Abstract: A meat tenderizing machine having a press plate with teeth on a lower surface thereof for effecting tenderization of a cut of meat. This plate extends parallel to an upper surface of a meat supporting mechanism. There are power means for reciprocating a press plate towards and away from the support mechanism. This reciprocating means can be adjusted in order to adjust the reciprocal movement of the press plate and thus the distance between the lower surface of the press plate and the upper surface of the meat support mechanism when the press plate is in a fully lowered position. Preferably the reciprocating means is a plunger connected to the press plate, a guide for the plunger, a crank shaft rotatably mounted on a support structure, and a connecting rod pivotally connected to the crank shaft and the plunger.