The Best Steak Marinade (2024)

This easy steak marinade adds lots of flavor while making steaks extra tender. The result is a steakhouse quality steak without the hefty price tag.

Try it on flank or skirt steak, strip loin, or sirloin! Even a few dashes can be added tohamburgerpatties before they go on the grill!

Any store-bought vinaigrette-style dressing can serve as a marinade, but a homemade steak marinade recipe has so much more flavor! It is so easy to make—plus you can tailor it with whatever is in the fridge or pantry!

Why Marinate a Steak

• Tenderize:Marinades contain acidic ingredients like wine, vinegar, lemon juice, or any combination of them. The acids change the consistency of the meat,making it tender.
• Flavor:Marinades usually contain salt, herbs, aromatics, & bold flavors which in turnflavor the meat.
• Caramelize:Marinades help withcaramelizationto give that nice brown crust we love so much.

Steak Marinade Basics

You probably have most, if not all of the steak marinade ingredients on hand!

• An acid– pretty much anything goes, as long as the acidic component is there! This recipe uses balsamic vinegar.
• Whateverherbs or spicesyou want to toss into the mix!Italian seasoning mix, basil, parley, or thyme are favorites.
• Mincedgarlicalways adds great flavor. Use garlic powder if it’s what you have.
• Don’t forget thesalt and pepper. Soy sauce or other salty favorites can be added.

How Long to Marinate a steak

I more often use a marinade for steaks that aren’t as tender. Filet mignon orribeyeare perfectly tender without marinating. However, they can be marinated for a short period for flavor if you’d like.

Steaks such as New York strip or sirloin can marinate for about 4 hours. If left too long the acids in the marinade can break down the meat too much and the texture can become unpleasant and mushy so don’t leave them too long.

Tougher cuts of beef like a flank steak, skirt steak, or even chuck can marinate longer, up to 24 hours (I usually do it the night before for the next day’s dinner).

Tips

• Steak marinade is perfect to use on those tougher, less expensive cuts of meat.
• Marinate meat in a non-metal (glass or plastic) container or a freezer bag in the refrigerator.
• Discard used marinade or boil it at a rolling boil for a few minutes to ensure it reaches 165°F.
• Freeze marinade in ice cubes trays so you can pop out as little or as much as you like when it’s time to marinate a steak-this way the marinade stays fresh!