As someone who loves cooking beef, I know how frustrating it can be when a nice cut of meat comes out chewy instead of tender. While pressure cookers do an amazing job at breaking down tough connective tissue, not everyone has one on hand. Luckily, there are plenty of other methods for transforming even the most stubborn beef into fork-tender perfection.
In this guide, I’ll share eight simple techniques for softening beef without a pressure cooker With a little time and the right approach, you can infuse incredible flavor into beef and achieve melt-in-your-mouth texture Say goodbye to chewing fatigue and let’s get cooking!
1. Cover and Simmer
This is one of the easiest ways to soften beef. Simply place your beef cubes or meat chunks into a heavy pot or Dutch oven and add enough water or broth to cover the meat completely. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for at least 1-2 hours. Check periodically and add more liquid if needed to keep the meat submerged Simmer until fork tender The low, steady bubbling gently breaks down connective tissue.
2. Braise in the Oven
For an ultra-hands off approach, try braising your beef in the oven. First, sear the meat all over in a skillet to develop flavor. Transfer to a Dutch oven or braising pan along with aromatics like onions, carrots, garlic, and herbs.
Pour in enough broth or wine to come about halfway up the meat. Cover and braise in a 300°F oven until very tender when pierced, about 2-3 hours. The steamy oven environment gives the same effect as a pressure cooker.
3. Employ a Slow Cooker
Set it and forget it! Let your slow cooker do all the work of softening beef. Add beef and sliced veggies to the slow cooker insert and pour over a sauce made from broth, tomatoes, and spices
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender. The lengthened cooking breaks down collagen.
4. Turn to the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a game changer for fast beef softening. Place meat, broth or sauce, and aromatics into the inner pot. Pressure cook on high for 35-50 minutes depending on amount of meat.
Let the pressure release naturally. Beef should be succulent and spoon-tender once finished. The pressurized environment gives rapid softening.
5. Give Your Microwave a Shot
Believe it or not, the microwave can tenderize beef! Place beef in a microwave-safe dish and add enough broth or water to cover. Partially cover and microwave on medium power in 5 minute bursts until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes total.
Be sure to flip and rearrange meat midway through. The boiling action helps soften meat and collagen.
6. Steam Seamlessly
Steaming is a quick and healthy way to cook tender beef sans added fats or oils. Place beef in a steamer basket and set over a pot filled with a couple inches of water.
Bring water to a boil, then steam beef covered for 15-20 minutes until desired tenderness is reached. The hot vapor softens beef by permeating and heating the meat.
7. Trust Your Trusty Stovetop
This low and slow stovetop method delivers tender results. In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, combine beef, broth or water to cover, and aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs, and spices.
Simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours until beef is fall-apart tender when pierced with a fork. The direct heat helps break down collagen.
8. Roast Your Way to Tender
For deeply flavored beef, roast in the oven. First, sear all sides of beef in a skillet to caramelize the exterior. Place seared beef in a roasting pan and surround with chopped vegetables.
Roast uncovered at 325°F for 2-3 hours until a fork slides through the meat with little resistance. The dry heat helps render fat and soften beef.
Tips for Maximizing Tenderness
Proper slicing across the grain, keeping meat submerged, and cooking beyond doneness are some extra tricks for boosting tenderness without a pressure cooker:
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Cut beef across the grain – this disrupts muscle fibers so meat is less chewy.
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Keep meat covered in liquid while cooking – moisture penetrates and softens meat.
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Cook roasts and larger cuts beyond typical doneness – more time allows collagen to fully melt.
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Add acid like wine, tomatoes, vinegar – acids break down connective tissues.
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Freeze meat slightly before cooking – ice crystals tenderize meat when thawed.
With the right technique, you can transform even budget-friendly or problematic cuts of beef into succulent, juicy perfection. Next time you’re craving ultra-tender pot roast, pulled beef, or Chinese braised beef, reach for one of these pressure-free cooking methods and enjoy melt-in-your-mouth meaty bliss. Beef up your dinner game without ever pulling out the pressure cooker again!
Which beef dishes can I make without a pressure cooker?
Pressure cookers are wonderful inventions. But what if you don’t have one? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. These five beef dishes can be made without a pressure cooker using the different ways we talked about above.
1. Beef stroganoff is a traditional Russian dish that can be made without a pressure cooker. It’s a big hit with everyone! To make it, sauté the beef and onions in a large skillet (if you haven’t already cooked them), then add the mushrooms, broth, and sour cream. Serve the beef over fluffy rice for a delicious dish for the whole family to enjoy.
2. Beef rendang: This traditional Indonesian/Malaysian dish is one of my personal favourite recipes of all time. It’s packed with flavour, owing to a delicious paste made with lemongrass, ginger, chilies, and garlic. The beef is cooked slowly in the spice paste until it’s very soft. Next, coconut milk is added to make a thick, creamy sauce. Serve with sticky white rice for a traditional touch.
3. You cook beef, mushrooms, and onions in red wine until the beef is very tender. This is a classic French dish. The dish is then finished with cream to create a rich, flavourful sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes for a hearty, wholesome meal.
4. Beef chili is another popular dish that doesn’t need a pressure cooker. To make it, just brown the beef and onions in a big pot and then add the rest of the ingredients. Slowly cook until everything is done and the flavors have had a chance to develop. Then pour into bowls and enjoy!
5. Beef curry is a famous Indian dish that doesn’t need a pressure cooker. Most people enjoy a good curry, though the level of spice may need to be changed to suit individual tastes!
Simply brown the beef in a large pot or Dutch oven before adding some curry powder, tomatoes, and coconut milk. No coconut milk? Simply substitute it with some coconut cream instead – a tip from Trish Deseine, a professional chef. Finally, serve your beef curry with basmati rice or fluffy naan bread.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker handy and need to soften your beef, don’t worry. Just follow one of these tips to make your meat more tender in other ways. Also, now that you have these five new recipe ideas, you should be able to think of lots of new beef dishes to add to your repertoire. Happy cooking! This is a collaborative post.
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Hello, I’m Kacie! Welcome to my Welsh food and travel blog, The Rare Welsh Bit. Since 2010, I’ve been writing a blog about recipes, restaurants, food travel, and sights from Cardiff to the Caribbean. As featured by BBC, Metro, Mail On Sunday, Food 52, & others. MORE ABOUT MY WELSH FOOD & TRAVEL BLOG.
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8 ways to soften beef without a pressure cooker
As each of these cooking techniques has a distinct approach, be sure to pick the one that best fits your needs and schedule. Whichever route you choose, however, you should end up with beautifully tender beef once you’re finished.
1. Oven: This is the best method, if you’ve got some spare time on your hands. Preheat your oven to around 160°C. Put the beef dices in a baking dish. Then, make sure the beef is fully covered with water or beef broth. Add some sliced onions, garlic, and herbs and spices of your choice. Bake for 3–4 hours, or until the beef is very soft, covered with a lid or some foil.
2. Stove: In a hurry? This is the method to opt for. Just put the beef in a big pot or Dutch oven and cover it with water or beef broth. Add some onions, garlic, and other herbs and spices if desired. Over medium-low heat, bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for two to three hours, or until the beef is very tender.
3. Slow cooker: This is the easiest method of all. Put some beef broth or water, some seasoning, and the beef in your slow cooker. Then set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. If you like, you can add some onions, garlic and herbs and spices too. By the time you’ve finished cooking, the meat will be falling apart.
4. Don’t believe it? You can soften beef in the microwave! If you need to cook your meat quickly, this is a great way to do it instead of in the oven, on the stove, or in the slow cooker. Just put the beef in a dish that can go in the microwave and pour beef broth or water over it. Then, microwave the beef for 3 to 4 minutes on high, or until cooked through. A meat probe is useful here, to ensure the meat is fully cooked.
5. Steamer: This is another quick and easy method for softening beef. Fill a steamer basket with water until it’s just above the bottom. Place the beef inside. Cover the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes, until cooked thoroughly. Again, your meat probe will be handy here.
6. Saucepan: This method is like the stovetop method, but it uses less liquid, so the beef has more flavor. Place the beef in a saucepan and add just enough beef broth or water to cover it. Add some onions, garlic, and other herbs and spices if desired. Over medium-low heat, bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for two to three hours, or until the beef is very tender.
7. Instant Pot: If you have an Instant Pot, you can use it to soften beef very quickly and easily. Simply add some beef broth or water to the pot with the beef, and put the cooker on high pressure for 30 minutes. Add some onions, garlic, and other herbs and spices if desired. The meat will be fall-apart tender, and ready to eat when fully cooked.
8. Sous Vide: This is a more advanced method, but it’s also very effective. Put the beef, beef broth, or water in a silicone sous vide bag, and use the vacuum sealer to close the bag. Then, cook the beef in a water bath set to around 60°C for 2-3 hours. Add some onions, garlic, and other herbs and spices if desired. When the beef is cooked through, it will be fall-apart tender and ready for you to to enjoy.
No matter which method you choose, the end result will be tender, tasty beef that will taste great in all of your favorite beef recipes.
How To Make Beef Soft & Tender | Tough Stewing Meat Made Soft
How to soften beef without a pressure cooker?
The stock should cover the meat to allow it to dissolve the tough collagen fibers. Cover and cook over very low heat until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. As you can see, there are lots of ways to soften beef without a pressure cooker. Try one or try them all…you’re sure to end up with succulent, tender meat.
Does baking soda make beef tender?
The baking soda changes the pH of the meat’s surface. In turn, it can’t bind together as tightly, which makes it more tender. If the meat is cut into several pieces, use 1 teaspoon (6 g) of baking soda. You can use this method on whole cuts of beef as well as on ground beef. Soak the beef up to an hour with no ill effects.
How to salt beef for tenderizing?
Here’s how to salt beef for tenderizing: Sprinkle salt on all sides of the meat. A couple of tablespoons is enough. It is best to salt it 12 hours before cooking to allow the brine to reabsorb. Therefore, a minimum of an hour is best. After applying the salt, put your meat on a wire rack over a tray and leave it uncovered in the fridge.
How do you tenderize beef in a crock pot?
Try mechanical or thermal methods, or if you prefer, you can use chemical methods, such as adding as salt, baking soda, or dairy to tenderize your beef. Place the beef between wax paper and pound it for a few minutes. The wax paper protects the meat and your counter.