Simple Steak Marinade
Amber Bracegirdle | Bluebonnet BakerDiscover how to make a simple steak marinade to add lots of flavor and make your steak not just tasty, but tender too!
Marinating steak is a very quick and easy way to add extra flavor. Depending on the ingredients and length of time involved, it can also be a good way to break down the fibers in the meat.
This gives you tender results and is a great way to save money, as it means you can buy the more economical cuts of meat and still produce a tasty, juicy dish!
How Long Should I Marinate Steak?
Just 20 minutes in a marinade can add flavor to your steak, but if you have the time then you should leave it for anywhere up to 8 hours.
More than that and you risk OVER-tenderizing the meat and making it mushy. And no one wants mushy steak!
The only exception to this would be if you have bought a cheaper cut of meat. These tend to be a lot tougher, so an extended marinating time can be helpful.
How Much Marinade Should I Use?
As a rule of thumb, for every 1 pound of steak, you'll need approximately 1/2 cup of marinade.
Can I Use the Marinade to Baste the Meat?
We recommend discarding the marinade once you remove the steak in order to cook it. Bcause it has touched the raw steak, it's actually unsafe to use.
Instead, we suggest setting aside a portion of the marinade before adding the steak. You can then safely use it to baste the meat.
How to Marinate Steak
The easiest way to marinate your steak is to put the marinade and meat into a large, zip-top bag.
This allows you to cover every part of the steak, and it's easy to turn it over halfway through to make sure that both sides are evenly done.
Alternately, use a shallow baking dish and lay the steaks down flat. Halfway through, flip the steaks being sure they're evenly coated.
Simple Steak Marinade Recipes
There are number of ways to make a delicious steak marinade. In general you want to use a combination of oil, some form of acid like vinegar or citrus juice, and seasonings.
Examples of such seasonings would be things like salt, pepper, herbs or garlic. You can adapt any of these recipes to suit your taste or to work with what you have on hand.
Soy Sauce Marinade
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/3 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
Directions
- In small mixing bowl combine all ingredients and then and whisk until combined.
- If using right away, pouring over steak, chicken, or pork and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- To use later, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Recommended
Fajita Marinade
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Lime Juice
- 1/3 cup Pineapple Juice
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Directions
- Place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine.
- To use immediately, pour over steak, chicken, or pork. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- For later use, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Recommended
This final steak marinade is perhaps the easiest of all to make, although they are all quick and simple. It's a classic steak marinade that results in the perfect flavor every time.
Simple Steak Marinade
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Italian Dressing
- 1/2 cup A1 Steak Sauce
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Use right away by pouring over steak, chicken, or pork then refrigerate for 20 minutes or longer.
- Alternately, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until used for up to 3 days.
Recommended
If you're looking for something a bit different, you may also like this recipe for miso marinated steak salad. It's such a delicious dish?
Love steak tacos? Any of these steak marinades would work great, especially our fajita marinade!
And if you need tips for cooking the perfect steak, check out our guide on how to cook a ribeye steak.
About Amber
Amber is a native Texan, born to a family of fabulous cooks. She shares her love of all things Tex-Mex and Southern both on her blog, Bluebonnet Baker, and here on Food Fanatic. She heavily endorses the use of the contraction "y'all".
