This recipe for the best, easy steak marinade is the absolute easiest and tastiest way to marinate steaks! You will love how much flavor this easy marinade imparts into your steaks! If you have been wondering how to marinate a steak, then this post has all my best tips and tricks!
Watch this Recipe Cooked Step-by-step
This simple steak marinade and easy marinade recipe for the will really take your summer time steak grilling to the next level
I have been using this easy steak marinade recipe for years and love that all the ingredients are readily available in my fridge. The ingredients and amounts are really flexible and once you get the basic marinade recipe down, you can adjust to your taste!
Marinating Steaks: Step by Step
It is easy to marinate a steak and will make your at home grilled steaks taste just like a restaurant steak!
- The easy way to marinate a steak is to throw all your ingredients into a zip top baggie and then add your steaks and shake that bag up!
- Lay flat to evenly distribute ingredients and then place in the fridge.
- Every hour or so, turn the bag over if you can! If you can’t, no big deal!
- Half an hour before cooking, remove the bag from the fridge.
- You always want to cook room temperature steak in order to get the tastiest and juiciest steak!
If you don’t want to use a plastic bag, you can use one of these marinade trays!
These trays make things mess free and easy!
How long do you marinate steak?
The marinate time really depends on the cut of meat. To really simplify it, the cheaper the meat, the longer I marinate.
So a cheap sirloin tip steak gets 6-8 hours, or even overnight, while a NY strip steak only needs about 2 hours.
This is also a great money saving tip! Buy a cheaper cut of steak and let it marinate over night. The marinade will add tenderness and flavor and no one will never know that you didn’t spring for the super expensive cuts of meat!
Hey, not every occasion calls for filet, right?
If you are looking for a great steak marinade recipe, then you definitely want to try this one! It adds amazing flavor to your steak and could not be easier!
Serve your grilled steaks with some of my favorite summertime side dishes!
- Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Instant Pot Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Salad
Your steak marinade ingredients and recipe seen below:
The Best Ever Steak Marinade
This recipe for the easiest and best steak marinade will make your summer time steaks taste amazing!
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp steak sauce A-1 Heinz 57 or whatever you like!
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
-
Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. Pour over your steaks in a baggie and refrigerate anywhere from 2-24 hours. Shake the baggie every few hours to redistribute marinade.
-
Cook steaks as desired.
The Science of Marination:
At its core, marination is a process of soaking meat in a seasoned liquid, typically containing ingredients like herbs, spices, oils, and acidic elements such as vinegar or citrus juice. But what exactly makes marination so effective in enhancing the flavor of steaks?
- Tenderization: Marinades work wonders in tenderizing tough cuts of meat like steak. The acidic components in marinades, such as vinegar or lemon juice, help break down the muscle fibers in the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy texture. This tenderization process not only improves the eating experience but also allows the flavors to penetrate deeper into the steak.
- Flavor Infusion: One of the most remarkable benefits of marinating steaks is the infusion of flavors. The combination of herbs, spices, and other seasonings in the marinade seeps into the meat, imparting it with layers of taste and aroma. Whether you prefer a zesty citrus marinade, a smoky barbecue blend, or a savory herb-infused concoction, the possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing your steak’s flavor profile through marination.
- Moisture Retention: Dry, flavorless steaks are a thing of the past when you harness the power of marinades. By coating the meat in a flavorful liquid, marinades help lock in moisture, preventing the steak from drying out during the cooking process. The result? Juicy, mouthwatering steaks that are bursting with flavor with every bite.
Tips for Marinating Steaks
Now that we’ve uncovered the magic of marinades, here are some expert tips to ensure your steaks reach their flavor-packed potential:
- Choose the Right Cut: While marinades can enhance the flavor and tenderness of any steak, selecting the right cut can make a difference. Opt for cuts with some marbling or fat content, such as ribeye or sirloin, as they will benefit most from the tenderizing and flavor-enhancing effects of marination.
- Allow for Adequate Marinating Time: Patience is key when it comes to marinating steaks. For optimal flavor infusion, allow the meat to marinate for at least 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the thickness of the steak and the intensity of the marinade flavors.
- Don’t Overdo the Acid: While acidic ingredients like vinegar or citrus juice can tenderize the meat, too much acidity can have the opposite effect, turning the steak mushy or mealy. Aim for a balanced marinade recipe that provides flavor without overwhelming the meat.
- Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your marinades! Explore different combinations of herbs, spices, oils, and liquids to create unique flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re craving a tangy teriyaki twist or a fiery chili kick, the possibilities are endless.
The next time you fire up the grill for a steak dinner, don’t underestimate the power of marination. From tenderizing tough cuts to infusing them with mouthwatering flavors, marinades are the secret ingredient that can take your steaks from ordinary to extraordinary. So, embrace the art of marination and treat your taste buds to a culinary adventure they won’t soon forget!
Looks delicious and for sure you used quality meat on that.