While cooking meat isn’t the hardest thing in the world, it can definitely be overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with it. There are lots of things that can go wrong — it can be too try, overcooked or undercooked, and it might take way longer to thaw out than you thought.

Luckily, we have compiled 10 tips and tricks that will make your meat adventures so seamless moving forward. Give ’em a shot and let us know what you think!

1. Tenderize meat with baking soda

Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to every 8 ounces of meat (or half pound). Once you mix it, let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then rinse the baking soda off the meat with cold water. This works on most types of meats!

2. Defrost meat on foil

Aluminum is a conductor, which makes it hold more heat than your countertop or plate. For this reason, if you place meat on foil, it will defrost up to 30 percent faster.

3. Weave bacon together

Bacon is already delicious but if you weave it, it becomes even better! Use this move on your next BLT or breakfast plate and it will feel elevated.

4. Shred your chicken

Shredding chicken might seem like a hassle but it is actually so easy to do and so tasty. All you have to do is mix it in a mixing bowl and it will be done in seconds. A great way to prepare it and switch it up!

5. Make slow cooker wings

These taste so good and are surprisingly so easy to make. Put your wings in the slow cooker and then add two cups of buffalo sauce on top. Cook that mixture for one hour on high heat and then bake the wings for a half-hour at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush them with more sauce and then pop them back in the oven until they get nice and crispy. We promise you, they are worth it.

6. Save money and cut pork loin

Believe it or not, cutting your pork loins can save you a lot of money. See how here.

7. Make a steak in a cast-iron skillet

Heat your skillet on high heat with some olive oil and season your steak with salt and pepper. Put it on the skillet for 3-5 minutes on each side (depending on the steak and how you prefer it) and then it’s done. It truly could not be easier and it will taste great!

8. Know when steak is ready

Use the graph above when you are trying to figure out if a steak is ready or not. Simply go by the feeling of the skin slightly under your thumb on the back of your hand.

9. Cook bacon like this

Try cooking your bacon on a metal cooling rack in the oven. Set it on 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake it for about 15-20 minutes. Easy-peezy!

10. Skip dry chicken and try this

No one likes dry chicken! To avoid it, try stuffing it with an apple when cooking it. That should keep the chicken moist.

Let us know if you try any of these hacks and if they helped!

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Source: eHow / Home Hacks