The One and Only Steak Marinade You Need

Name: The One and Only Steak Marinade You Need
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup Avocado or Olive oil; 2 tablespoons Soy sauce; 1 whole Orange (juiced); ½ Lemon (juiced); 1 tablespoon Garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon Dried thyme; 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary; 1 teaspoon Black pepper

by Tamara J. on Aug 4, 2023 (updated Sep 19, 2024)

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5 stars (1 review)

This is the only steak marinade you will ever need! Make it quick and easy with just 10 minutes and a few pantry staples, for all your delicious steak recipes.

Once you whip up this quick steak marinade, use it for recipes like this Reverse Sear Steak, One Skillet Steak and Potatoes, and these Steak Skewers.

This easy steak marinade recipe is the foundation of my favorite steak recipes. A good marinade can make or break a meal. It can also elevate a cheap steak to restaurant quality.

Mine includes soy sauce, a pop of citrus flavor, herbs, and fresh garlic.

Why We Love This Steak Marinade Recipe:

So Simple! Make your own marinade using simple ingredients already stocked in your kitchen.

Great Results! This vastly improves the taste and texture of whatever meat it is added to. I love an upgrade!

Super Versatile! Mix and match the ingredients to make the best steak marinade for your taste buds.

sliced steak surrounded by herbs on a cutting board

What is a steak marinade?

It is a liquid solution that is added to raw steak to enhance the flavor and texture. Steak marinade has three main components:

Acid: This breaks down the meat to make it tender.
Oil: This adds and seals in moisture.
Flavor: This enhances the overall taste.

Should you marinate steak?

You should definitely marinate steak before cooking it. Not only does it enhance the flavor, but it also tenderizes the meat. So if you have a tougher cut of steak (like skirt steak or flank steak) that tends to be rough, this transforms it into a juicy steak.

Additionally, steak marinade allows the meat to carmelize once it touches a hot skillet, resulting in a brown crust that adds a greater depth of flavor.

How does a marinade work?

The acid present in marinade recipes breaks down the muscle fibers in the meat, for a tender consistency. Allowing the marinade to mingle with the meat, also gives it time to infuse the steak with flavor.

Marinade Ingredients:

Oil: Use avocado oil or olive oil for added moisture. This locks in the juices.
Soy sauce: This adds a mouthwatering umami flavor. If you use this, you will not need to add salt because this is high in sodium. You can also use low-sodium soy sauce.
Citrus: Use orange juice and lemon juice for their acidity.
Fresh garlic: Minced.
Dried herbs: I love herb-infused beef so I use dried thyme and dried rosemary.
Black pepper: For a dash of peppery flavor.

Instructions to Make Steak Marinade:

Add olive oil and soy sauce to a large bowl.

preparing marinade in a bowl, starting with pouring olive oil

Then slice an orange and lemon in half, and juice them into the bowl with the soy sauce and oil. Whisk until they are combined.

Now add minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper. Use a spoon to stir the marinade up until everything is fully incorporated.

adding minced garlic to a bowl of ingredients for steak marinade

Store the marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or use it right away by pouring the marinade over your favorite cut of steak.

pouring marinade into a ziploc bag filled with steak

How long should you marinate a steak for?

Marinating time can vary from 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the quality, variety, and size of the steak.

It depends on the type of steak. High-quality steaks need less time to marinate because they tend to naturally be more tender. A New York strip steak may only need 2 hours while a flank steak or top sirloin steak can sit for 8 hours or overnight.

Anything past 24 hours is excessive and can lead to a mushy steak.

Alternatives and Variations:

Acid: Try balsamic vinegar or red wine.
Worcestershire sauce: Use this as a replacement for soy sauce.
Seasoning: Try adding garlic powder or Italian seasoning.

sliced medium rare steak on a cutting board

Pro-Tips for the Best Steak Marinade:

Use a non-metal airtight container to contain the marinade.
Always marinate your food in the fridge in order to prevent food-borne illnesses.
Not every cut of beef steak requires marinade. A tender cut of beef like filet mignon, for example, does not require marinating.

How to Use Steak Marinade:

Steak Filets: This is perfect for your classic weeknight dinner recipes like One Skillet Steak and Potatoes or this Reverse Sear Steak recipe.
Tacos: Add juicy steak bites to tortillas for steak tacos.
Kebabs: Craving grilled steak? Add marinated steak to some skewer sticks for steak kebabs like these Steak Skewers with Mushrooms and Asparagus.

Storing and Freezing:

Unused steak marinade (marinade that has not migled with raw meat) can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you do not have an immediate need for a steak marinade and want it to last longer, you can pour individual servings into an ice cube tray and freeze the marinade until you are ready to use it (up to 2 months).

sliced steak pushed to one side of a skillet

FAQ:

Can I reuse leftover marinade?

Never reuse leftover marinade straight from the bag because it is not safe to consume. The bacteria from the raw meat can make you sick.

However, you can immediately boil the marinade for 3-4 minutes (it has to reach 165°F). This thickens the sauce and transforms it into a safe-to-eat sauce.

Why is my steak tough?

More than likely, you did not marinate the steak for long enough to break down the connective tissues. Otherwise, it was overcooked or undercooked.

Is it better to season or marinade steak?

That depends on the cut of the steak. Although both methods impart flavor, if you are pressed for time, a dry rub may be better. Marinades take time (at least 30 minutes) in order to be effective.

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5 stars (1 review)