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By Taylor Stinson | 9 Comments | Posted: | Updated:
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Learn how to make the best marinades for steak – each only contain 5 simple ingredients. Plus, get tips on making perfectly cooked steak.
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What's in this Post
- Ingredients
- Why You Should Marinate Steak
- How to Cook Steak
- Steak Marinade Tips
- FAQs
- My 8 Best Marinades for Steak
- What to Serve on the Side
- Storing and Freezing Instructions
- Marinade Recipes
Ingredients for steak marinades
There are four important components for making steak marinades:
- Acid – like vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice or wine to tenderize the meat and prepare it for cooking.
- Flavourings – try out different herbs and spices until you find a combination of flavors you love.
- Oil – olive oil or any other kind of cooking oil will help to hold all the ingredients together and add moisture to the meat.
- Salt – in addition to adding flavour, salt acts like a barrier to keep the juices inside the steak which prevents it from trying out.
Why should I marinate steak?
The purpose of a steak marinade is to infuse the meat with flavour. It's much more effective than seasoning during the cooking process, since marinades impart all of their flavour throughout the cut of meat. It's particularly important if the steak will be grilled, since a steak marinade nearly eliminates the carcinogens created by grilling.
In my steak marinade recipes, the citrus and vinegar ingredients serve to tenderize the meat. This makes it not only easier to chew but also easier to digest. It locks in the moisture for a better meal all around.
How to cook steak
- Marinade the steak: Choose your selected marinade, then marinate the steak for at least 20 minutes.
- Cook the steak: Sear the steak on each side in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat or on the grill at 450° F. Cook to your desired level of doneness.
- Let it rest: Remove the steak from the heat and set it aside, then let it rest before serving.
Level of doneness for steak
Check out this article that goes over the hand test for doneness or use the general guidelines below:
- Rare: 1-2 minutes per side, internal temperature of 125° F to 135° F
- Medium-rare: 3-4 minutes per side, internal temperature of 145° F
- Medium: 5-6 minutes per side, internal temperature of 160° F
- Well-done: 7-8 minutes per side, internal temperature of 170° F
Steak marinade tips
Here are some of my top tips for these marinade recipes:
- As a general guideline, use 1/2 cup marinade per 1 pound of steak.
- Marinate your steak for at least 20 minutes and up to 48 hours.
- Olive oil is best in terms of quality and smoking point!
- Use these Ziploc bag holders to marinate your steak.
- Marinate and freeze your steak up to 3 months in advance – if you're freezing the steak, make sure it fully thaws in the fridge before cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your preferred level of doneness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you marinate steak in the fridge?
Any type of meat must always be marinated in the refrigerator. Bacteria grows quickly at room temperature, making the meat unsafe to eat.
How long should you marinate it for?
You can marinate a steak anywhere from 20 minutes to 48 hours. If you're in a hurry, choose more tender cuts of beef like filet mignon and marinate for a shorter time. Sometimes you really want to lock in that flavour though, or are meal prepping ahead, and in that case you can leave your steak marinating up to 2 days. Typically, I'd say that 4-8 hours is a happy medium. Get your steak marinating earlier in the day and then cook it later at night.
How do you make steak tender and juicy?
Some peoplepound their meat to tenderize it. Personally, I find a good steak marinade recipe will serve to tenderize the meat enough and then you don't have to go through any extra work so you can feel free to skip the pounding step.
Can you freeze steak with marinade?
Absolutely! Any of these steak marinades can be made in advance and frozen. Tightly seal a large Ziploc freezer bag to prevent leaking and the marinade will last in the freezer for about 3 months. Defrost the steak in the fridge overnight then cook it as normal.
Can you make the marinades ahead of time?
You can make the steak marinades themselves and keep them in mason jars in the fridge for up to one week. I wouldn't recommend any longer than that, especially for marinades with fresh herbs, as they can lose their flavour. Making the marinades ahead of time is a great way to cut down on prep time if you like to do a little bit of meal prep earlier in the week before cooking.
My 8 Favourite Steak Marinades
Pictured below are the eight of my favourite steak marinades. Don't be afraid to get creative but also keep in mind that you want the flavours of the steak to shine through! These marinades are delicious ideas for pan frying and summer grilling. You'll find the all the recipes below in the recipe card. Each marinade listed will marinate between two to four steaks.
Cilantro Lime Marinade
Calling all cilantro lovers! This is one of my favourite steak marinades that gives you a taste of summer all year long. It’s made with fresh cilantro, lime juice and minced garlic.
Orange Chili Marinade
This steak marinade is the perfect combo of sweet and savoury. You’ll get the sweetness from the orange juice, with a bit of kick from the chili flakes!
Tex Mex Marinade
Take taco night to the next level with this Tex Mex steak marinade! Made with lime juice, chili powder and cumin, it makes for great fajitas or Mexican-inspired dishes.
Mediterranean Marinade
Bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your dinner table with this flavourful marinade. The oregano really shines alongside the flavours of lemon and garlic.
Balsamic Marinade
Balsamic is so good in steak marinades! The balsamic vinegar helps tenderize the steak while also adding delicious flavour.
Teriyaki Marinade
This delicious teriyaki steak marinade uses sesame oil for Asian-inspired flavours, in addition to soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and gingerroot.
Rosemary Red Wine Marinade
This rosemary red wine marinade is perfect for date night. The red wine acts as the acid, while the rosemary adds plenty of flavour.
Garlic Herb Marinade
This garlic herb marinade is a classic and uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand. It’s made with lemon juice, Italian seasoning and garlic.
What to serve on the side
Here are some great side dish ideas to go with these steak marinade recipes:
- Grilled potatoes in foil
- Steamed veggies
- Bacon brussels sprouts
- Sweet potato fries
- Caprese salad
Storing steak marinades
If you are planning to recycle your steak marinades, I'd recommend boiling the marinade for about 10 minutes after you use it (assuming the marinade touched raw steak) then cool it completely in refrigerator before the next use. You'll likely lose some flavour, but it should still be delicious.
If you mixed the marinade in a bowl and reserved half of it (not ever touching the steak), then you can use it for other purposes such as a salad dressing or sauce for other dishes. I've even used leftover marinade in stir fries before!
Can you freeze marinated steak?
You can definitely freeze marinated steak! Freeze the steak in the marinade for up to 3 months in freezer-safe Ziploc bags. When you’re ready to enjoy, let the steak defrost in the fridge overnight then cook as normal.
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See more related recipes
Meal Prep Tools
- Grab someglass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning these steaks into your weekly lunches.
- I get all my grass-fed beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your steak is cooked through.
- Usethese Ziploc bag holdersif you're marinating the steak then freezing it.
- **Get my full list of tools here**
8 Best Steak Marinades {Recipes + Meal Prep Tips}
Learn how to make the best marinades for steak – each only contain 5 simple ingredients. Plus, get tips on making perfectly cooked steak.
4.74 from 30 votes
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Servings: 4 servings (2 steaks total)
Calories: 225kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Ingredients
Rosemary Red Wine Marinade
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
Teriyaki Marinade
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh gingerroot
Tex Mex Marinade
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
Mediterranean Marinade
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
Balsamic Marinade
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
Cilantro Lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
Orange Chili
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
Garlic Herb
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp white wine or lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
For steak
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 8oz steaks (top sirloin, rib-eye, flank, tri-tip, or New York strip steak all work)
Instructions
Mix together steak marinade of choice in a small bowl and pour over steak in a Ziploc bag. Marinate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
ON STOVETOP: Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over med-high heat until oil starts to smoke. Add steak and sear for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare (this is if your steak is 1-inch thick). The steak should have an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
ON BBQ:Preheat BBQ grill to 450 F. Add steak and sear for another 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare (this is if your steak is 1-inch thick). The steak should have an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing or chopping. Serve immediately with a side dish. Enjoy!
To freeze steak: Mix marinade ingredients as instructed above and add to freezer-safe Ziploc bag along with steak. Freeze up to 3 months. Let defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before pan frying or grilling.
Video
Notes
All you need to make a steak marinade is an acid, flavouring, cooking oil and salt.
Marinate tougher cooks of meat like sirloin, chuck and round cuts for longer (6-24 hours) and tender cuts for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Make sure to marinade the steak in the fridge to protect bacteria growth.
Freeze marinated raw steaks for up to 3 months then defrost and cook.
Nutrition
Calories: 225kcal (11%)Protein: 22g (44%)Fat: 23g (35%)Saturated Fat: 8g (50%)Cholesterol: 69mg (23%)Sodium: 59mg (3%)Potassium: 313mg (9%)Vitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 8mg (1%)Iron: 1.9mg (11%)
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Created by Taylor Stinson
Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!
Reader Interactions
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M Kathleen Crawford says
I can’t wait to try these recipes
Reply
Pamela Lain says
I tried the garlic herb marinade and it is wonderful. I had a steak and cut it in half. Put both halves in the same ziplock bag with the marinade. I cooked one half last night with only marinating for a couple hours, and made the other half tonight after marinating 24 hrs. The half last night was good, but the half tonight was amazing and so much more tender. It was awesome!! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!Reply
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!
Reply
Carla Valencia Butler says
I have a question. Can these marinades be made in large amounts and stored in the refrigerator?
Reply
Taylor Stinson says
Yes they can! I would use them up within 5 days though.
Reply
Tracy says
I love having these on hand because the ingredients and the methodology are so similar, it becomes second nature. I have used probably five of these now, some repeatedly. A few of them are excellent for chicken and fish as well! It’s also easy to tweak a particular herb based on what you’re cooking anyhow, to stick with a theme. Thank you for these recipes!Reply
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed them! Thank you Tracy 🙂
Reply
Judy V says
Hi, Taylor,
I know I will use your 8 steak marinades again again and again. Thank you so much for sharing!
Judy VReply
Taylor Stinson says
So happy you enjoyed Judy 🙂
Reply
