Anyone who cooks or eats meat knows that there is nothing worse than a tough, barely edible chunk of meat with the consistency of a piece of boiled leather. For any home chef, a meat cuber/tenderizer may be just the thing to avoid that unfortunate, leathery experience.

Most meat cuber/tenderizers operate in the same basic manner. Each machine is filled with rows of little tiny blades that simultaneously cut the surface of the meat, giving it a checkerboard appearance and lending tenderness to even the toughest cuts of meat.

Perfect for hunters and those who buy meat in bulk, a meat cuber/tenderizer can cut down on time spent processing and preparing, and can ultimately lead to a more satisfying dining experience.

There are many styles of meat cuber/tenderizers that serve the same purpose. Some are hand held and operated in the same manner as a knife, by rolling the blades across the surface of the meat. Other meat tenderizers resemble small, textured mallets which are used to pound the meat until it has a cubed texture.

Other meat cuber/tenderizers are more advanced, and there are both manual and electric models available. These models have rolling wheels that are covered with little blades that simultaneously feed the meat through the machine as they cut both surfaces in both directions. Most machines can accommodate a slab of meat up to three-fourths to one inch thickness.

Meat that has been treated with a meat cuber/tenderizer can be used for many recipes, such as chicken-fried steak, or the thin, tenderized piece of meat can be spread with your favorite filling or stuffing, rolled, and baked. Tenderized strips of meat can be used for fajitas or stir-fry, and larger cubes are perfect for soups and stews.

The meat can also be sprinkled or rubbed with seasonings prior to being tenderized, and the blades will work the seasoning into the meat as it works, forcing the flavor deep within the meat rather than just sitting on top.

With so many options, leather-like steaks could quickly be a thing of the past with just an easily-operated meat cuber/tenderizer added to your kitchen arsenal.