What causes steak to be tough?
There are a few main reasons why a steak can turn out tough after cooking:
Overcooking
One of the most common reasons for a tough steak is overcooking it. Steak is at its most tender and juicy when cooked to medium-rare doneness, which means an internal temperature of around 135°F. Once steak is cooked beyond medium, to medium-well or well-done, it begins to lose moisture and becomes tougher and chewier. Overcooking causes the proteins in the meat to tighten and squeeze out moisture.
Cut of meat
Certain cuts of beef are naturally more tender than others. Tender cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, and New York strip steak come from muscles in the cow that don’t get much exercise. Tougher cuts like skirt, flank, round come from hard-working muscles. If you choose a naturally tougher cut of meat and overcook it, it can turn out extremely chewy and tough to eat.
Aging
Proper aging is important for tenderizing meat. Dry-aging, where beef hangs in a temperature-controlled cooler for 1-4 weeks, helps break down connective tissues. Wet-aging steak in vacuum-sealed bags also helps tenderize. Insufficient aging can result in a tough, chewy steak.
Cut against the grain
If steak is sliced against the direction of the muscle fibers, it will be more tender. Cutting with the grain makes the muscle fibers long and stringy. Cutting against the grain shortens the fibers for a more tender bite. If steak is sliced with the grain, it can seem tough.
Lack of marinating
Marinades containing acidic ingredients like wine, vinegar, citrus juice can help break down tough tissues in steak. Salt can also help denature proteins. Skipping a marinade can mean missing out on this tenderizing effect.
What are some strategies for salvaging and cooking a tough leftover steak?
Just because a steak turned out tough and chewy the first time doesn’t mean it’s lost cause. There are several strategies you can try to turn that leftover steak into something delicious:
Thinly slice the steak across the grain
As explained above, slicing steak against the grain shortens the muscle fibers so it’s easier to chew. Take your leftover steak and cut it as thinly as possible across the grain. This instantly makes the meat more tender. Use the sliced steak for dishes like fajitas, stir fry, philly cheesesteaks.
Tenderize with a marinade
A marinade with acidic ingredients will help further break down and soften the meat’s fibers. Let your sliced leftover steak marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight, to maximize the tenderizing effects. The longer the better.
Cook with moist heat
Dry cooking methods like grilling, broiling, pan frying will likely exacerbate the steak’s toughness. Cooking the steak slices in moist heat, like braising or stewing, will make the meat more tender and easier to eat. The moisture helps hydrate the meat as it cooks.
Use a slow cooker
A slow cooker is ideal for taking tough cuts of meat and making them melt-in-your-mouth tender. Place sliced steak in the slow cooker with 1 cup broth or water. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until extremely tender. Shred the meat with two forks and use for tacos, sandwiches, over rice, etc.
Make Carne Guisada (Latin American stew)
Carne guisada is a Latin American beef stew made with leftovers. Cook sliced steak with onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, oregano. Simmer until beef is very soft. The acidic tomatoes will further tenderize the meat. Serve over rice, in tacos, or as a soup.
Use a pressure cooker
A pressure cooker quickly tenderizes meat by cooking under pressure at temperatures above boiling point. Place sliced steak and 1 cup liquid in a pressure cooker with spices and vegetables if desired. Cook at high pressure for 15-20 minutes until extremely soft. Shred beef and use in any dish.
Add to a vitamin mixer
If steak is extremely tough, thinly slice and add to a high speed blender or food processor along with fresh vegetables, fruit juice, yogurt, or milk. Blend into a smoothie, shake, or slushy drink. The blender will break down the meat’s fibers so it’s a smooth consistency that still provides protein.
Make steak hash
Finely chop or mince leftover steak and cook in a skillet with potatoes and vegetables like onions, peppers, and a little oil. The minced steak will be tender. Season the hash and serve with eggs for breakfast or dinner.
Use in stew or soup
Add bite size pieces of leftover steak to stews, chilis, soups, and braises. The moisture and prolonged cooking will ensure the meat becomes fall-apart tender. Irish beef stew or chicken tortilla soup are good options.
Make steak stir fry
Thinly slice steak across the grain, then stir fry in a very hot pan or wok with some oil. Cook briefly, just until browned. Add vegetables and quickly stir fry everything together for 2-3 minutes. The high heat helps keep the sliced steak tender. Serve over rice.
What are some specific recipes that use up leftover tough steak?
Here are 8 delicious recipes for transforming that tough leftover steak into something you’ll want to eat:
Steak Fajitas
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– Thinly sliced leftover steak – Onions, bell peppers – Oil – Fajita seasoning – Warm flour tortillas – Toppings like salsa, cheese, etc. |
1. Slice steak across the grain into thin strips 2. Slice onions and peppers into long strips 3. In a hot skillet, sauté steak, onions, and peppers in oil just until browned 4. Add fajita seasoning and toss to coat 5. Serve steak mixture in flour tortillas with desired toppings |
Steak & Vegetable Stir Fry
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– Sliced leftover steak – Broccoli, carrots, etc. – Sliced onion – Oil – Soy sauce – Cornstarch – Rice |
1. Slice steak across the grain into thin strips 2. Chop vegetables into bite size pieces 3. In very hot pan or wok, stir fry steak and veggies in oil 1-2 mins 4. Mix soy sauce and cornstarch, add to pan 5. Toss everything until sauce thickens, 2-3 mins 6. Serve over freshly cooked rice |
Pressure Cooker Steak Tacos
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– Leftover steak chunks – Diced onion – Chicken or beef broth – Taco seasoning – Corn tortillas – Toppings like cilantro, lime, salsa |
1. Cut steak into 1-inch chunks 2. Place in pressure cooker with onions, broth, taco seasoning 3. Cook on high pressure for 15-20 minutes 4. Shred cooked steak with two forks 5. Serve shredded steak in tortillas with desired toppings |
Slow Cooker Steak Sandwiches
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– Sliced leftover steak – Onion, sliced – Beef broth – Sandwich rolls – Cheese slices – Condiments like mustard, mayo |
1. Layer sliced steak and onions in slow cooker 2. Pour in broth to cover ingredients 3. Cook on low 7-8 hours until steak shreds easily 4. Shred beef mixture with two forks 5. Pile onto rolls, top with cheese and condiments |
Steak & Potato Hash
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– Diced leftover steak – Diced potatoes – Diced bell pepper and onion – Oil or butter – Eggs – Salt, pepper, spices |
1. Finely dice leftover steak into small pieces 2. Dice potatoes and vegetables 3. In large skillet, cook steak, potatoes, veggies in oil/butter until browned 4. Season hash with spices like paprika, garlic powder 5. Create wells, crack eggs on top of hash, cover to cook eggs 6. Serve steak hash topped with fried eggs |
Steak Minestrone Soup
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– 1-inch steak cubes – Onion, carrots, celery – Beef broth – Canned beans – Pasta noodles – Parmesan cheese |
1. Sauté aromatics like onion, garlic, carrot in pot 2. Add broth, steak cubes, beans, pasta 3. Simmer 20 minutes until pasta is tender 4. Mix in spinach at the end to wilt 5. Serve soup topped with parmesan cheese |
Steak & Pepper Jack Quesadillas
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– Thinly sliced leftover steak – Shredded pepper jack – Sliced onions or bell peppers – Flour tortillas – Butter or oil – Salsa, guacamole, etc. |
1. Evenly layer steak slices, cheese, and veggies on tortilla 2. Place another tortilla on top 3. Cook quesadilla in skillet with butter/oil 2-3 mins per side 4. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, etc. |
Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
|
– Sliced leftover steak – Water chestnuts, diced – Sliced onion – Soy sauce – Hoisin sauce – Lettuce leaves |
1. Sauté sliced steak and onions in pan with soy sauce 2. Add hoisin and water chestnuts, cook 1 minute more 3. Scoop steak mixture into lettuce leaves 4. Wrap lettuce around filling and enjoy |
Conclusion
Leftover steak that turned out tough and chewy the first time around doesn’t need to go to waste. With some strategic slicing, marinating, and cooking techniques, you can transform that steak into a wide variety of tasty dishes. The key is slicing across the grain, and using moist cooking methods like braising, stewing, or slow cooking to help tenderize the meat. Get creative with global flavors and seasonings to keep things interesting. With the recipes and tips above, you can give new life to leftover steak!