Definition

Verb: 1. To make (meat) tender or more tender: The process of softening the fibers in meat, typically through physical action (like pounding), chemical action (like marinating), or the application of a specific substance (a tenderizer).

Usage

The verb tenderise describes the action of preparing meat to make it less tough and easier to chew or cut. It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the meat being treated).

Examples

• You should tenderise the steak before grilling it.
• Marinating the chicken in buttermilk will help tenderise it.
• The chef used a mallet to tenderise the beef.

Advanced Usage

• Passive Voice: Often used in the passive voice to describe the state of the meat.
  • The meat was perfectly tenderised by the long, slow cooking process.
• Gerund/Noun Form (Tenderising): Refers to the activity or process itself.
  • Proper tenderising is the key to a good stew.

Variants and Related Words

• Tenderize: The standard spelling in American English. This is the more common global variant.
  • This marinade will help tenderize the pork chops.
• Tenderiser/Tenderizer (Noun): A tool (like a mallet) or a substance (often an enzyme-based powder) used to tenderise meat.
  • He used a meat tenderizer to pound the cutlets.

Synonyms

• Soften: To make something less hard or firm. (A more general term that can apply to meat).
• Break down: To separate into parts or decompose; in cooking, it refers to the process of softening connective tissues.

Antonyms

• Toughen: To make or become tough or tougher.

Verb

1. make tender or more tender as by marinating, pounding, or applying a tenderizer
   • tenderize meat