerOne of the best meat tenderizers because of its attention to often overlooked details. Comfortable to told and its simplicity and effectiveness set the OXO apart from the pack. | Read Our Review |
Reviews of 10 Best Meat Tenderizers
The correct head size penetrates meat quicker and more thoroughly than if you use a tenderizer that has a head that is too large or too small.
To find the best meat tenderizers on the market, we compared the ratings and reviews of many products from the buyers and the experts. From the data we gathered, we narrowed our list down to these 10 kitchen utensils.
Best Overall
1. Jaccard Supertendermatic 48 Blade Meat Tenderizer
What You Will Love: We love this Jaccard meat tenderizer because it is not physically demanding like other tenderizers and it does not pose any dangers to overworking the meat. This Jaccard Supertendermatic also doesn’t cause a substantial amount of meat shrinkage as with other competitors.
The Jaccard supertendermatic 48 blade is available with 45 or 48 blades that easily pierce the meat. These stainless steel blades are great to use with a variety of meat, including beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and more.
The good news is that it’s easy to use, making it the ideal tenderizer for everyone to have in their kitchen. You use the Jaccard Supertendermatic like a rubber stamp. You press the top of the tenderizer and the blades easily penetrate the meat, cutting your prep time in half.
This tenderizer has removable parts, including the cartridge which makes it easy to clean. These removable parts are dishwasher safe. Since the cartridge is removable, replacing it, if the time ever comes, is simple and effortless.
There are two different Jaccard supertendermatic 48 blade tenderizers. One model is black, and the other is white. The only difference between the two is the way they are disassembled. The black models do not require tools for full disassembly, but the white models require a screwdriver.
The Jaccard supertendermatic 48 blade tenderizer is less expensive as compared to other tenderizers, which makes it a handy kitchen utensil to have that’s well worth the money.
Pros:
- It allow marinades, brines, and spice rubs to thoroughly penetrate the meat
- The spices are not stuck solely on the surface of the meat and the flavor is enhanced by tenderizing the spices throughout the meat
- Cooking time is reduced by as much as 40 percent
Cons:
- It does not make meat flat
- Certain dishes, such as chicken-fried steak, difficult to make
Best Value
2. KLEMOO Meat Tenderizer Tool – 48 Ultra Sharp Needle Stainless Steel Blades
What You Will Love: We chose the KLEMOO meat tenderizer tool as the best value tenderizer because of its abundance of features and reasonable price. This KLEMOO product offers many safety and replacement features. This has a lot to offer for the least amount of money.
This product offers 48 razor-sharp, needle-like blades that can tenderize many types of meat, including chicken, pork, beef, and more, which makes it a must-have tool in your kitchen.
You can see the difference in the texture and taste the difference in the tenderness of the meat as compared to your current method of texturing.
The KLEMOO tenderizer tool uses tiny heat channels that go inside the meat and disintegrate the connective tissues, producing a much more enjoyable dining experience, as well as a more comfortable digestion period.
After this tool is used for a maximum of 5 minutes, the spices, marinades, and other seasonings are absorbed, making tender meat savory and evenly seasoned throughout.
Although the heat channels of the KLEMOO tool are small, they can penetrate the toughest cuts of meat, making the meat a tender delicacy that may have saved you a little money.
This meat softener speeds up your cooking time by at least 40 percent, which means your food is evenly and thoroughly cooked in almost half the time, which also helps reduce the common issue of meat shrinkage.
Less meat shrinkage means a more ideal portion size, and that’s awesome! For these reasons, we find the KLEMOO needle tenderizer stunning.
KLEMOO Meat Tenderizer is equipped with an impressive functional design that allows you to avoid hand cramping thanks to the non-slip handle.
Another great perk of using the KLEMOO kitchen tool is that you don’t have to exert a lot of force to get the desired results. All it takes is a press, and the tiny, sharp blades will do the rest.
Pros:
- Affordable and of high-quality
- It brings out the flavors of the meat without sacrificing texture, shape, or features for the price
- This tenderizer also helps minimize the time you spend cooking
Cons:
- Not suitable for thick cuts of meat
- Blades are too short to penetrate meat from top to bottom.
Best Meat Tenderizer Hammer
3. Cave Meat Mallet – Manual Hammer Pounder For Tenderizing Chicken Steak Pork & Veal
What You Will Love: This hammer style mallet tool is ideal if you’re looking for a tenderizer with a non-slip grip. We love this tool because it has a variety of uses and purposes, including making meat the perfect texture and size for a variety of meals. The non-slip grip almost makes it perfect.
If you’re looking for a meat softener that doesn’t disintegrate meat fibers but enhances it with flavors, the blade tenderizer mallet tool is ideal for all of your cooking projects.
If you want
Country fried steak and cordon bleu are just a couple of succulent meals that you can look forward to making with this meat softener. If you’re concerned about washing it, don’t be.
This mallet tool is dishwasher safe thanks to its sturdy stainless steel head and soft, rubbery, silicone handle. Being dishwasher safe means you can thoroughly sanitize this mallet and have peace of mind because you don’t have to worry about bacteria and other harmful pathogens.
What’s better than one? Two! Cave Tenderizer meat tenderizer mallet tool has two sides, one for flattening meat and another for tenderizing meat.
If you’re looking to get inspired in the kitchen, this soft grip hammer comes with a step-by-step guidebook full of recipes! In addition to the recipe book, there are video tutorials you can reference to help you mix up your meal menu and try new things.
Pros:
- This blade tenderizer mallet tool is versatile and multifunctional
- Besides the non-slip soft grip handle helps to prevent serious injuries
- Easy to use and to store
Cons:
- It is a little more expensive than other products that are available on the market
Best Hand Crank Meat Tenderizer
4. Weston Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber Tenderizer
What You Will Love: We like the Western Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber Tenderizer because it is awesome for mass production, such as for a restaurant or for preparing for a large family gathering. It has over 20 stainless steel blades that help make your meat the perfect texture and size every time.
The Weston Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber is the ideal tool to use for making cubed steak and chicken fried steak.
If you’re preparing for a large family gathering, this is the ideal tool to use, especially if you have a little help to form a short assembly line.
Because of its durable metal design and stainless steel teeth, mass production is a breeze because you don’t have to worry about the machine jamming. If you like to hunt or are a food guru, you will do well with this tool in your kitchen.
Are you preparing a large holiday meal? Weston Manual heavy duty meat softener is on your team and will help make things happen. This meat tenderizer machine can tenderize pounds of meat at a time. Just by turning the crank handle you can prepare a large amount of meat in a short amount of time.
Although the Western Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber can tenderize large masses of meat, it is still small enough to easily store. More is sometimes better, and this meat tenderizer tool comes equipped with one pair of shiny, stainless steel tongs.
These tongs help you place meat in the tenderizer without using your hands, which prevents serious injuries. Tenderizing your meats are the primary way to reduce cooking time, and this device gets the job done.
Weston Manual tenderizer helps you to get the most from the seasonings and marinades that you use by allowing you to evenly distribute them throughout the meat. If you’re worried about chemicals from the machine entering your food, the manufacturers coated the devices in
Pros:
- It features a compact design that allows for easy and effortless storage
- The parts of this tenderizer are dishwasher safe
- The finish on it is food-safe and will not mix in with food.
Cons:
- In order to clean this meat tenderizer, it needs to be taken apart and placed in a dishwasher
- It is also much more expensive than other meat tenderizers on the market.
Best Bladed Meat Tenderizer
5. Chef-Master Meat Tenderizer Tool, Stainless Steel Sharp Needle Blade
What You Will Love: We chose the Chef-Master Professional Meat Tenderizer because it meets the sanitation standards of ETL, and it is dishwasher safe. If you’re in a hurry, the Chef-Master will tenderize your tough meat to tender meat, which lets you get back to other important matters.
This Chef-Master Professional product provides a firm grip handle that prevents injuries, as well as, provides a slip-proof grip for fast and thorough tenderizing.
With over 40 razor-sharp penetrating stainless steel blades, the meat releases natural flavors which help give the meat wonderful taste.
This tool features a professional design that offers a solution for the toughest cut of meat, making it ideal for cooks and chefs of all experience levels. The good news is that using this meat tenderizer tool is hassle free.
Although it’s only available in red, it’s a lightweight solution to tenderizing your meat without a lot of hassle. There are no harmful materials used in making this tenderizing device, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals and other harmful materials in or around your food.
A dishwasher-safe meat tenderizer is a happy one and so are the users of the device. This professional meat tenderizer can tenderize any type of meat with ease and perfection, but constant use of it will cause it to have to be replaced every two years or sooner, depending on how much you use it.
If you need a meat tenderizer for occasional or periodic use, the Chef-Master Professional Meat Tenderizer will be happy in your kitchen.
Pros:
- This tenderizer does not need to be assembled or disassembled for proper use or to get your desired results
- This meat softener is easy to use and gives you near perfect results in a short period of time.
Cons:
- Chef-Master Professional product is more expensive than others
- Lasts a short period of time if it is frequently used.
Best For Small Size
6. Norpro Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Pounder
What You Will Love: We chose the Norpro Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Pounder because it’s small but powerful. If you’re looking for a smaller addition to your kitchen family, the Norpro Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Pounder was made with you in mind. It doesn’t take a bulky machine to tenderize meat.
If you’re looking for a meat softener that will not tear or shred your meat, the Norpro Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Pounder is what you’re looking for.
Due to its large, circular base, and short stature, your meat can achieve a uniform thickness, which promotes even cooking of your meat.
Although this meat pounder has an appearance like nothing you may have ever seen in anyone’s kitchen, it transfers kinetic energy, which you need to effectively pound for more even distribution when you are beating meat. This meat tenderizer is easy to use and is more effective than many of the products that are similar.
If you’re inclined to beat the meat flat, the Norpro Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Pounder will help you achieve that goal. This meat tenderizer features stainless steel material, which makes it easy to clean and sanitize, as opposed to other popular finishes, such as aluminum.
Thanks to the stainless steel finish, this tool lasts longer and you don’t have to worry about rusting. There is a rubber handle that prevents slipping, which in turn, prevents injuries. You can shape the meat while you are pounding it, which is amazing!
It is great for home cooks, chefs, and anyone who wishes to use it. Ideally, you will not get stressed out while using this tenderizer, and you will not have to wait for the desired results.
Pros:
- It is lightweight, yet can handle heavy-duty jobs
- Easy to hold
- Helps to shape meat
Cons:
- This tenderizer is great for only small pieces of meat, which limits your choices
Best Commercial Meat Tenderizer
7. Koncle COMINHKPR139122 Professional Tenderizer Mallet
What You Will Love: We chose the Koncle Professional Needle Meat Tenderizer because it features stainless steel blades and other high-quality materials that are durable. It is safe to clean in any dishwasher and fits almost anywhere. It makes for a cute and space-saving addition to your kitchen family.
Are you considering entering a food challenge or cooking contest? If so, this best meat tenderizer is waiting for you.
The Koncle Professional Needle Meat Tenderizer tenderizes meat quickly and evenly, leaving you with a piece of meat that is full of natural, flavorful juices. Not only is it easy to use,
All cuts of meat will be tender and will hold all of the flavors you add, even if you’re working with a tough cut of meat.
The Koncle Professional Needle Meat Tenderizer is made from durable materials that allow you to tear through meat the way you see fit to get through the tough connective tissues and the meat fiber, making it tender and juicy.
This meat tenderizer has over 45 blades that are ultra-sharp and allow you to create a flavorful, tender work of art. Regardless of your chef status or cooking experience, this meat tenderizer tool can help because it is designed to help everyone.
Perhaps you are aspiring to be the world’s greatest chef or just brushing up on your skills. Due to the razor-sharp blades, this tenderizer penetrates meat with ease, which promotes flavor throughout instead of flavor resting on the surface of the meat.
Pros:
- Easy to use and safe
- It is easy to clean and store without any hassles
- You can store it almost anywhere
- There is a built-in safety lock that helps prevents injuries.
Cons:
- If this device is not handled with care, severe injuries can occur
- The blades can become stuck inside the chamber, which can be difficult and dangerous to fix
Best Aluminum Tenderizer
8. KitchenAid Textured Aluminum Meat Tenderizer Mallet
What you will love: Though the design is simple and the KitchenAid meat tenderizer costs less than most we have reviewed, it far more that it first appears.
This style tenderizer combines a classic look with solid construction. The KitchenAid Textured Aluminum Meat Tenderizer is made with solid aluminum so it is lightweight yet stronger than much larger and heavier mallets.
KitchenAid mallet has everything you could want in a mallet. It is constructed with sturdy aluminum that makes for a strong and easy to handle. The handle has slip resistant comfortable inlays.
Though unlikely, should your mallet be damaged or found defective in any way, a 1-year warranty comes with each KitchenAid Meat Tenderizer
The mallet head has two unique surfaces, one for pounding and the other for tenderizing. The only negative thing about this product is that it has to be hand washed.
However, this meat mallet comes with a 1-year warranty that covers any damages or defects that may occur while in use.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Dual surfaced head for tenderizing and pounding
- Loophole to hang the mallet next to work area or away from sight. Easy to handle
Cons:
- Must be handwashed
Best Lightweight Meat Tenderizer
9. Norpro Lightweight Meat Tenderizer
What you will love: This is a versatile and truly lightweight meat tenderizer tool that is comfortable to hold.
Measuring 4.75″ x 3.25″ x 3.25″ and weighing 28 ounces, this appliance is constructed of high quality stainless steel over iron, making it light yet durable. You will discover this tool is easy to lift and use.
The ergonomic Santoprene handle is comfortable and provides a good grip ensuring your Norpro doesn’t end up landing on anything (or anyone) beside where you wanted it to..
The Norpro Lightweight pounds meat to a uniform thickness regardless of light or heavy you pound. This is one kitchen appliance that is virtually indestructible.
Good for pounding rough cuts of meat but also gentle on a premium cut. Unlike many of blade devices, the TENDERIZERPRO-BX will not break through chicken, thus leaving it tender without being mangled. This is also a great tool for crushing nuts and hard candies.
Pros:
- Vertical design that offers just the right combination of control and force
- Easy to grip even when wet
- Dishwasher safe or can be washed with soap and running water
Cons:
- May a bit too hard to handle for some
- Nothing to saw bad except perhaps the cardboard it comes in.
Easy-Clean Meat Tenderizer
10. OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Bladed Meat Tenderizer
What you will love: The company’s attention to detail ensures you have a consistently satisfying experience using its meat tenderizer. There is no compromise with the finer details that make all the difference. Elegant and easy to use.
OXO meat tenderizer has a clear base that allows you to see indents left in meat to make sure they are uniform. Straight edges also provide easy sight of the position of blades. Ensures meat retains its natural juices while cooking faster. You can forget overnight marinating.
The 50 precision blades are covered when locked ensuring safety. Also takes up less space in storage. Durable but lightweight allowing prolonged use without wearing your hand in the process.
Key features are:
- 5o ultra sharp teeth that create tiny cooking channels. The durable blades create pockets to cut down on marinating and cooking time, letting meat retain its natural juices.
- Ensures uniform cooking time.
- Contoured shape and non-slip grip
- Clear base that allows you to see indents left in the meat
- Recessed toggle lock won’t unlock on its own and keeps blades covered for compact, safe.
Pros:
- Thick blades that flatten meat
- Controlled action
- Easy to clean
- Works exceptionally well with pork
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Prongs sometimes don’t out back easily when meat is cold
Things to considering when buying a meat tenderizer
The least expensive meat tenderizer may not always the better option, but the most expensive one does not guarantee satisfaction either.
Considering the specifics that you have in mind, it’s always best to read the labels and find out what each tenderizer offers. You don’t want to purchase more features than you need or lack the ones that you do.
Weight
The weight of a meat tenderizer matters because it determines how easy it is for the blades to penetrate the meat and how quickly the job is done.
You also need to make sure that you are comfortable when you’re holding the tenderizer to prevent injuries. It should not be too light or too heavy. The best tenderizer for you will not wear you out or cause you to strain to use it.
Blades
Check the blades of the tenderizer before you purchase it. Blades that are too sharp shred meat and can cause serious injuries. Choose a tenderizer that has short blades to prevent the meat from spoiling while you’re preparing it.
Whether you choose an electric tenderizer or one that is manual, stainless steel blades are best
Material
The material you choose depends on the meat you intend to tenderize. A tenderizing tool can be made of wood, metal, marble, ABS plastic or rubber. Depending on the meat, tenderizers made of wood can stain easily.
Plastic tenderizing tools can break easily if they are made with sub-par materials. The material that is used to make a tenderizer determines its longevity.
Handle
The handle of a tenderizing tool, such as a meat tenderizer hammer, is important because it determines how well you are able to use the tool.
A good grip means you can grip the tool properly and get the desired results. If you’re concerned about the tenderizer slipping from your hands, a rubber grip is best.
Design
The design you choose is a matter of personal preference. Some tenderizers have square heads while others have round ones. The design does not determine how well the product works. There are a variety of meat tenderizers available that come in different shapes and sizes.
Size of the Head
The size of the head determines how long it takes to tenderize the meat to your liking. Considering the head of the tenderizer helps you work smarter, not harder.
Conclusion
So, we’ve come to the end of our journey to find the best meat tenderizer. We hope you’ve found our article helpful and that you now have a better idea of which product is right for you.
Remember, when it comes to choosing a meat tenderizer, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every cook has their own preferences, and what works for one person may not work for another.
So, take the time to read reviews and compare products before making your decision. And, most importantly, have fun experimenting in the kitchen! Who knows, you might just discover a new favorite recipe along the way.
