Yes, Sprite Is A Great Steak Tenderizer
Next time you're at the grocery store picking up a nice piece of steak, don't forget to head down the soda aisle. No, you're not picking up some mixers to whip up easy summer cocktails, but instead, you're picking up your steak marinade. Yes, you read that correctly. You're going to need a bottle of Sprite to pair with that sirloin. While it may be a beverage, the soft drink can also act as a great tenderizer.
One TikToker showed his followers how they could cook a Sprite steak, complete with a steak butter sauce. This may be a case of don't knock it before you try it, even if the pairing sounds a bit odd at first.
It's not totally out of left field that marinating steak in Sprite would make sense, considering soda is already a popular marinade for steak. Soda, including Sprite, can be used as a tenderizer due to the high level of acid in the soft drink. Sodas contain phosphoric and citric acid, which are both good at breaking down the toughness of the meat. Similar to vinegar and lemon juice, also popular tenderizers, Sprite and its lemon-lime flavor make for a great tenderizer and also a flavor enhancer.
Soda and meat is a match made in heaven
The viral TikTok video shows just how to marinate and cook steak with Sprite. First, the steak is fully submerged in a bowl of Sprite. The steak sits for a few minutes until you can see the fibers of the meat separating. However, if you want your steak to be even more tender, you can set it in the refrigerator for up to two hours. Next, blot your steak with a paper towel, then place it in a roaring hot skillet.
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While the steak is searing, sliced butter is doused in the Sprite, set in the pan, and then infused with fresh thyme before basting the meat. Lastly, more Sprite is added to deglaze the pan and to, "Add the lemon flavor." The steak rests for two minutes and is ready to eat. Using soda like Sprite to tenderize meat isn't everyone's cup of tea. While some commenters appreciated the viral hack, others felt repulsed also pointing out that the Sprite steak lacked any other kind of seasoning. One commenter wrote, "Didn't season the steak. This should be illegal."
If you are going to try soda as a tenderizer, don't feel limited to just Sprite. You can also try dark colas, such as Dr. Pepper, which pairs well with ribs, creating a sticky, sweet sauce.