What Is Mock Tender Steak?

what is mock tender steak

Mock tender steak is essentially a large piece of beef that comes from the area near the shoulder.

It’s not as tender as other cuts of steak, like sirloin or ribeye, but it does have its place in certain dishes.

Most mock tender steaks are about four inches thick and typically weigh between half a pound and one full pound.

In this post, we answer what is mock tender steak? To help you better understand this cut of meat and decide whether you want to give it a try.

Let’s get to it…

What Exactly Is Mock Tender Steak?

Mock Tender steak is a cut of beef that is taken from the area near the shoulder. This cut of steak is also known as mock tender, flat iron, or top blade steak.

It’s a relatively new cut of beef that is very popular because it has a rich and intensely beefy flavor with little fat and good marbling and texture.

Mock tender steak gets its name from the large, central muscle called the longissimus dorsi – also known as the lats.

This is where you get your “longissimus” from.

This large muscle is divided into smaller portions of meat before it can be cooked.

One of these smaller portions is the mock tender steak, which is on one side of the lats and is separated by a common tendon that runs through their area.

The other portion is the flat iron steak, this steak is just on the other side of the common tendon.

The mock tender is separated from the flat iron by the large tendinous section that runs down about halfway.

This very much resembles a tender-loin steak, which is also cut into two pieces along a muscle that contains a “tendon”.

How Is Mock Tender Steak Best Cooked?

When it comes to cooking a Mock tender steak, it’s best to use high heat and fast cooking.

It is not conducive to slow cooking, because the steak will get tough and be hard to eat.

Be sure to use a very hot pan, and take the steak out of the fridge before cooking it.

About an hour should be sufficient time to bring this cut up to room temperature (depending on thickness).

Place a hot cast iron or stainless steel skillet on top of your grill, making sure it is very clean.

Once the pan is hot, add some high smoke point oil like refined grapeseed oil or clarified butter.

Let the steak sear on the bottom for 1-2 minutes, then flip and sear the other side.

It should cook quickly, taking 4-5 minutes total to cook a 1-inch thick steak.

However, you need to use your best judgment when cooking it because every cut of meat is different.

The amount of time this cut takes to cook largely depends on the doneness you prefer, but 4 – 5 minutes should do it.

Another great way to cook this cut, which is my personal favorite is to braise it.

Braising Mock tender steak is done by searing the steak, placing it in a pan with beef broth, and either baking it at 300 degrees for 1 hour or simmering it on the stovetop.

The braising method will give you a tender, moist cut every time.

How Is Mock Tender Steak Best Served?

Serving Mock tender steak is easy, you can serve it on its own or with any side dishes.

Mock Tender Steak is very soft and delicious, so it goes well with many side dishes like mashed potatoes, cornbread, veggies, etc…

Ensure that you serve with steak butter to keep the steak nice and juicy once served.

How Is Mock Tender Steak Best Prepared?

Preparing a Mock tender steak meal doesn’t take much work, but to ensure your steak is soft and delicious you should take some extra time in prepping.

First, you should prepare the mock tender steak as normal by applying salt, pepper, and any other preferred spices as desired.

Then let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking to make sure it’s really tender.

After letting the Mock tender sit, it’s a good idea to parboil the steak to help it become soft and juicy.

This can be done by adding a little oil along with seasoning to boiling water, then submerging the Mock tender in the pot for 5-10 minutes.

Finally, start the cooking process and cook up a storm for your guests!

Is Mock Tender Steak Expensive?

If your mouth is watering (because mine certainly is), you’ll likely want to know how expensive Mock tender steak is.

The average price for Mock tender steak is around $5.00 per pound, but the price may vary depending on where you live and seasonality.

Mock tender is simply a tough cut of beef that has been made soft through an arduous process that involves massaging it to break down fibers or with water to help tenderize the cut of beef.

The result is a piece of steak that is tougher than a New York Strip but still has the strip’s unique texture and tenderness of Tenderloin.

This is why it’s important to tenderize this cut and use methods that help break down the fibers, such as braising.

Where Is Mock Tender Steak Commonly Found?

Mock tender steak can be found in North America and is commonly found in the Midwest.

It’s not widely used in Canada, but it can be found in the U.S and Saskatchewan (Canada).

It’s not very common in the UK or Australia.

You’ll be able to pick up a Mock tender steak in most butcher shops around the US and in some supermarkets.

What Does Mock Tender Steak Look Like?

Mock tender steak is a cylindrical cut of meat.

It’s usually about 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick and can range from 1-3lbs in weight per piece.

You’ll find that these steaks are almost always sold as more than one, as they’re not very big and usually require at least two to satisfy an adult.

That being said, you can find some more substantial-sized pieces of mock tender steak in the US.

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Mock Tender Steak?

When it comes to the nutritional value of Mock tender steak, it’s low in calories and high in protein.

It’s also a good source of iron and vitamin B12. This makes it great for those looking to eat a high-protein meal but still, watch their figure.

See below the nutritional breakdown of 1oz of Mock Tender steak;

  • Calories = 31
  • Fat = 0.9g
  • Saturated Fat = 0.3g
  • Carbohydrates = -0
  • Sugar = 0
  • Protein = 5.4g

As you can see, it’s very healthy meat and makes a great option for gym-goers.

Not only that, but as this cut is affordable, it’s perfect for cutting costs without sacrificing your protein intake.

Other Considerations

It’s worth keeping in mind that Mock tender steak is a very lean cut of meat, which means it will lack a bit of flavor.

When cooking with mock tender steak especially, you may need to add extra flavoring and spices.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this cut can be a little tough as not all the collagen has been broken down within the muscle.

This doesn’t make it a bad cut, but it’s something you should be aware of.

It’s not going to taste like a succulent Filet Mignon or a Sirloin, even with lots of seasoning and tenderizing sadly.

However, Mock tender is still very easy to cook and it’s a lot cheaper than more premium cuts of meat.

If you’re on a budget, Mock tender steak is definitely an option worth considering.

For one thing, the tenderloin, which makes up most of mock tender, is not known for its flavor anyway.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mock tender steak is an affordable, healthy, and excellent choice for those looking to add variety to their diet.

So next time you’re looking for something new to try, why not give mock tender a chance?

Hopefully, we’ve answered your question of what is mock tender steak? And you now know more about this cut than you did previously.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post and feel free to share it with someone who may find it of value.

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