Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this before, in which you have gotten ready all of the necessary ingredients to kick off making your jerky ready, only for you to come to the realization that you have got no tenderizer powder in sight to actually work with?
Well, that might actually call for panic, bearing in mind, especially since you’ve got no other option of meat tenderizer substitute for jerky to work with. Unknowns to you, there are actually plenty of alternative options to work with, with this article exposing you to a few of them.
Interestingly enough, it might actually be you have gotten some of these meat tenderizer substitutes for jerky hanging somewhere around your kitchen, but because you’re ignorant of the fact that they can actually come in as your meat tenderizer substitute for jerky, you are clueless of what to do with them.
In respect to that, below have been highlighted 9 of the best meat tenderizer substitutes for jerky.
9 Meat Tenderizer Substitute For Jerky To Try Out
1 . Baking Soda

Baking soda is a white powder with sodium bicarbonate primarily made to address baking needs, just as its name points out. But because of its slightly salty taste, it can also come in as a meat tenderizer substitute for jerky since it has also gotten properties that can help tenderize meat by breaking down the proteins.
To get the right proportion of baking powder to have as your meat tenderizer substitute for jerky, it is recommended you go for 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for every teaspoon of meat tenderizer powder.
To get the very best results from this option of a substitute, all that is expected of you to do is to Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the beef or rub it in; you might as well choose to make a paste out of soda and water to goat your beef with.
2. Wine, Citrus Juices & Vinegar
Anyone of Wine, citrus juices, and vinegar can easily come in as well as a meat tenderizer substitute for jerky since they not only help out in improving the texture of your meat but also go the extra mile of adding flavors to them as well.
According to medical practitioners, Wine and citrus juices are known for breaking down the tough proteins in meat, which in turn makes them tender to your preference. For the very best results from having wine, citrus juices, and vinegar as your meat tenderizer substitute for jerky, it is suggested that you soak the meat in the liquid for 30 minutes before cooking.
3. Tomato Sauces
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Tomatoes are a general ingredient in the majority of dishes out there, meaning it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to you getting to see it as one of the meat tenderizer substitutes for jerky. An option of a substitute that not only helps to tenderize your meat but also brings its natural sweetness to it.
For you never to be left disappointed having tomato sauces as your meat tenderizer substitute for jerky, it is suggested that you combine them together with a tablespoon of vinegar to help break down the tougher fibers inside the tomato sauces to make tenderizing the meat possible.
Read also, 8 Non Pork Substitute For Andouille Sausage You Should Try
4. Beer

Though it might seem weird having to see beer as a meat tenderizer substitute for jerky, owing to the fact that it has always been known to be a delicious and refreshing beverage enjoyed by young adults and aged individuals across the globe. But the fact still remains beers are versatile in nature in different recipes and instances.
Talking about instances in this regard, contained inside the contents of beers are enzymes that help break down proteins, which is the only possible means of having your meat tenderized, with additional benefits, including the fact that it makes the meat even more flavorful.
5. Pineapple & Papaya

The combination of pineapple and papaya as a fruit together with a little pinch of salt is also known for helping out when it comes to breaking down the tough fibers in meat, thereby making it more tender and flavorful in the process.
For the fact that sticking with this option of substituting for tenderizing your meat creates a unique flavor profile for your recipes and places you in a win-win situation of having your meat tenderized and delicious at the same time.
6. Cola
Cola, as we all know, is a type of drink served alongside your dishes and delicacies to enjoy an amazing dining experience. But unknown to many, cola as a drink can also be a great meat tenderizer substitute for jerky because of its acidic content making that possible.
To put cola into use as your meat tenderizer substitute for jerky, you’re expected to soak for a minimum of 30 minutes to get the very best results.
7. Ginger
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Ginger is an option meat tenderizer substitute for jerky with a slightly different profile from the rest of the aforementioned substitutes, known for the huge presence of ‘proteolytic’ enzyme inside of its content, which is a very much needed property when it comes to having your meat tenderized.
In this instance, all that is expected of you is to sprinkle drops of ginger juice on the surface of the meat you intend to have tenderized, then leave for a few minutes until you get your desired results.
Read also, 13 Egg Substitute For Meatballs That You Need to Try
8. Vinegar

Vinegar, as one of the meat tenderizers substitute for jerky, is one blessed with acetic acid inside of its content, which can go a long way in helping to break down meat fibers, leaving them tenderized in the process.
To get started, all that is expected of you to do is to add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the meat being steamed in a non-stick pan, since doing otherwise can be unfavorable to your health due to its acidic content.
9. Buttermilk or yoghurt

Buttermilk and yogurt are generally known as well to contain acidity and calcium, which play vital roles when it comes to breaking down protein and leaving meat tenderized, thereby placing them on this list of ideal meat tenderizer substitutes for jerky.
To put it into use, all that you have to do is soak your meat inside the buttermilk or yogurt liquid, and you should be good to go from there on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article is to expose you to some of the excellent meat tenderizer substitutes for jerky, with a few other things to learn as well when it comes to experimenting with some of these Substitutes.