These are some of my solutions to make meat more tender. - Beef for stew: cook in pressure cooker or slow cooker until tender and ready to pull apart. Add beef broth and lots of veggies to flavor the meat. - Steak cuts - make sure beef is room temperature and well seasoned with salt on both sides. - Think Steaks - use a meat tenderizer to break the fibers. - Roasts, grilled meats or cooked in cast iron skillet steaks need to rest for about 10 minutes before you cut them.