My meat shrinks dramatically the moment it hits the pan — what causes that?. Full article 👇 💬

For example, a flank steak with its long, parallel fibers will shrink more along its length than a filet mignon, which has a finer grain structure. Understanding the structure of the meat can help in choosing the right cooking method to minimize shrinkage.

Brining and marinating meat can help retain moisture and reduce shrinkage by infusing the meat with additional liquid and flavor. The salt in a brine solution causes the proteins to break down slightly, allowing the meat to absorb more water.

However, if not done correctly, these methods can also lead to overly salty or mushy meat. It’s important to balance the time and concentration of the brine or marinade to achieve the desired effect without compromising texture.

There are numerous viral hacks and tips that claim to prevent meat shrinkage, such as using baking soda or cornstarch to coat the meat before cooking. While some of these methods may have merit, they often address the symptoms rather than the cause