Best Meat Mallet Reviews in 2021 [Top 10 Model Revealed]

When it comes to cooking any sort of meat, especially red meat, there is nothing more frustrating than having to spend hours waiting for it to cook through properly.

Not only does this make our feet cramp, but it also results in the meat losing its juices and flavor as well as all the nutrients. This is where a meat mallet comes in.

A meat mallet is used to tenderize pieces of meat to make it softer, juicer, and taste better. Tenderizing meat will also help it to be easy to chew, digest, and make the most of any cut of meat.

Now, before you go get yourself a meat mallet, it is important to learn about its features and specifications. To help you do so, we have picked and reviewed the best meat mallets available in the market.

If you want to learn more about these incredible kitchen utensils, then continue reading.

Best Meat Mallet Reviews

Here we have picked and reviewed the top 10 meat mallets currently available in the market to help you pick the best gadget for your needs. Keep reading to find more about them.

1. Jaccard 200348 Supertendermatic 48 Blade Tenderizer

We wanted to start the list by introducing you to the best meat tenderizer machine, which is the 200348 Supertendermatic by Jaccard. Jaccard is one of those well-known brands that are the first choice by most professional chefs and for good reasons too.

This incredible stainless steel meat tenderizer has been constructed with 48 sharp blades that will allow you to get the work done super quick. Working on different types and cuts of meat requires different sorts of tools.

And this tool has been specifically made for making the process of tenderizing cheaper or tougher cuts of meat a lot easier. What this tool does is it creates small heat channels that help to tenderize the meat. It pierces the meat up to 4 inches deep and does so equally throughout the exposed portion.

Thanks to these features, we noticed that this tenderizer delivers an astounding 600% improved absorption rate and reduces the cooking time. In fact, if you use this tenderizer, you will notice that cooking cheap or tough meats will take up to 40% less time than usual.

Given the meat is able to absorb the marination better and will require less time to cook, it will be able to preserve its juices and flavor, resulting in a better-tasting dish. Not only that, but this tenderizer actually helps to let the meat cook evenly throughout and reduces shrinkage.

Now, this meat tenderizer is made out of high-grade ABS plastic, so it is able to give you service for a long period of time. It has a compact shape and size, which makes the tool easy to use. It is the ideal tenderizer for any kind of boneless meat, and we loved that the blades do not leave any unwanted marks on the meat.

2. OXO Meat Tenderizer

Up next, we have a basic meat ballet, which can be considered as the perfect addition for any household. If you are looking for a budget-friendly yet efficient meat tenderizer, then you should definitely check out the OXO Meat Tenderizer.

This meat mallet has four sides, out of which, three are flat, and one is textured. The flat sides were meant to be used to level the meat, while the textured side was designed to tenderize the meat. This tool is ideal for someone who doesn’t cook a lot or in big portions.

In other words, this tool isn’t the ideal go-to one for when you have to cook for a lot of guests or when organizing a party. If you ask us, this is the ideal tool for someone who likes to work with thin slaps of meat.

When it comes to the design and performance of this meat tenderizer, we were pleasantly surprised to see how well they’re doing in both aspects, especially considering its price point.

It comes in a nice and compact size and features an anti-slip yet soft handle that helps you have full control over the tool even if your hands are wet. The device is really lightweight. In fact, it only weighs about 400gms, so you will not have to worry about your hands cramping up when you use it.

Well, as much as we love the size of the product, we should inform you that the small size of the product leads to having to spend more time on flattening or tenderizing the meat. But that being said, the small nature of the tool, along with the design, makes it easy to clean.

Moreover, it is dishwasher-friendly, so that makes it even easier to clean.

3. Norpro Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Pounder

If you are in search of the best meat pounder, then we have just the right product for you. The Grip-EZ Stainless Steel Meat Tenderizer by Norpro. With this product in hand, you will not have to worry about spending an extended period of time pounding thick cuts of meat.

The Grip-EZ was designed to allow you to give accuracy in shaping the pieces of meat while pounding them. You will notice how using this device will significantly reduce the amount of time you otherwise had to spend on working on the meat.

What we really appreciated about this tool is its design. It has a very simple yet sleek design, which gives it a premium feel. The vertical design makes it comfortable to use by both right-handed and left-handed people. It is small yet sturdy.

This allows it to be able to handle quick or massive tasks with precision and ease. The handle of the tool was carefully constructed, and you will be able to tell this from the very first time you hold it. It features a solid yet easy to grip handle that will allow you to work continuously without making your hands hurt.

Moreover, the handle is also slip-resistant, so you will not have to worry about the tool slipping out of your hands while working.

Now, the best part about this device is that it comes with two separate stamps that you can interchange depending on your needs. One is made for pounding and flattening the meat, while the other is a spiked one to tenderize your meat.

Both the stamps are made out of high-grade stainless steel and iron to ensure that the tool will be durable. All these features for under 20 bucks makes the tool too good to not purchase.

4. Spring Chef Meat Tenderizer

Are you tired of finding meat mallets that are either too big to handle or too small to exert the right amount of force? Fear not, for we may have the perfect solution for the problem. Let us introduce you to the Meat Tenderizer by Spring Chef. This is a meat mallet that is shaped like a hammer.

It comes with two sides, a smooth side to pound or flatten the meat and a textured side to tenderize the meat. You may wonder what’s so special about a mallet that has the same features as the rest.

Well, this mallet is featured with an extra-long handle that will deliver you with the extra amount of force when you are tenderizing or pounding the meat.

Thanks to the extra force provided by the long handle, you will require a lot less time as well as effort when you prep the meat. Moreover, the handle is made with anti-slip material that will allow you to work with it comfortably without having to worry about any mishaps or accidents.

The mallet is made out of solid aluminum, which has a chrome plating. Not only does this help it to be durable by protecting it from water damage or scratches, but it also makes it super easy to use. The use of aluminum helps the tool to be lightweight, which reduces fatigue while working with it.

As a matter of fact, you will not tire your hands even if you work on a lot of meat if you use this gadget. Additionally, the use of these materials ensures that the mallet will not get any meat stuck on it. Moreover, it makes the clean-up process a lot simpler.

5. XSpecial Meat Tenderizer Tool

Allow us to present you with the best meat tenderizer mallet in the market – the Meat Tenderizer Tool by XSpecial. This comb style mallet has been carefully designed to deliver you with the best performance as well as convenience.

This gadget consists of 48 extremely sharp stainless steel blades that successfully pierces through the meat with ease. Once you start using this tool, you will notice how efficient it is in delivering the softest cuts of meat. Since the tool is made out of stainless steel, it is easily able to penetrate through any type and cut of meat.

The best feature of this meat tenderizer is definitely its extra-long, super-thin blades. What sets it apart from other tenderizers is that you can retract the blades after penetrating the meat. Thanks to this feature, you will end up with succulent meat and won’t risk damaging the meat.

And this also allows the tool to get into the meat fully, no matter how thick it is. We were pleased to find that by using this tool to tenderize the meat, the meat takes about 40% less time to cook itself. This results in a meat that is packed with all its natural flavors and juices.

Furthermore, it allows the marinade to fully penetrate the meat. In fact, by using this device, you can turn any meat no matter what cut it is into a mouthwatering dish. The construct of this guitar is also noteworthy.

While the stainless steel allows it to deliver superior performance, it also helps the tool to have a long lifespan. The ABC-free handle of the tool allows it to be comfortable and easy to use.

As a matter of fact, even people with arthritis will be able to use this incredible device without facing trouble. Does it get any better than this?

6. Checkered Chef Meat Tenderizer

Having difficulties in tenderizing or pounding tough pieces of meat? Worry no more because here we have an expertly designed meat tenderizer. Checkered Chef is well known for creating exceptional products, and their Meat Tenderizer is no exception.

There is nothing worse than having to wait for a prolonged period of time to get the meat to soften up or properly cook through. This is where the Meat Tenderizer by Checkered Chef comes in to solve your problems. This device was created to deliver convenience and fast results in getting super tenderized meat.

And this tenderizing hammer comes with two sides – a spiked side and a flat side to allow you to get two different jobs done with one simple tool.

What’s special about this hammer mallet is that it has been constructed with metal and non-stick coating in such a manner that it effectively works on the meat without squishing it to the point where it’s mushy.

Not only does the non-stick coating stop the utensil from getting meat stuck to it, but it also protects itself from corrosion.

Now, the use of metal gives it just the right amount of weight to let the tool do the job instead of having to exert a lot of force on our own. We were surprised to notice how quickly this tool was able to give us the desired results while working with a very tough and cheap cut of meat.

The tool was devised to be used by both right-handed and left-handed people with ease. It comes with a hold in the handle to allow you to safely hang it in your kitchen. Moreover, you can get this amazing tool at a very reasonable price point, which makes it the perfect addition to your kitchen utensils.

7. Ccfoud Meat Tenderizer

Next, we have the kind of tool that can easily pass as the best meat mallet in the market for its incredible performance and design. Allow us to introduce you to the Meat Tenderizer by Ccfoud. This device caught our attention as soon as we laid eyes on its incredible design, which screams out user convenience.

Unlike most of the meat mallets, this device comes with a handle on top of the blades to make it incredibly easy to use. The handle is made out of ABS plastic, which allows it to take the pressure without cracking it. We really liked how easy and comfortable it is to grip.

The 48 blades that are attached to this utensil is needle-like to allow it to pierce through the meat without changing its integrity or appearance. All of these blades are sharpened on both sides, which allows it to remain sharp for years.

Each of these stainless steel blades creates hot channels inside the flesh that allows the marinade to deeply penetrate the meat. Moreover, these hot channels allow the meat to be cooked quicker – 40% faster than the usual time to be exact.

Moreover, the marinade properly gets inside the meat, and the faster cooking time results in ending up with a lump of meat that’s a lot juicer and flavorsome. Surprisingly, the hot channels stop the marinade from overpowering the natural taste of the meat, which we absolutely loved.

As a safety precaution, the device was built in a manner where the blades only come out when it’s pressed. Additionally, it comes with a protective cover that not only keeps the gadget safe but also reduces the chances of accidents.

8. K BASIX Meat Tenderizer

Working with hammer style meat tenderizer may turn out to be a lot of work if it isn’t designed properly. You would obviously want a mallet that will effectively do most of the work. This is why we had to add the Meat Tenderizer by K Basix.

And this hammer styled meat mallet is considered as one of the best meat tenderizer mallets by experts. This cooking utensil is one that is considered to be an ideal addition to your kitchen. It comes with two faces – one textured side for tenderizer the meat while the smooth side is for pounding or flattening the meat.

From the first time you pick this tool up, you certainly will be able to tell how heavy-duty the gadget really is. It has been made using commercial grade stainless steel, which is heavy enough to break apart the connective tissue of the meat.

Moreover, this hammer will provide you with enough power to break up hard candies or nuts. Don’t let the heavy-duty hammer make you feel like it will be too heavy to work with. Despite being so powerful and robust, the tool is surprisingly lightweight.

Furthermore, the use of a soft rubber handle makes it even more comfortable to use. While the handle is soft, you should know that it will provide you with an ergonomic grip, which will help you have better control over the gadget.

By using commercial grade stainless steel, K Basix has guaranteed that the tool is protected against rust or corrosion. The addition of a soft rubber handle with a hole in the handle makes storing the tool hassle-free.

9. Westmark Germany Double-Sided Meat Tenderizer

In a market full of companies trying to win over customers with fancy designs, Westmark is all about delivering its customers with the best quality. This is exactly what they’re offering with their Double-Sided Meat Tenderizer.

Made out of high quality cast aluminum, Westmark has successfully created a high-quality and durable meat tenderizer. In fact, it has been rated as one of the best kitchen utensils available in the market, and that’s saying something.

Both the sides of this hammer mallet is equipped with spikes shaped with pyramids. These pyramid-shaped spikes help the tool properly tenderize the meat, while also stopping the meat from getting stuck to the tool.

You should know that the two sides have different designs – one features a coarse pyramid shape, while the other is more refined. This is to allow you to pick the intensity of the tenderizing process depending on the type of meat or the cut. The entire tool has been composed of cast aluminum – including the handle.

While that may suggest that the tool will be difficult to work with, we assure you that the grip design of the handle is more than enough to allow you to comfortably work with it. The use of aluminum helps to keep the tool from getting damaged from rust or corrosion.

Moreover, it makes the gadget extremely easy to clean up after use. Thus, if you are someone who is really into cooking or someone who appreciates a high-quality gadget, then you surely need to check this incredible tool out.

And in case of any problems, Westmark offers a 5-year warranty, so you really can’t go wrong with this one.

10. Norpro 7032 Meat Tenderizer

No matter what type of meat you like to work with, be it beef or fish, the 7032 Meat Tenderizer by Norpor will significantly enhance the quality of the texture of the meat. This means you will end up with a meal that tastes significantly better.

To start off, we wanted to talk about the compact and useful design of the device. It has a circular shape that sort of works like a buttoned pepper grinder. The small and effective design makes it the ideal tool to carry on the go.

This meat tenderizer has been made with 24 razor-sharp stainless steel prongs that have the ability to quickly pierce through the tough meat fibers. It is equipped with a two-inch heavyweight spring-loaded plastic disk that will allow you to have better control over the tenderizing process.

In order for you to tenderize the meat, you will have to press the plastic handle downwards, which will allow the prongs to go through the disk’s holes and pierce into the meat. Once you release the pressure, the prongs will go up and allow you to move onto the next section and get the work done in the same manner.

Now, this tool really gets inside the meat in a manner that makes it easier for the meat to absorb all the marinade. It also helps the meat to cook faster and more evenly, which guarantees a more flavorsome and juicy result.

The straight handle of the tool, as well as the weight, makes it easy to use, but the tool may require extra force when working on thicker cuts of meat.

How to Choose the Best Meat Mallet

There are certain things that you must learn about if you wish to find the best meat tenderizer. Let’s take a look at what those things are.

A) Types Of Mallets

Here are the different types of mallets.

1. Mallet-Style Meat Mallet

A mallet-style meat mallet is the one that looks like a hammer. It usually features two sides – one that has a smooth face to pound or flatten the meat, while the other has spikes or texture to tenderize the meat.

These sort of mallets helps to allow the meat to be softer and allows the marinade to get through the meat quickly. This style of the mallet is ideal for thinner cuts of meat as it may not be as effective on thicker cuts. It is also not the ideal choice of mallet if you need to work on a lot of meat, or are looking for a party.

2. Needle-Style Meat Mallet

Needle-style meat mallets, on the other hand, are the ideal tenderizer for both small and large cuts of meat. These tools come with razor-sharp blades, prongs, or needles that very effectively pierces through pieces of meat. In fact, these have the ability to easily cut through the hard strands of muscle tissues.

These mallets often create small heat channels inside the meat, which allows the marinades or seasoning to deeply penetrate inside the meat. It also helps to decrease the cooking time of the meat by up to 40%, which is incredible.

This results in the meat being able to retain most of its juices and flavor while also stops the meat from shrinking in size.

3. Blade-Style Meat Mallet

Most needle-style mallets come with an assembly of spring-loaded blades, which helps to make the process of tenderizing a lot safer as well as faster. The blades can either be arranged in a square design, in a tight circle design, or in a straight line.

Depending on the design of the tenderizer, the number of blades will vary between 16, 24, 48, or 56. The more blades the tenderizer will consist of, the quicker you will be able to tenderize the meat.

You need to be extra safe when using and to wash this tool as the blades are razor-sharp, and if not treated with care, you risk chances of accidents to occur.

4. Commercial-Style Meat Mallet

Commercial-style meat mallets are the ones that were specifically designed for restaurants or people who cook a lot of meat on a regular basis. These mallets are free-standing and come with a meat feeding shute on the top, while a manual eccentric grip is used to guide the pieces of meat through the machine.

Also, these mallets consist of extremely sharp stainless steel blades which are highly effective in tenderizing and flattening big chunks or pieces of meat.
Some of these tools even feature an option to turn the pieces of meat into cubes after tenderizing it.

The only drawback of this tool is that it is more suited for red meat, and it isn’t as effective when it comes to wet meat, such as chicken.

5. Traditional Style

The most common type of meat mallet is the traditional style mallet, which has been around and popular for years.

These mallets are usually made out of very sturdy metal or sometimes wood. The shape of the mallet is like a hammer, where one of the face or surface is equipped with pyramid-shaped spikes, while the other one is kept plain for flattening the meat.

6. Meat Cuber Tenderizer

A meat cuber tenderizer is a type of mallet that cuts up the meats in cubes to make it soft and tender. All you have to do is insert the piece of meat in the device and use the knob to get it through the machine, and you will end up with a super tenderized piece of meat.

Using a meat cuber tenderizer will also help to reduce the looking time, and help the meat to absorb all marinade or seasoning. It is ideally used for tough or strong cuts of meat that have uneven surfaces.

7. Meat Scrolling Tenderizer

This is a kind of mallet that has a type of roller attached to the handle. The roller is comprised of sharp blades or needles, which are used to roll over the meat.

And the utensil helps to tear through the surface of the meat, which breaks down the muscle fibers. It really makes the process of pounding and tenderizing a lot faster and easier.

B) Protective Guard

One of the most vital safety features you need to consider before getting a needle-style meat tenderizer is if it comes with the right kind of safety guard.

You should always opt for a mallet that comes with a proper plastic cap that will cover the blades. Not only will it help to prevent any form of accidents, but it will also keep the tool safe from rust or corrosion.

C) Handle

Whether the handle of the mallet features a vertical or horizontal design, you should definitely look for a handle that will fit in your hand securely. Ergonomic anti-slip handles will be comfortable and safe to hold, which will make the process of tenderizing a lot easier, safer, and quicker.

Moreover, a handle that was built to be used by both right and left hand is likely to give you the most control over the tool.

D) Maintenance

One of the things that are often forgotten when getting a meat mallet is how easy it is to maintain it. It will not matter if you get the best or the most expensive meat mallet if you do not take care of the equipment. Properly cleaning your mallet will extend the lifespan and improve the performance of the device.

Our suggestion will be to look for a device that features a detachable blade, which will make it easier to properly clean the blades. Moreover, you should always opt for a mallet, which is dishwasher-friendly as it will make the cleaning process hassle-free.

E) Practical Use and Value For Money

You may wonder if getting a meat mallet is really needed. Well, soft and flavorsome cuts of meats are often very expensive to buy, which may stop a lot of us from consuming it. With the help of a good tenderizer, you will be able to buy any cut of meat and still get a flavorsome dish.

Moreover, even if you purchase expensive cuts of meat, a good tenderizer will be able to help the meat retain its juices and flavors while also stopping it from shrinking, which will result in a better-tasting dish.

F) Durability And Sturdiness

No matter what product it is, when we want to get something new, we always want the best product that will be durable and sturdy. Apart from the design and build of the tool, the material used for construction will determine how durable and sturdy the meat mallet is going to be.

If you ask us, mallets that are made out of high-grade aluminum, stainless steel, or has a chrome plating, is likely to be more robust and durable than those that aren’t made out of these materials.

G) Multipurpose And Versatility

Meat mallets not only help the meat to have better texture, taste, and shape, but it also helps the meat to become easy to chew and digest. Moreover, the use of mallets is not just limited to tenderizing meat, you can use a mallet to break down hard candies, frozen food, or nuts.

H) Safety And Ease Of Usage

Working with tools that include sharp blades or needles always risks accidents. Which is why it is important to get a tool that has been built with user safety in mind. We will recommend looking for a tool that has interlocks, covers, and other such safety measures that will decrease the chances of accidents from occurring.

It is also very important for you to know how to handle and use the tool properly before you start working with it. Now, getting a tool that has a good handle as well as features a convenient design will make it easier for you to use it compared to a tool that doesn’t.

I) Cleaning

When cleaning your mallet, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind, such as never soaking it in water completely. Instead, we will suggest you to use a wet piece of cloth to wipe the blades as it will reduce water damage and corrosion.

While a lot of mallets are dishwasher safe, if you want to extend the lifespan of your tool, we will recommend you to avoid using a dishwasher as much as possible.

J) Storage

When getting a tool that involves blades or sharp edges, it is imperative that it comes with the right storage features. If getting a hammer style mallet, look out for a hole in the handle as it will make it easy to store the device. On the other hand, for blade-style mallets, it should include a protective guard.

K) Lock

Getting a mallet that features a locking mechanism attached to the handle, it will make it easier to store. Moreover, it will give you better control over the tenderizing process.

L) Tenderizing Surface Design

You may think that the only important features to look out for in a mallet is the blade and the handle, but the surface of the tenderizer is almost equally important. If you want the most effective tenderizing, then you should opt for a non-stick tenderizing surface.

A non-stick surface will stop the meat from sticking to the device. It will also make the clean-up process a lot simpler and quicker.

M) Retractable Blades

If you opt for a blade or needle-style meat mallet, then one of the features you should look out for is retractable blades or needles.

Instead of having a mallet that has the blades out all the time increases not only the chances of an accident but also the chance of the blades getting ruined. You should go for a device that will allow you to pull back the blades once you are done using it.

In this way, you get to extend the life of the tool, keep it sharper, and free from damage.

Frequently Ask Question

1. What Are the Best Ways to Mallet Meat?

Answer: Apart from using a proper meat mallet, you can mallet meat by using enzymes from fruits, use heat or dry age the meat.

2. How Do I Mallet the Meat?

Answer: Depending on the type of mallet you are using, all you require to do is run the tool over the meat to allow it to pound or tenderize the meat.

3. What Are the Benefits of Using a Meat Mallet?

Answer: Tenderizing the meat allows it to soften up and soak up all the marinade and seasoning. It also helps to reduce the cooking time, stops the meat from shrinking and losing its juices. Finally, it makes the meat easier to chew and digest.

4. What Are Some Cuts of Meat That Usually Require Tenderizing?

Answer: Tough or cheap cuts of meat such as brisket, chuck roast, flank, or bottom round are some of the cuts that require tenderizing to soften the connective tissues.

5. How Important is This Meat Mallet Tool?

Answer: If you want to end up with a tasty meat dish, or one that is easy to chew and digest, then it is really important to have a meat mallet tool.

6. What is a Meat Mallet?

Answer: A meat mallet is a device that tenderizes the meat by softening the fibers and tissues of the muscle.

7. What Can Be Used As a Meat Mallet?

Answer: Other than a meat mallet tool, you can use tenderizing powder, acid, and enzymes from fruits such as pineapple to mallet meat.

8. Does Coke Soften Meat?

Answer: Since coke contains tannins and alpha acids, it helps to work and soften the muscles of the meat, and thus, it can be used to mallet meat.

Conclusion

Now that you have all the information regarding the types of meat mallets as well as the best meat tenderizer machine, we hope that you will be able to pick the perfect meat mallet for you. Do not forget to keep an eye out for the ideal features.

Getting the right kind of meat mallet will not only make your preparation and cooking process quicker and hassle-free, but it will effectively enhance the taste of your dish. Thus, it is important to make a carefully thought out decision. Good luck with your purchase!