Does poking steaks and other meats cause flavor loss?
I was barbecuing, during which I was testing my steak for give using the tips of my thongs. But I didn't pierce the meat or jab too hard. A friend said that I'm ruining the steak and that it causes flavor and juice losses. Is this the case?
I've read on the Food Lab that testing meat this way doesn't cause juice loss. But it didn't mention flavor loss. I asked my friend how it alters the flavor and he mentioned that it shifts the juice in the steak, causes it to bruise, and gives it a "dead taste." I looked on here and didn't see a question that addresses this. Also, I looked online and mostly it was about moisture loss in the meat. My instinct is there is nothing wrong by prodding the meat. I mean butchers smash cube steak with tenderizers. But just in case, am I altering the flavor of my steaks?
Best Answer
This is totally fine. Meat gets poked and prodded all the time, whether to test it, to pick it up with tongs, or sticking a fork in it to cut. Meat just is not that fragile.
Things like smashing with a tenderizer are much more violent and do affect the texture (that's kind of the point), so that's not a great comparison. But this is a really minor thing.
Pictures about "Does poking steaks and other meats cause flavor loss?"
Should you poke your steaks?
5. Don't poke the steak with a fork to see whether it's done. You're testing steak, not cupcakes. "Once you poke a hole in it, all the blood and all the flavor and juices in the steak are going to leach out." (Here's a graphic that shows how to tell whether a steak is done without puncturing it.)Should I stab my steak before cooking?
Never stab your steak with a fork to tenderize it or hoping seasoning will penetrated the meat better. The only thing that you will be doing is allowing the delicious juices to seep out when cooking. The best way to grill steak is by using salt and salt alone. You don't need any other seasoning for a good steak!Should you poke holes in meat when marinating?
Score Meat Before Marinating: To help the marinade penetrate as deeply as possible (especially thicker cuts like flank steak), prick the surface of the meat with a fork or score it with a knife.Why do my steaks taste bland?
You didn't season your steak in advance. Adding a generous sprinkle of salt and fresh cracked pepper to both sides of your steak 30 to 40 minutes before cooking gives the seasoning a chance to get absorbed into the meat, resulting in juicier, more flavorful meat.Never Order Your Steak Well Done. Here's Why
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Rachel Claire, Rachel Claire, Rachel Claire, Valeria Boltneva