Are you tired of tough and chewy beef in your stir-fry dishes? Do you want to achieve that velvety, melt-in-your-mouth texture that you find in Chinese restaurants?
Look no further than your pantry for a simple solution: cornstarch. This humble ingredient can transform even the toughest cuts of beef into tender and succulent bites.
In this article, we’ll explore different techniques for using cornstarch to tenderize beef and share some delicious recipes to try at home.
Get ready to elevate your stir-fry game and impress your taste buds!
How To Tenderize Beef With Cornstarch?
The first step to tenderizing beef with cornstarch is to slice it thinly against the grain. This helps break down the muscle fibers and makes the meat easier to chew.
Next, coat the beef in a mixture of cornstarch, oil, and soy sauce. The cornstarch acts as a protective barrier, preventing the meat from drying out during cooking. The oil helps distribute the cornstarch evenly and adds flavor, while the soy sauce adds saltiness and umami.
For best results, let the beef marinate in the cornstarch mixture for at least 15 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the cornstarch to penetrate the meat and work its magic.
When it’s time to cook, heat a nonstick pan or wok over high heat and add a small amount of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until browned and crispy on both sides. Don’t overcrowd the pan or the beef will steam instead of sear.
Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside while you stir-fry your vegetables. Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, return the beef to the pan and toss everything together with your favorite sauce.
Why Use Cornstarch To Tenderize Beef?
Cornstarch is a common ingredient in Chinese cooking that is used to tenderize beef. While it does not actually break down the proteins in the meat, it creates a protective coating that prevents the meat from overcooking and drying out. This coating also helps to lock in moisture, resulting in juicy and tender beef.
When mixed with oil and soy sauce, cornstarch forms a slurry that can be used as a marinade for beef. This slurry penetrates the meat and creates a velvety texture that is both tender and succulent. By letting the beef marinate in the cornstarch mixture for at least 15 minutes or overnight, the cornstarch has time to penetrate the meat and work its magic.
When cooking with cornstarch, it is important to heat your pan or wok over high heat and add a small amount of oil. This ensures that the beef will sear instead of steam, resulting in crispy and flavorful meat. Once the beef is browned and crispy on both sides, it can be removed from the pan and set aside while you stir-fry your vegetables.
How Does Cornstarch Tenderize Beef?
Cornstarch does not directly tenderize beef, but it can help make it more tender by locking in moisture during the cooking process. When beef is coated in cornstarch, it forms a protective layer that prevents the meat from coming into direct contact with the hot oil. This helps to keep the meat moist and tender, rather than drying out and becoming tough.
Additionally, cornstarch can help to create a velvety texture on the surface of the beef. This is because when cornstarch is heated, it forms a thin coating that gives the meat a slightly slick texture. This coating helps to create a barrier between the meat and the oil, which can further aid in tenderizing the beef.
Preparing Beef For Tenderizing With Cornstarch
Before you can tenderize beef with cornstarch, it’s important to prepare the meat properly. Start by choosing a cut of beef that is suitable for stir-frying, such as flank steak or sirloin. Then, slice the beef thinly against the grain. This is important because it breaks down the muscle fibers and makes the meat easier to chew.
Once the beef is sliced, it’s time to coat it in a mixture of cornstarch, oil, and soy sauce. The cornstarch is the key ingredient here, as it helps to create a velvety texture on the outside of the beef. It also acts as a protective barrier, preventing the meat from drying out during cooking.
To make the cornstarch mixture, combine equal parts cornstarch and oil in a bowl. You can use any type of oil you prefer, but sesame oil or vegetable oil work well. Add soy sauce to taste, depending on how salty you like your beef.
Mix everything together until the cornstarch has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Then, add the sliced beef and toss it around in the mixture until it is evenly coated. For best results, let the beef marinate in the cornstarch mixture for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
When it’s time to cook the beef, heat a nonstick pan or wok over high heat and add a small amount of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until browned and crispy on both sides. Don’t overcrowd the pan or the beef will steam instead of sear.
Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside while you stir-fry your vegetables. When your vegetables are cooked to your liking, return the beef to the pan and toss everything together with your favorite sauce.
Recipes To Try: Cornstarch-Tenderized Beef Stir-Fry
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to use cornstarch to tenderize beef, try making a cornstarch-tenderized beef stir-fry! Here are two recipes to try:
Tips For Perfect Cornstarch-Tenderized Beef Every Time
1. Don’t over-marinate the beef in cornstarch. While it’s important to let the beef sit in the cornstarch mixture for at least 15 minutes, marinating it for too long can result in a gummy texture.
2. Slice the beef against the grain. This helps break down the muscle fibers and makes the meat easier to chew.
3. Use a nonstick pan or wok and heat it over high heat before adding the beef. This ensures that the beef gets crispy and browned on both sides.
4. Don’t overcrowd the pan. If you add too much beef to the pan at once, it will steam instead of sear, resulting in a less crispy texture.
5. Use a small amount of oil to cook the beef. The cornstarch mixture already contains oil, so you don’t need to add too much extra oil to the pan.
By following these tips, you can achieve perfectly tender and crispy cornstarch-tenderized beef every time you cook it.
