Why minced meat for cutlets should not be kneaded by hand: we tell you how to do it right

Cutlets are one of the favorite dishes of many Ukrainian families. They seem simple to prepare, but even such a commonplace dish has its own nuances that can affect its taste and texture. One of the most common mistakes made by housewives is kneading minced meat by hand.

The FoodOboz editorial team will tell you why you should avoid kneading minced meat by hand. These simple rules will help you get truly perfect products in terms of taste and texture.

Most people are used to kneading minced meat with their hands, believing that this is the best way to combine the ingredients. However, this is a serious mistake that negatively affects the final result.

If you knead the minced meat by hand, it becomes too homogeneous. With intensive kneading by hand, the meat loses its airy structure. This makes the cutlets dense, "rubbery".

The heat of the hands spoils the consistency of the minced meat. When the minced meat comes into contact with your hands, it heats up, which leads to the premature release of proteins and fat. As a result, the minced meat becomes sticky, and the cutlets are dry and tough.

How to avoid this mistake

To keep the cutlets juicy, you should use special tools:

• A silicone spatula or a wooden spoon. These tools allow you to mix the ingredients evenly without heating the minced meat and destroying its texture.
• A bowl and a fork. If you don't have a special tool, use a fork to gently mix the minced ingredients in a bowl.
• Do not get carried away with beating. Lightly "beating" the minced meat a few times will help make it a little more plastic, but it is very important not to overdo it, because it destroys the tenderness and leads to a loss of juiciness.

Tips for perfect cutlets

1. Observe the temperature regime: work with minced meat that has just come out of the refrigerator.

2. Keep track of the number of stirrings: there should be a minimum number of them.

3. Choose the right ingredients: adding bread crumbs, eggs, or milk will help keep the dish light and fluffy.