Description
This Ultimate Steak Marinade recipe delivers a perfectly balanced blend of savory, tangy, and herbaceous flavors that tenderize and enhance the natural taste of your steak. Infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of sweetness, this marinade is simple yet guaranteed to impress whether you grill or pan-sear your steak to juicy perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 to 1.5 pounds steak (your choice of cut)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until smooth and well combined.
- Add seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, brown sugar or honey, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes if using, chopped fresh rosemary, and thyme leaves to the marinade mixture.
- Marinate the steak: Place your steak in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, ensuring the steak is completely coated for maximum flavor.
- Refrigerate: Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours; for best results, allow it to marinate overnight to tenderize the meat and infuse deep flavor.
- Bring to room temperature: Before cooking, remove the steak from the marinade and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes to promote even cooking.
- Cook the steak: Grill or pan-sear the steak over medium-high heat for approximately 4-6 minutes per side to achieve medium-rare doneness. Adjust the time depending on the steak’s thickness and your preferred level of doneness.
- Rest the steak: Remove the steak from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a tender and juicy bite.
Notes
- For a sweeter marinade, substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup.
- Make sure not to marinate the steak for more than 24 hours, as the acidity can break down the meat too much.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact.
- Allowing the steak to rest after cooking is crucial for juicy results.
- If grilling, preheat the grill to medium-high heat before adding the steak.
- Adjust seasoning levels in the marinade according to your taste preferences.
