my pepper steak is a piece of rubber.

Beauty and the Beast

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 5:53 pm

I dunno what to do! I made delicious pepper steak with a ton of veggies and marinated it, but the meat is so rubbery that I declared it unedible. my dh knows if I actually made that claim then its serious! what would make it this way? the cut of meat? the way I made it? what's to blame? and is there any way to turn rubber into something chewable?? thanks!

dillie

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:03 pm

How long did you cook it? I cook mine for hours, sometimes in the crockpot, and it's delicious. Less time and it's way too chewy.

Beauty and the Beast

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:04 pm

I fried it in the pan for a few minutes on each side, then cooked it in the sauce with the veggies for around a half hour..

dillie

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:06 pm

What was the meat labeled? if it was skirt steak or 'stir-fry meat,' that should be okay. If it was beef-stew meat- anything from a 'muscled ' area- it really needs long slow cooking.
You might be able to rescue it by cooking it longer, and serving it tomorrow! But there's no fast fix.

PIP

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:06 pm

Was it fully defrosted when you cooked it? That may do it.
I always boil my minute steak as long as I can, it comes out soo much softer that way.

Beauty and the Beast

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:08 pm

it was fully defrosted. It was called pepper steak. the thin long strips of meat.. I am so upset.. should I cook it more? throw it in the oven?? heeeelp! dh is hungry~!

DefyGravity

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:11 pm

Some meat needs to be pounded in order to be tender. I also have the same problem with pepper steak, and I'm sure it's because I don't pound it or use meat tenderizer on it.

itsme

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:12 pm

I make pepper steak too. your only allowed to fry as long as it gets this tan color. and turn it over and do the other sid 1 2 3 not any longer. if it gets to stay longer it gets rubbery

Beauty and the Beast

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:15 pm

aww shoots. so my dinner is ruined , I guess. Thanks peeps.
( this is prob the one time it was ruined since I am married, so I think dh will forgive me Wink

)

bbmom

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 6:30 pm

I've had this prob before. How DO you cook pepper steaks so that they don't come out rubbery?

yersp

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 9:37 pm

I've tried a few different ways until my friend told me her recipe and that solved the problem:

TOMATO SAUCE!!

1-2 cans 8 oz tomato sauce (for the same price you can use one 15 oz can)
Pepper steak
1 sm onion sliced

cook for an hour and add in the following:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 capfuls of soy sauce
garlic & black pepper to taste

Continue cooking as long as you like.

It's delicious!! I usually serve it over potatoes. My kids arent really into eating meat besides meatballs, this they love!!

BlumaG

Tue, Nov 11 2008, 10:00 pm

dont throw it out yet - add some water to it and bake covered for 1 1/2 see how it turns out - mine turns out really tender htat way

yersp

Wed, Nov 12 2008, 10:03 am

sorry!! didnt add the most important part of the recipe! thanks bbmom for the reminder!!
You're supposed to cook the meat on low flame for one hour and continue cooking on a low flame until youre ready to serve. (or I cook it in the morning and then rewarm it when im ready to serve it)

lostIma

Mon, Dec 01 2008, 10:23 am

Anyone know a good peppersteak recipe in the crock pot with rice???

bbmom

Mon, Dec 01 2008, 5:38 pm

Buhlight wrote:

Trying this tonight - I'll let you know how it turns out.