Best Ever Steak Marinade Recipe
Overview:
This steak marinade recipe has been perfected over 25 years, delivering incredible flavor and tenderizing your steaks beautifully. Whether you’re grilling, broiling, or even baking, this marinade ensures your steaks come out juicy and packed with flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup red wine (choose your favorite)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (such as thyme or oregano)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
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Combine Ingredients: In a non-metallic bowl, mix together the olive oil, soy sauce, red wine, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, minced garlic, dried herbs, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
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Marinate the Steak: Place your steaks in the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Spoon some marinade over the top of the steaks. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or use a sealable plastic bag for marinating.
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Chill and Marinate: Refrigerate the steaks in the marinade for several hours, ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and tenderize it. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes will enhance the flavor.
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Prepare for Cooking: When you’re ready to cook, remove the steaks from the marinade. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade, which can cause flare-ups on the grill.
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Cooking Options: You can cook the steaks according to your preference—grill them for that classic charred flavor, broil them for a quick and convenient option, or even pan-fry them for a delicious sear.
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Serve: Once cooked to your desired doneness, let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring each bite is flavorful and tender.
Tips:
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Enhance Tenderization: If tenderness is a concern, consider adding a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to the marinade. The acidity helps to break down the muscle fibers in the meat, resulting in a more tender steak.
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Flavor Variations: Feel free to customize the herbs and spices in the marinade to suit your taste preferences. For a spicy kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
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Marinating Time: While overnight marination yields the best results, you can still achieve great flavor with shorter marinating times. Just ensure the steaks are well coated and allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
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Cooking Methods: Adjust cooking times based on the thickness of your steaks and your preferred level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy—medium-rare steaks typically reach an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C).
This marinade is sure to become a staple in your kitchen, perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend BBQs. Enjoy the rich flavors and tender texture it brings to your favorite cuts of steak! 🥩
