Stir-fried meat is a common dish in daily meals, ranging from stir-fried pork to beef and chicken. Stir-frying meat with vegetables and fruits adds flavor and boosts the nutritional value of the meal. However, many people struggle with making their stir-fried meat dry and tough. There are several reasons why stir-fried meat can become tough, such as overcooking, leading to tough and dry meat, or prolonged stir-frying, especially with partially thawed meat.
To ensure your stir-fried meat dishes turn out delicious and tender, keep the following tips in mind:
Choosing the Right Meat: When purchasing meat for stir-frying, opt for fresh meat that has been recently butchered and shows no signs of spoilage. If using meat from the freezer, ensure it is completely thawed before cooking. Partially thawed meat will turn mushy and dry due to temperature shock. When preparing pork or beef for children and adults, you can gently pound the meat with the blunt side of a knife to tenderize it. Always remember to cut the meat across the grain to avoid toughness.
Tender Stir-fried Meat with Beer
Secrets to Tender Stir-fried Meat:
Use Cornstarch or Potato Starch: When marinating the meat before stir-frying, add a small amount of cooking oil and either cornstarch or potato starch to create a thin coating on the surface of the meat. The combination of oil and starch will help retain moisture and tenderness during cooking. Alternatively, you can mix the starch with the stir-fry sauce and pour it over the meat while cooking to achieve a similar effect.
Beer as a Tenderizer: When marinating the meat, add a small amount of beer to the mixture. Beer has a unique ability to break down proteins, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat. The beer also enhances the aroma of the dish. The yeast in beer aids in protein breakdown.
Appetizing Stir-fried Meat Dish
Coca-Cola to the Rescue: Coca-Cola can also work wonders in tenderizing meat. The acidity in the drink helps break down the tough fibers, resulting in more tender meat.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adding a small amount of sweetened condensed milk to your stir-fried meat can also contribute to its tenderness. If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to add a bit more. This trick is commonly used in restaurants to ensure juicy and tender meat dishes. It is especially effective when preparing grilled meat.
Stir-frying Technique for Tender Meat:
Stir-fried beef and pork are typically cut into thin slices, which cook quickly. Overcooking these meats will result in dry, tough, and chewy textures, as the connective tissues break down. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to the heat and cooking time.
Heat your wok or pan, add some oil, and sauté aromatics like garlic or ginger. Then, quickly toss in the meat and reduce the heat. Two to three minutes of cooking is usually sufficient, after which you can turn off the heat and continue stirring to allow the residual heat to cook the meat gently. This method ensures the meat remains tender, juicy, and flavorful. If you’re stir-frying vegetables along with the meat, cook the vegetables first, then add the pre-cooked meat towards the end and mix everything together.
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Many people tend to overcook meat, resulting in tough, dry meat, especially lean cuts. Knowing this trick ensures that your meat dish is juicy and tender, a true delight for your taste buds.
