Tough Meat? 21 Ways To Make Beef Melt In Your Mouth

Sometimes meat feels too hard and dry. But these 21 ways can make it soft like butter. Try these simple tricks to make every bite smooth and juicy!

Air Fryer Empanadas

A hand holding a n empanada that is broken open so you can see the inside filling. — Air Fryer Empanadas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A slow-cooked beef filling helps tough meat turn soft before it even hits the air fryer. That’s what makes Air Fryer Empanadas so easy to bite into without any chewiness. You get crisp outside and tender meat inside every time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Empanadas

Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef

A slow roast helps beef break down and soak up moisture. That’s what makes Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef so soft and easy to pull apart. It’s great for tougher roasts that need time.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef

Hoisin Beef

A white bowl with rice and hoisin ground beef and chopsticks on the side. — Hoisin Beef. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Quick cooking and sauce can transform firm meat into something way softer. That’s what makes Hoisin Beef so easy to enjoy without much fuss. Even tough cuts come out rich and tender.
Get the Recipe: Hoisin Beef

Easy Creamy Taco Soup

Creamy Keto Taco Soup with gresh avocado slices and lime. — Easy Creamy Taco Soup. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Slow simmering breaks ground beef down until it’s soft and full of flavor. That’s what gives Easy Creamy Taco Soup its hearty texture without being heavy. It’s a simple way to turn tough into smooth.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Taco Soup

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Simmered beef in soup softens up as it cooks with the broth. That’s why Pasta e Fagioli Soup ends up with chunks that are easy to chew. It’s a smart way to use tougher meat.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Baked Sausage and Sauerkraut

Baking helps sausage release moisture and break down inside. That’s what makes Baked Sausage and Sauerkraut easy to cut and even easier to chew. It stays juicy without falling apart.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sausage and Sauerkraut

Beef Yakisoba

Even lean meat can come out soft when sliced right and cooked fast. That’s what makes Beef Yakisoba a smart pick when working with tougher beef. You get flavorful bites that don’t feel chewy.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yakisoba

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Sliced flank steak with chili butter. — Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Lean steaks like flank can be tricky, but prep and heat make a difference. That’s how Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter stays tender with every slice. It comes out juicy and easy to chew.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Kung Pao Beef

Stir-frying with sauce helps coat and tenderize thin slices of beef. That’s what gives Kung Pao Beef a soft bite without long cooking. Even firmer cuts hold up well.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Beef

Beef Birria

Long cooking works magic on beef that’s usually tough and stringy. That’s why Beef Birria ends up falling apart with barely any effort. It’s rich, juicy, and perfect for soft tacos or dipping.
Get the Recipe: Beef Birria

Low Carb Sausage Balls

Keto Sausage Balls with dip in the middle. — Low Carb Sausage Balls. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

A good bake helps sausage keep its juices while softening the texture. That’s why Low Carb Sausage Balls come out tender and easy to bite into. Even dense cuts stay moist.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Sausage Balls

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish. — Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When beef is cooked down slowly, it turns soft and full of flavor. That’s what makes Walking Taco Casserole a solid way to use tougher meat. It comes out rich and easy to scoop.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Beef bulgogi in a bowl with rice and cucumbers. — Beef Bulgogi Bowls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A quick marinade can do a lot for beef that’s normally hard to chew. That’s what makes Beef Bulgogi Bowls such a good way to turn firm cuts into something easy to eat. Thin slices help everything stay tender.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Crunchy Low Carb Taco Cups

Easy Crunchy Keto Taco Cups on a white board with cilantro. — Crunchy Low Carb Taco Cups. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Even firm beef becomes soft when browned just right and tucked into something crisp. That’s where Crunchy Low Carb Taco Cups hit a good balance between texture and bite. The meat holds its flavor and stays juicy.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Low Carb Taco Cups

Szechuan Beef

High heat and thin slices can turn firm beef into something soft and full of bite. That’s how Szechuan Beef delivers bold texture without toughness. Every piece stays tender and quick to chew.
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Beef

Crispy Beef

Frying helps lock in juices while keeping the texture crisp on the outside. That’s why Crispy Beef works well with cuts that usually need slow cooking. The heat makes the edges crunchy and the inside stay soft.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Beef

Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Barbacoa tacos on a tray topped with peppers and onions. — Slow Cooker Barbacoa. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Long hours in the slow cooker break down even the toughest beef. That’s what gives Slow Cooker Barbacoa its pull-apart texture. It ends up tender without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Meatball Casserole

Even firm meat turns soft when shaped, cooked slowly, and baked in sauce. That’s what makes Meatball Casserole so good with ground cuts that need a little help. Everything stays tender and moist.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Casserole

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Simmered beef gets a chance to soften while soaking up flavor. That’s where Slow Cooker Chili Mac really works well with tougher ground cuts. It’s hearty without being chewy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Low Carb Taco Salad Bowl with Mexican Ground Beef

Taco salad in edible salad bowl. — Low Carb Taco Salad Bowl with Mexican Ground Beef. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Cooking ground meat low and slow makes a big difference in how tender it turns out. That’s why Low Carb Taco Salad Bowl with Mexican Ground Beef is a go-to for getting that soft texture. It never ends up dry or rubbery.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Taco Salad Bowl with Mexican Ground Beef

Beef Lo Mein

Quick stir-fry cooking locks in juices if the beef is prepped right. That’s why Beef Lo Mein works with leaner, tougher meat when sliced thin. It stays smooth and easy to eat.
Get the Recipe: Beef Lo Mein