Making Meats Easier to Cut

I hate having to cut meat into bite sized pieces when a recipe calls for it. That means I have to put raw meat down on the counter and it is going to get all over my hands. Even though I keep soapy water in my sink to make clean up easier, check out Soapy Water in Sink, I worry about germs. There are also times when cutting the meat is down right difficult as it seems to move with my knife.

Try this trick; leave your meat partially frozen. That is right, if the meat is partially frozen when you cut it you will find it holds it shape better and is then easier to cut. As an added benefit there are less juices running across your counter making it easier to clean up.

I find that my refrigerator is cold enough that even though I pull my meat out of the freezer the night before it is often still a little frozen by dinner. So, I pull it out to defrost further an hour of two before dinner. However, if the dish calls for cutting the meat I will leave it in.

If your refrigerator does allow for a fully defrosted meat, or if the meat hasn't made it in the freezer yet, try putting it in the freezer for 10 or 15 minutes prior to cutting it. Just that short of time will allow for easier cutting, and less clean up.