How to Use tenderize in a Sentence

tenderize

verb
  • The marinade helps to tenderize the meat.
  • The salt in the dry brine helps tenderize the meat and draw moisture out of the bird.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2024
  • This draws out the moisture, which tenderizes the meat and will give it a nice brown crust when cooked.
    — Ana Calderone, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024
  • Prepare it the night before so the legs have time to tenderize.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 12 June 2023
  • This side of beef has been tenderized for brief but meaningful flings.
    — Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024
  • This draws out moisture to give the steak a nice brown crust when cooking and helps tenderize [it].
    — People Staff, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023
  • Recipes with larger cuts of meat (like whole beef cubes) will need about two hours over heat to tenderize fully.
    — Audrey Bruno, SELF, 21 Nov. 2022
  • The weather and wilderness shredded her pants and tenderized her boots like a piece of meat.
    — Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Toss until the arms are tenderized and the suction cups no longer function.
    — Joanna Klein, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2017
  • This allows the thicker tops time to tenderize.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The weeks-long process tenderizes the meat, which is then slow-seared at 500 degrees.
    — Pam Kragen, Pacific San Diego Magazine, 2 Aug. 2017
  • For the best results while grilling steaks from this section, tenderize before grilling.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2023
  • Lends sweetness to the pancakes and helps tenderize the batter.
    — Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
  • But any cook can tell you that salt is needed before cooking to tenderize steaks and give them flavor.
    — Michael Mayo, sun-sentinel.com, 11 Sep. 2019
  • Remove the sturdy rib and give mature leaves a nice massage to tenderize them.
    — Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2022
  • The pickle juice is packed with flavor and the acidity will tenderize the meat.
    — Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The yogurt marinade tenderizes the chicken and caramelizes the skin.
    — Trisha Pasricha, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Vegetables that require steam to tenderize do well wrapped snug in a foil packet.
    — Jeanmarie Brownson, chicagotribune.com, 8 Aug. 2017
  • This process tenderizes less expensive cuts of meat, breaking them down into a rich sauce.
    — Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Top round is a lean cut that can take a long braise to tenderize it and infuse it with flavor without falling apart.
    — Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Oct. 2021
  • The salt will draw out extra water and, instead, flavor and tenderize the meat.
    — Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2021
  • First, apply a rub to tenderize the meat and load it with flavor before adding it to the slow cooker with a rich broth.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
  • One that tenderizes muscles and puts pressure on the joints and ligaments.
    — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 5 May 2026
  • Purchase chunky salsa to help tenderize the meat, which complements the adobo sauce.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Most thin cuts of beef will work in this recipe, but avoid cube steak, which has already been pounded and tenderized more than is best for this recipe.
    — Pati Jinich, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024
  • Curing breaks down some of the fish’s proteins, tenderizing the fillets in the process.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
  • On some spears, especially fresh, pencil-thin stalks, the woody ends may tenderize once cooked.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024
  • The overnight soak tenderizes the meat, and grilling parts instead of a whole bird means every piece is cooked to perfection.
    — Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The salt will help tenderize the meat and the fat from the butter will get the skin crispy and delicious, and help keep the meat moist as well.
    — Country Living Staff, Country Living, 12 July 2020
  • With just 70 calories per half cup, Greek yogurt helps to tenderize the meat and keep it moist.
    — Darlene Zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, 25 July 2021

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenderize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: