The Best Meat Claws for Your Barbecue

The Best Meat Claws for Your Barbecue

Grilling can be one of the most rewarding and fun family bonding activities. To keep things interesting, we’re always trying to find new and exciting ways to prep our meats. One of the more recent additions to the great canon of grilling is the meat claw. Meat claws are sharp metal or plastic “claws” that you can use to shred or carve your meat. They’re perfect for getting that distinct pulled pork texture or carving off some flavorful dark meat from a turkey. What seasoned grill-master wouldn’t want to add this versatile tool to their arsenal? We’ve put together this list of the best meat claws around to help you take your grilling to the next level.

Bear Paws Meat Claws

Tough as a Bear

Shred and carve like a pro with the original meat claws.
Best Overall

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If you’re in the market for some meat claws, why not go with the brand that started the craze? Bear Paws meat claws were the first ones on the market, and since then, companies have been doing their best to emulate their stellar performance. These meat claws are made of heat-resistant nylon graded up to 475 degrees, so you never have to worry about melting while shredding close to the grill. Bear Paws offers four different color options for its meat claws as well. For anyone looking for the authentic and original meat claw experience, this is the pick for you.

Pros:

  • The original meat claws
  • Melt-resistant nylon design
  • Get the job done without being too sharp or dangerous

Cons:

  • Not as sharp as some of the stainless steel varieties

Mountain Grillers Meat Claws

Shred Safe

These safe and sturdy meat claws help you get those perfect cuts.
Most Lightweight

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These meat claws from Mountain Grillers are an economical choice for anyone looking to start shredding ASAP. With these meat claws, there’s no need to fumble around with sharp carving knives or forks. Just stabilize the cut with one hand, carve with the other, and you’ll have yourself some delectable shreds in no time. One thing we love about these meat claws is the amount of space they provide between your knuckles and the meat. This space prevents your hands from getting too close to the hot meat or grill while still achieving precise shreds. Mountain Grillers also offers a stainless steel version for a couple more bucks. Whether you choose nylon or stainless steel, you’ll get an effective pair of meat claws either way.

Pros:

  • Stainless steel and nylon options offered
  • Ample space between claws and knuckles to keep your hands safe
  • Affordable choice

Cons:

  • Not the most durable product

Cave Tools Meat Claws

Steel Shredding

These stainless steel meat claws provide precise cuts and powerful shreds.
Best Grips

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If you’re looking for no-nonsense, razor-sharp meat claws for some serious BBQ action, these beauties from Cave Tools are right up your alley. These stainless steel claws have a sharp, sturdy design that cuts through meat with ease, making shredding a breeze. The claws’ curved shape prevents the meat from getting stuck between the prongs while shredding. These meat claws are a little bit pricier than some of our other picks, but we think they’re well worth the asking price.

Pros:

  • Sharp and durable stainless steel construction
  • The curved design prevents the meat from getting stuck between prongs

Cons:

  • A little more expensive
  • Sharp edges require more caution when using

AMZ BBQ Club Meat Claws with Heat-Resistant Gloves

Like a Glove

This meat claw and glove combo will help you protect your hands while shredding.
Best Value

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Meat claws and heat-resistant gloves should go hand in hand, but unfortunately, we haven’t seen that many combo deals on the market. That’s where AMZ BBQ Club’s meat claw/glove combo comes in. This convenient two-pack offers high-quality meat claws and a durable pair of heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from heat and sharp edges while shredding. Not to mention, these meat claws are no joke. Their heavy-duty stainless steel prongs and pinpoint edges will pierce through your cuts in no time. We can’t recommend this combo deal enough for grill-masters who want to shred safely.

Pros:

  • Includes high-quality heat-resistant gloves
  • Sharp, ergonomically shaped claws

Cons:

  • The gloves are on the small side

Jeantrix Meat Claws

Classic Claws

Dig in deep with these sharp stainless steel meat claws.
Best Functionality

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Most meat claws have a nylon or metal handle, but these classic-looking claws feature a rustic wood handle that we just can’t get enough of. The look of these claws harkens back to a different era, while the intuitive and effective design of the prongs provides a distinctly modern result. These claws are stainless steel, sharp as can be, and durable. Jeantrix separates their claws from the pack by adding in some highly convenient and innovative functions. One meat claw has a bottle opener on the side, and the other has a sharp blade for cutting. That means you can shred, cut, and crack open a brew, all with the same BBQ tool. These meat claws are some of our favorites around, and considering how affordable they are, this deal is a true steal.

Pros:

  • Sharp, durable stainless steel meat claws
  • Classy wood handle
  • Features a bottle opener and blade

Cons:

  • The handle might be too small for larger hands

Frequently Asked Questions

What are meat claws primarily used for?

Any time you’re trying to prep your meat to have a pulled pork or shredded texture, there’s no better tool to use than meat claws. You can achieve this texture with a carving knife, but meat claws will get you there faster.

What’s the best meat clawing technique?

Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes, but there is one method widely regarded to be the safest and most effective. With your non-dominant hand, pierce the meat deeply to hold it in place, and with your dominant hand, shred away. This method allows you to keep your cut stable with one hand and shred safely with the other.