Steak is a treat so it is disappointing if it turns out mushy. While you are unlikely to have this problem in a restaurant (and if you do, our advice is to send it straight back to the kitchen!), it’s not so simple at home.
While too tough a steak is a more common problem, today we are going to look at a few reasons why your steak may turn out too soft after being cooked.
Why Is My Steak Mushy?
1. Beef Quality
The first thing that can cause your steak to have a mushy texture has to do with the quality of beef that you are using to prepare your steak dinner.
There are many conditions that beef is subjected to before landing on your plate, from what the cattle are fed, the age of the animal, the conditions under which it is slaughtered, how long the carcass is hung for, and whether the meat has been frozen or not.
Because steak is expensive, we recommend you buy the best possible quality from a reputable butcher. If you use low-grade beef from a supermarket, you are going to end up with a low-grade, possibly mushy, supper on your plate.
In addition to all that, you need to take care that the beef you are using has not been kept at room temperature for too long. Bacterial or enzyme action can lead to deterioration in the texture and to the meat eventually going bad.
2. Steak Cut Incorrectly
When cutting your steak, always be sure to use a very sharp knife for a clean cut and no mushiness. A blunt knife will tear at the meat fibers and mash them rather than cleanly severing them.
Take a tip from the top chefs and keep your knives sharp at all times.
Sometimes using a meat mallet too vigorously can mash the fibers. Rather buy a more tender cut even if it is more expensive than resort to using a mallet.
3. Marinated Too Long
People enjoy marinating their steak prior to cooking to add flavor and tenderize the meat. However… beware. Marinades break down the protein in the meat and leave it with a soft, mushy texture that is not pleasant to eat.
Be particularly careful with commercial marinades or those that contain enzymes like papaya. Lemon and vinegar, if in contact with the meat for too long, will also leave you with a disappointingly soft texture.
We recommend buying the tenderest steak cuts you can afford, such as fillet or rump, and just using marinades for a short time to impart extra flavor.
Try marinading your steaks for no more than thirty minutes and see what a difference it makes to the texture. If you still want extra flavor, make a sauce to top the meat with.
4. Cooking Time and Temperature Incorrect
You will also need to be careful about the heat and temperature and the time you give the steak to be prepared. Overcooked steak has more chance of turning out mushy.
Good quality cuts of steak should be cooked quickly over high heat for a short time, then allowed to rest for a few minutes in a warm place before serving.
To Conclude
We hope this article has given you some insight into why your steak may have turned out mushy. Do follow our tips to prevent this from happening in the future. All the best!