The Secret to Meltingly Tender Mutton: Natural Tenderizers That Actually Work
Raw papaya, curd, lemon and salt, with the quantities and timings that tender mutton needs. Too long and the meat turns mushy or tough.
Raw materials
All quantities below are for one 450 g pack. Boneless mutton takes tenderizers evenly.
Ingredients
Method
Pick one method per pack. They are not meant to be stacked.
- 01Get set
Take the mutton out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. Do not wash it: Meatigo mutton is cleaned and ready to cook from pack to pan. Pat the pieces dry and cut boneless mutton into even 3 cm cubes.
- 02Raw papaya: 30 to 45 minutes
Raw papaya contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down muscle fibres. Mix 1 tablespoon of paste with the mutton and leave it for 30 to 45 minutes only. Longer than an hour makes the meat mushy. Ripe papaya is not a substitute.
- 03Curd: 2 to 8 hours
Thick curd tenderizes gently through its acidity and calcium. Coat the mutton in 3 tablespoons of curd and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours. It is the most forgiving method and a good place to start.
- 04Lemon juice: 30 minutes
Acid loosens the surface of the meat. Use 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per pack for 30 minutes at most. Too much, or too long, turns the meat tough and chalky.
- 05Salt: 30 minutes to overnight
A dry brine of half a teaspoon of salt helps the meat hold on to moisture as it cooks. Salt the pieces, rest them in the fridge for 30 minutes up to overnight, then pat dry before cooking.
- 06Cook gently
Whichever method you use, finish with low, slow heat: simmer in a curry or pressure cook until tender. Boiling hard toughens meat.
- 07Rest
Rest cooked mutton for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so the juices settle.
Questions
Which tenderizer is best for beginners?+
Curd. It is gentle, hard to overdo and adds flavour. Use it for 2 to 8 hours.
Can I combine papaya and curd?+
It is not recommended. Papain keeps working for as long as it is in contact with the meat, and the combined marinade can turn it mushy. Use one method per pack.
Does tenderizing replace slow cooking?+
No. Tenderizers help, but gentle cooking until the meat is soft does most of the work, especially for bone-in cuts.
Start with the boneless
Fresh boneless mutton from Meatigo, delivered to your door.
Shop mutton on Meatigo