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What is a Meat Pounder?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A meat pounder is a kitchen tool which is designed to tenderize meat. Meat pounders are called for in some classic recipes, when people need very thin, tender meats, and they are also very handy for handling tough meats like abalone. Many kitchen supply stores sell meat pounders; if it's an emergency, you can also approximate a meat pounder with a mallet or hammer.

Most meat pounders are lightweight, so that they do not damage the meat as they are used. Some have ridged surfaces which are designed to penetrate the meat; these surfaces also make the surface of the meat uneven, allowing it to pick up marinades and sauces more easily. Typically, both sides of a cut of meat are pounded to ensure full penetration with the meat pounder, and then the meat can be marinated or dredged in breading for cooking.

A meat pounder.
A meat pounder.

Metal is a common material for meat pounders, since it is very easily to sterilize. It is also possible to find plastic pounders, which may not hold up as well in the long term. In the case of a metal meat pounder, the handle may be outfitted with a grip made from silicone or a similar material so that it is less likely to slip as it is used. It is also not uncommon for a meat pounder to have a small hole in the handle so that it may be hung from a peg in the kitchen.

Abalone meat is typically tenderized with a mallet or pounder before it is prepared.
Abalone meat is typically tenderized with a mallet or pounder before it is prepared.

Using a meat pounder does not require very much skill. The important thing to remember is that it is possible to pound meat too much; if you are too heavy handed with a meat pounder, you can pierce holes in a thin cut of meat, which can make it difficult to handle or cook. The idea is to tenderize, rather than pulverize, the meat, making it more pleasant to eat.

Bleach, mixed with hot water, is suggested for cleaning meat pounders after use.
Bleach, mixed with hot water, is suggested for cleaning meat pounders after use.

If a meat pounder is not readily available, you can use a hammer or mallet. Because these tools tend to be heavier than a typical meat pounder, you should wield them more delicately so that the meat is not damaged. You can also insulate the blows of the meat pounder by wrapping the meat in a clean towel before pounding it; if you'd rather not get a towel dirty, wrap the meat in heavy plastic and then a towel or old t-shirt.

Meat pounders are used to make meat more tender.
Meat pounders are used to make meat more tender.

Since meat pounders are used with raw meat, it is important to make sure that they are thoroughly cleaned after use. Hot water and bleach or a similar disinfectant are highly recommended, and you may want to consider ease of cleaning when you purchase a meat pounder. Avoid one with lots of small holes and crannies for bacteria to hide in, and look for one that is dishwasher safe to make cleanup even easier.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

John57

If you are going to invest in a meat tenderizer tool, I would definitely go with a metal one. I used to have a plastic one, and it was not very high quality and just looked and felt cheap. They are not that expensive anyway, but a metal tenderizer will last you for years and years.

You can get a little carried away when tenderizing - don't take too much of your frustration out on the meat!, Just a little bit can really make a big difference.

honeybees

My metal meat pounder used to be kept in my bottom kitchen drawer. But once I realized just how much more tender your meat can be and how much easier it is to cook thinner slices of meat, I keep it in my main kitchen utensil drawer.

I love chicken on the grill, but never like the big pieces that take so long to cook through. I will usually cut them in half and use the meat pounder tenderizer to make them thin. They cook very quickly and are very tender when done.

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    • A meat pounder.
      By: VolkOFF-ZS-BP
      A meat pounder.
    • Abalone meat is typically tenderized with a mallet or pounder before it is prepared.
      By: kei u
      Abalone meat is typically tenderized with a mallet or pounder before it is prepared.
    • Bleach, mixed with hot water, is suggested for cleaning meat pounders after use.
      By: design56
      Bleach, mixed with hot water, is suggested for cleaning meat pounders after use.
    • Meat pounders are used to make meat more tender.
      By: Michael Gray
      Meat pounders are used to make meat more tender.