Abstract: There is provided a method for tenderizing cut portions of meat, wherein the portions are slit by passing the portions into a plurality of rotating slitting blades having a plurality of discrete cutting surfaces on each slitting blade along the periphery thereof. A series of closely spaced first cut slits are produced from at least one surface into the said portions. The portions are then sprayed with a tenderizer solution containing a tenderizing phosphate, and the solution penetrates into and is retained in the said first slits. Further slitting of the portions is achieved by passing the portions into a further assembly of the rotating slitting blades and a series of closely spaced further cut slits are placed on the portions. The further slits are close to or in part overlap the first slits and the solution penetrates from or flows from the first slits into the said further slits during the further slitting and subsequent thereto. Immediately thereafter the portions are packaged and fast frozen.