Description
Savor culinary magic with this Best Steak Marinade, blending zesty garlic, tangy soy sauce, and robust herbs. Steak enthusiasts will discover a foolproof method for delivering mouthwatering, tender meat that elevates backyard grilling to gourmet heights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) onion powder
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Liquids and Sauces:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or lime juice)
Sweeteners and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Instructions
- Combine all liquid ingredients in a non-reactive mixing container, creating a smooth, uniform marinade base.
- Crush and mince fresh garlic cloves, ensuring they are finely chopped to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
- Incorporate brown sugar, stirring thoroughly to dissolve and help balance the savory and tangy flavor profile.
- Add dry seasonings, whisking vigorously to eliminate any potential clumping and ensure comprehensive blending.
- Use a fork or small whisk to emulsify the marinade, promoting consistent texture and distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the prepared marinade to a resealable plastic bag or shallow glass dish, ready for protein integration.
- Gently massage the marinade into the meat, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor absorption.
- Refrigerate the marinating protein, allowing the complex blend of ingredients to tenderize and enhance the natural taste.
- Let the meat rest in the marinade for optimal flavor penetration, turning occasionally to promote even coating.
- Remove the protein from the marinade just before cooking, allowing excess liquid to drip off for ideal searing potential.
Notes
- Marinate steaks for a minimum of 30 minutes to maximize flavor penetration, but avoid exceeding 8 hours to prevent protein breakdown.
- Experiment with different vinegars like apple cider or balsamic to create unique flavor profiles that complement the meat’s natural richness.
- Pat steaks completely dry before grilling to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that seals in juicy tenderness.
- For a gluten-free version, replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, maintaining the marinade’s depth and umami characteristics.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-8 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg