When working with red meat like beef or goat meat, spices aren’t the only important things. You also need to pay close attention to the meat, because you’d want it to be tender and easy to chew, right?

There are actually several ways to tenderize meat. One of the most common ways is to boil it. But this process can take hours, and this isn’t very good if you’re the type of person who loves to keep things fast and simple. Plus, this boiling process can make your meat go too dry and affect its flavors.

The other ways include using meat tenderizers that will quickly destroy the peptide bonds in the meat to make it tender. But if you don’t like the idea of using synthetic tenderizer, why don’t you try one of the following natural tenderizers? Aside from being … well – natural, these tenderizers are very easy to find around you. So what are they?

Papaya leaf

Papaya leaf is one of the most popular meat tenderizer, because it has an enzyme called papain that can quickly turn your tough meat into tender one. All you need to do is prepare some leaves and lightly crush them before wrapping them around your meat for about 10 minutes. You can cook the meat however you want afterwards.

Pineapple

Pineapples have an ezyme called bromelain that hydrolizes peptide bonds in meat. Grate one pineapple to extract the enzyme, and cover your meat with it. Let the meat sit for 20-30 minutes in a container, and rinse it off before being cooked.

Cola

The carbonated drink contains acids that will fasten the tenderizing process in meat. Marinate your meat in cola for at least 30 minutes before being cooked. Aside from making the meat tenderer, cola also contains sugar that will add unique flavors to the meat.

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Tomato sauce

Just like cola, tomato sauce contains acids that fasten the tenderizing process. Cover your meat with tomato sauce, and let it sit for a few minutes. But you’d better use this method if you plan on cooking the meat and tomato sauce together, as the sauce will affect the meat’s flavor.

Tea

Tea can also tenderize meat, thanks to its tannin. Brew tea as usual, and use it as a marinade. Leave your meat for a few minutes before you cook it.

Ginger

Not only will it enrich the flavor of your meat, ginger also has the proteolytic enzyme that serves as meat tenderizer. Take several spoons of ground ginger, and rub it onto the surface of your meat. Leave it for several minutes before you cook the meat.

Which methods have you ever tried before? Now that you can easily tenderize any meat using these natural tenderizers, how about cooking something special with it? Then make it tastier and higher in fiber with @FiberCreme . Still no idea what to make? Then head over to @FiberCreme_TV on Instagram or click here to find lots of inspirational and easy recipes that you can try right now!

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