How long can I marinade/brine a tenderloin?
I have read various recipes for brining (or marinading) meat and they say everything from 2 hours to 2 days. For a pork tenderloint 2.5" in diameter, how long can I let it soak in to maximize penetration? Does it help to let it sit for longer, or does it just stop soaking in at a certain point?
I have read that I can gash the meat to increase penetration, but I do not want to do that for appearance reasons.
Best Answer
There is a difference between brining and marinating. Brines are salt based solutions that work to make meat jucier. It works by osmosis. First water leaves the meat, then returns with the salt from the brine. Because the meat cells now contain more salt, water remains during cooking. Brining means juicy meat, but it is also salted. This impacts flavor and texture. In my experience some folks like this, other don't. Marinades can add flavor. Some marinades break down proteins and impact texture (depending on ingredients). Marinades don't add moisture. Marinades (as opposed to brines) only impact the surface (or slightly below...maybe 1/4 inch).
Proteins can be brined for hours to days depending on the process and desired impact.
Marinades are usually recommended for 1 - 12 hours.
So, to fully answer your question you would need to specify the impact you are looking for, but in general, given the short cooking time, pork tenderloin is not brined. You probably want to marinate, and I would suggest a maximum of overnight. Because there is little penetration, longer is not better.
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Quick Answer about "How long can I marinade/brine a tenderloin?"
You want to leave your pork loin in the brine for one to two hours. Never leave your meat in brine for more than 24 hours. If there is a label on your pork loin that says enhanced, it means a brining solution has already been injected. Brining is so easy a brine recipe for pork is not necessary.Can pork tenderloin be marinated too long?
Can you marinate pork tenderloin too long? According to Foodsafety.gov, marinated pork can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. While poultry is likely to start to break down if marinated longer than 2 days, pork tenderloin can safely hold up for several days when stored correctly in the refrigerator.How long can meat soak in brine?
Brine is a very salty solution, so it works pretty quickly. As a general rule of thumb, brine meat for about one hour per pound....Brine Times.Shrimp or scallops:15 to 30 minutesWhole turkey:12 to 24 hoursBoneless pork chops:30 minutesBone-in pork chops:30 minutes to 1 hourWhole pork tenderloin:1 to 2 hours8 more rows•Oct 23, 2020How long is too long for a brine?
Yes. In addition to making the meat taste too salty, over-brining may also give the turkey an unpleasant sponge-like texture. The key is to use the correct ratio of salt to liquid and take the turkey out of the brine within 18 hours.Can you brine pork loin for 48 hours?
A whole loin should be brined for 48 to 72 hours. When first brining, it is a good idea to start with the shorter times and then increase the time if you feel it is necessary, because the longer the meat is in the solution the more salt that soaks into the meat.How to Brine \u0026 Cook a Whole Pork Loin
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