How to Marinate Meat So It Becomes Super Tender

Ingredients

• 500 g beef (cut into thin slices)
• 0.5 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (Chinese or Thai, depending on the dish being prepared)
• white pepper (a little)
• 0.5 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda (optional)
• 0.5 tbsp Chinese rice wine (for Chinese recipes)
• 0.5 tbsp sesame oil (for Chinese recipes)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the beef into thin slices.

2. 2

   Add the light soy sauce and oyster sauce to the meat. The marinade should provide only a subtle flavor because the meat will be used in other dishes.

3. 3

   Add a little white pepper and the cornstarch.

4. 4

   Add the baking soda, if using, to make the meat extra tender.

5. 5

   To prepare the meat for Chinese recipes, also add the Chinese rice wine and sesame oil. These two ingredients are not included for the Thai recipe variation.

6. 6

   Mix very well until the meat is coated with the marinade.

7. 7

   Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.

8. 8

   Remove the meat from the refrigerator; after resting, it will look firmer and glossier, and will be ready to use in other dishes.

Notes

The recipe indicates that pork can also be used; chicken is marinated differently. It does not specify rinsing the meat after marinating or explain how it should be cooked in the final dish.

Nutrition per serving

• marinade
• basic preparation
• meat
• beef
• gluten-free*
• dairy-free
• refrigerated