This is just an excellent beef steak marinade that adds juiciness and flavour into steaks, transforming economical steaks from just ok to “wow!”. It injects extra flavour without overpowering the natural flavour of beef, and makes the meat tender.
Terrific for any type of steak – for grilling or pan searing!
Beef Steak Marinade
Steaks are like wine – the more you spend, the better they are. Juicier, more flavour, more tender, no random bits of sinew throughout.
And as much as we’d all like to be able to splurge on premium quality beef every time we have a hankering for steak, the reality is that most of us cannot!
But you can turn every day beef steaks into something that tastes as good as a premium cut (in my humble opinion) by using a great beef steak marinade!
When should you marinate steak?
Use this marinade for economical steaks – it will make the flesh more tender and add flavour. Do not use this for expensive, prime grade beef steaks!
This steak marinade makes steaks juicier and enhances the flavour rather than overpowering the natural flavour of beef!
It’s actually easy to make marinades that infuse flavour into steaks. But it’s harder to make marinades that enhance without adding too much flavour into the steak. You want the steak to taste mainly of (gasp, shock horror!) BEEF. Not overwhelmed by marinade flavour!
What goes in Beef Steak Marinade
Here’s what you need for the Steak Marinade. Use this marinade for any economical steak – do not use for expensive steaks, that would be a waste!!
Here’s why this combination of ingredients makes your steak plump, juicy and adds flavour:
Balsamic vinegar – the tenderising ingredient, because it’s acidic (which breaks down meat fibres);
Soy sauce – the salty liquid to act as the brine so the steak retains moisture. It does not make this steak taste Asiany, we only use a bit!
Dijon Mustard – a touch of flavour and to thicken the marinade slightly so it coats the steak better (thus marinates it more effectively, rather than having to worry about turning the steak regularly);
Flavour – all the other ingredients! Worcestershire is pretty intense in flavour so you only need a bit to add savoury flavour into things.
How to marinate steak
I always marinate my steak in ziplock bags which I acknowledge is not environmentally friendly, but it is the most effective way to marinade steak because it keeps the steak evenly coated with a relatively small amount of marinade.
If you want to use a container instead, use a glass or other non reactive container and I would recommend doubling the marinade.
How long to marinate steak?
12 to 24 hours is best. You can also freeze it immediately – then it will marinate as it thaws!
Pan fry or grill it, and marvel at how JUICY and FLAVOURFUL your steak is!!
The steak marinade injects enough flavour into the steak such that you don’t need to serve this with a sauce. But I couldn’t resist adding a smidge of garlic butter on top!
You could also serve it with a Creamy Mushroom Sauce or Creamy Peppercorn Sauce, or even gravy.
As for sides, it’s pictured with buttered baby potatoes and a classic Rocket/Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan. Here are some more suggestions for great sides!
Sides for Steak Dinner
So….who’s in the mood for a STEAK DINNER now? 🙂 – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Beef Steak Marinade
Ingredients
- 2 steaks , economical (Note 1)
Marinade
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic (1 large garlic clove)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (or sub with garlic powder)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (Note 2)
- 1 tbsp oil (I use olive oil, but any oil is fine)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together mustard, garlic and onion powder. Then mix in remaining ingredients.
- Place beef in a ziplock bag with Marinade and marinade overnight (12 – 24 hours).
- Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature – key for even cooking of steaks. Shake off excess marinade.
- Brush BBQ Grills with oil, then heat on high heat until is really hot – you should see wisps of smoke. Or heat a heavy based skillet on high until very hot, then add oil – it will heat almost instantly.
- Add steaks. For 2cm / 3/4" thick steaks, cook the first side for 2 minutes, then turn and cook the other side for 2 minutes (medium rare 52°C/125°F, chart below for other doneness temps). (Note 3)
- Remove from skillet onto a WARM plate, cover loosely with foil and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Serve! I couldn't resist garlic butter – see recipe in notes.
Recipe Notes:
4. Garlic butter: 100g / 1 stick unsalted softened butter, 1 small garlic clove very finely minced (using crusher is best), 3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley. Mix together, place on baking paper to form a log. Roll up then twist ends tightly repeatedly until it forms a neat log. Refrigerate until firm, cut to serve.
5. Nutrition per serving for a 400g/14oz bone in steak (T-bone, ~300g/10oz exc bone), excluding butter.Nutrition Information:
Originally published June 2016. Updated 2020 with new photos and brand new video! No change to recipe.
My favourite back-pocket marinades
These are the ones I use over and over again, made with pantry staples with lots of sub options!
And more steak recipes
Also try this Mushroom Gravy (this is a seared chicken recipe, just switch the chicken with steak) or the onion gravy in this sausage recipe (just directly switch the sausages with steak).
Life of Dozer
Suffice to say he didn’t stray too far the whole time I was photographing and filming this steak….😂
Yum, husband thoroughly impressed.
Thank you!
Cathy
Absolutely money! Used this with Tri Tip and marinated for 24hrs… #MVP
That’s so great to hear Mandae! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this! N x
If you don’t have 12 to 24 hours to marinate should you not do it? I have about five or six hours that I could marinade. Or I could just save it for another night
Definitely still do it!!!!
Do you think this would work well with pork tenderloin?
What about sirloin steak? Good flavor, less calories – think this marinade will do the trick?
Definitely but to be honest, if it’s an expensive good quality sirloin steak, I personally would not marinade but if it’s an economy one, I would! N x
Well, I did it. Best sirloin I ever grilled! Tender, juicy and not tough. Consider it a success! First visit to this website – I will be back …..Thanks a bunch!
WHOOT!!! So pleased to hear that Kathy!! N xx
How about marinating choice fillet mignon?
Hi Karen! I personally wouldn’t unless it was an economy cut 🙂 N x
Nagi, this is so delicious !! How can I give up beef when you make it taste like this? Another AMAZING recipe which I combine with the Asian Steak sauce. Thank you!
😂 LOVE hearing that Brooke! So glad you enjoyed this 🙂 N xx
I live in a rural area where red meat is very chewy, I’ve used this marinade twice now and it makes so much difference to the steak. Tasty and tender! Thank you for providing a steak marinade recipe that works 🙂
That’s so great to hear Harry! So glad you enjoyed this! N xx
Can I use distilled white vinegar instead of basalmic vinegar?
Yes! Very small difference! 🙂
I think the confusion on the amount of soy sauce was because it says: 1tbsp soy sauce (note 2). That doesn’t mean use 2 but that in note number 2 she explains what kind of soy sauce she uses. The notes are below the ingredients list.
Right on Vickie! N x
Very good, very simple marinade that my family loved. Served with baked potatoes and a giant Greek salad for a great Sunday night dinner. Thanks!
Am I supposed to use 2 tbsp. of soy sauce? Is that what your note means? I am sorry but I don’t find that clear.
Looks delicious. I will definitely be trying it out.
Hi Cara! Nope, just follow the ingredients list! 🙂
I’m trying this tonight. Try the marinade before putting on the steak it taste pretty good so now the steak are marinade I’m sure they turn out great . Thank you for share you recipe
Hope you loved it Kim!
OMG this marinade is to die for – used T bones and the flavour was incredible – we had it with onion rings – retro I know !!! and salad – another great recipe thank you Nagi and love to Dozer
That’s great to hear Kym, thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
Thank you steak came out amazing
That’s so great to hear Kimberly! Thanks for letting me know – N x ❤️
which one do you prefer?beef or porkchop???
Don’t make me choose! 😂
I enjoyed your blog. A real sense of transparency and realism to your writing. Thank you. I hardly ever subscribe but I really like the way you came across.
Thank you.
Thanks for the compliment! I’m very flattered 🙂 N xx
This marinade is fantastic . I put my New York Strip steaks in the marinade 24 hours before we grilled and flavor was wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
That’s fantastic to hear Becky! Thank you for letting me know – N xx
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I’m hoping that’s a five star rating! 😉
Hi Nagi! Loved this one. The herb butter really takes it to the next level and should be compulsory… Did it with supermarket porterhouse and it really transformed it into something fantastic.
WHOOT!! PS I am with you on that butter…. 🙂 N xx
Would this work for thick porkchops?
Ooohhh YES!