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Simple Steak Marinade

Discover 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!

Flank Steak Tacos Photo
(Erin S.)

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.

Miso Marinated Steak Salad with Avocado Picture
(Meghan Yager)

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.

Carne Asada Nachos Picture
(Meghan Yager)

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.

Carne Asada Salad Image
(Lisa Grant)

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.

Steak Sandwich Pic
(Stock Art)

 

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.

Oil and Vinegar Dressing Photo

Simple Steak Marinade

Cyd Converse
This super simple steak marinade is made with just four ingredients and results in the perfect steak every time.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Seasoning
Servings 1
Calories 777 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Italian Dressing
  • 1/2 cup A1 Steak Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Instructions
 

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 777kcalCarbohydrates: 51gFat: 66gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 5235mgSugar: 33g
Keyword Marinades, Steak
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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.

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)