Best Steak Marinade recipe EVER! This quick and easy marinade makes steak juicy, tender and so flavorful! Perfect for special occasions yet simple enough for a weeknight! You’re going to love it!
Grilling? Make sure to check out my Steak Seasoning and Chicken Marinade!
Summer is here and steak is on the menu! Grilling is where it’s at and that means lots of steak nights! I’m using the best steak marinade no matter what cut of meat I’ve got on hand.
A good marinade serves to enhance to the flavor of the steak, not overpower it. After years of tweaking and testing I’ve positive that I’ve got the best steak marinade recipe and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we do.
Best Steak Marinade
This steak marinade calls for simple pantry ingredients that, when combined, create the perfect partner for steak.
Whether you’re making a sirloin or a ribeye, this simple recipe will turn any cut of meat into a work of art. Tender, juicy, flavorful steaks that will wow your friends and family.
What To Serve With Steak
The second best part of the meal – side dishes! I’m a sucker for a good side dish and there are just so many tasty options when it comes to steak. Here are a few of our favorites:
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
This easy marinade is a cinch to pull together and you probably have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your pantry.
Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need here and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- extra virgin olive oil – this is the base of our marinade.
- balsamic vinegar – one of my favorite marinade ingredients, balsamic vinegar adds incredible depth to this marinade and goes so well with steak. Gives your steak a restaurant quality.
- soy sauce – I opt for low sodium otherwise I find the steak is too salty.
- Worcestershire sauce – adds savory, complex flavor.
- pineapple juice – this will help tenderize even the leanest cuts of steak.
- brown sugar – subtle sweetness and molasses flavor that isn’t overwhelming. Honey is a good alternative.
- Dijon mustard – rounds out the flavors and pulls the marinade together.
- ground black pepper – for seasoning.
- garlic powder – fresh garlic will burn easily on a grill so I like to use garlic powder instead. Not enough to overpower the flavor of the steak, just enough to enhance it.
How To Make It
Making this marinade is SO simple! It’s simply a matter of whisking together the marinade ingredients and adding the steak. Let’s take a quick look:
- Combine ingredients. I like to whisk the marinade together in a large glass measuring cup or mixing bowl.
- Add steaks. Place steaks in a large, ziploc bag and pour marinade over the top. Close securely.
- Marinate. I recommend a minimum of 1 hour although 30 minutes is sufficient for less lean cuts of steak. Marinate for up to 8 hours.
How Long Should I Let My Steak Marinate
I recommend a minimum of 30 minutes for the best flavor and most tender steak. The steak can marinate for as long as 8 hours (or overnight if necessary).
How Should I Cook My Steak?
I prefer to either grill steak or cook it in a skillet. If you have a grill pan, that’s great! Let’s take a look at both of these options:
For Grilling
- Prep grill. Preheat the grill to medium high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Prep steak. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry to remove excess marinade and to prevent flare-ups on the grill.
- Grill. Grill steak to desired doneness, see chart below for temperatures and USDA recommendations.
- Rest steaks. Remove steaks from grill and tent with foil. Let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Skillet Method
- Heat skillet. Heat your skillet over medium high to high heat.
- Add steak. Add marinated steaks.
- Brown. Cook on each side for 3 to 4 minutes until browned.
- Reduce heat. Now reduce the heat to medium medium-high.
- Finish cooking. Continue cooking steak until desired doneness is reached. (Refer to the chart below if needed.) Use an instant meat thermometer for best results.
When Is My Steak Done?
It really depends on how you like your steak! Steak doneness can be anywhere from rare to well done while the USDA recommends cooking steak to 145°F for safety.
- Medium Rare: 130°F – 135°F
- Medium: 135°F – 145°F
- Medium Well: 145°F – 150°F
- Well Done: 150°F – 160°F
Garlic Herb Butter
Steaks made with this marinade are fancy enough on their own for a special occasion yet simple enough to make on a Tuesday night. If you’re feeling really energetic, consider making a simple garlic herb butter to top off the steaks.
It’s AMAZING when paired with this quick marinade and is also great on baked potatoes if that happens to be one of your sides. You can find the ingredients and instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.
What Type of Steaks Should I Use?
When I was testing this recipe, I wanted to make sure this marinade would work on all types of steak. I wanted a super versatile, easy marinade that would work every time.
Not even kidding you guys. I’ve tried this marinade on:
- ribeye
- filet mignon
- strip
- sirloin
- flank
I went from one to the other to the next trying to determine which was my favorite… Impossible. They were all SO good.
The meat was so tender, so juicy, and had unbelievable flavor. I have tried so many steak marinade recipes in the past that have left me less than satisfied. I’ve been working on an amazing and versatile steak marinade for the longest time and I finally have it.
Trish’s Tips
- Use the best quality ingredients you can afford. It does make a difference.
- Allow your steaks to marinate for 60 minutes if you have the time, that will give you the best results.
- Steaks need to rest after cooking, at least 5 minutes.
More Steak Recipes
- Steak Seasoning
- Chicken Fried Steak
- Balsamic Honey Grilled Steak Salad
- The BEST Steak Kabobs
- Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteaks
How To Make Steak Marinade
The BEST Steak Marinade
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 to 4 pounds steak ribeye, strip, sirloin, filet mignon, etc.
Garlic Herb Butter (Optional)
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon rosemary finely chopped
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large Pyrex measuring cup or mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Place steak in a large, ziploc bag and pour marinade over the top. Close securely.
- Marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. (A bare minimum of an hour.)
To grill
- Preheat grill to medium high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry to remove excess marinade and to prevent flare-ups on the grill.
- Grill steak to desired doneness.
- Remove steaks from grill and tent with foil. Let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
For the Garlic Herb Butter
- Cream softened butter with a spoon or mixer just until smooth. Stir in garlic and chopped herbs until combined.
- Spoon butter mixture onto a square or parchment paper, plastic wrap or wax paper and shape into a log (about 6 inches long). Pull the paper or plastic wrap tightly around it and roll up, twisting the ends tightly.
- Chill in the refrigerator until the butter is solid again, about 2 to 3 hours. Slice and serve on bread, steak, potatoes, shrimp whatever you want!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published June 1, 2017.
Megan Black says
A fresh green salad!
Brenda Haines says
I love grilled corn and a potato salad with my grilled steak. Or a good light side is a new one I found. Cucumber avocado salad.. slice both into bite size pieces, put into a bowl and season with a little salt and pepper, add crumbled feta and a squeeze of lemon. So simple and so good!
Steph says
I serve chimichurri with my steaks
kimberly says
I love to serve asparagus with lemon and breadcrumbs.
Sharon says
I like to serve garlic roasted potatoes with steak.
manda says
Any potato dish
Shelley says
I love potato salad and green beans as the side dishes.
Bryn says
We always have grilled sweet potatoes with steak. Love them!
Denise L says
Rosemary roasted potatoes are my favorite steak-worthy side dish!
Tim says
You can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes, but I guess it also depends on how I am cooking the steak.
Beth W. says
Grilled baby red potatoes in the summer!
Colleen Inman says
Gotta have a baked potato with steak.
Jennie Miller says
I love having a baked potato and green beans with my steak
Anna Pry says
I like a baked potato, sweet potato fries, or mac & cheese as my side dishes 🙂 thanks for the chance to win
Daniela C says
Potato salad and mixed bean salad, or creamed spinach and smashed potatoes in winter.