Why is it important to massage pre-marinated meat?

Massaging pre-marinated meat is important primarily because it helps to ensure that the marinade is evenly distributed and absorbed into the meat. This process allows the flavors of the marinade to penetrate deeply, resulting in a more flavorful end product. The action of massaging encourages the meat fibers to relax and opens up pores, allowing the marinade's flavors and seasonings to mingle more effectively with the meat.

While tenderizing the meat can be a benefit and enhancing flavor after cooking is valuable, these aspects are secondary to the goal of achieving thorough absorption of the marinade. Making the meat visually appealing does not play a role in the primary purpose of massaging it in this context. The focus on flavor infusion and proper seasoning absorption underscores the importance of this technique in cooking, particularly when preparing marinated dishes.