Grilling a nice steak takes a lot of skill and expertise. Though it can be overwhelming to think about all the different ways to marinate one, you can rest easy with this recipe to make the best steak marinade!
What You'll Need
- 1/3 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup of soy sauce
- 2 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons of mustard
- 2 teaspoons of parsley
- 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons of pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice (optional)
Steps
- Go ahead and stick the ingredients in a blender until everything is well-blended. This should take about 30-40 seconds. (If you don't have a blender, you can stir it manually until everything is thick and fully mixed.)
- Marinate the steaks. This is done most effectively by placing the steaks in a resealable bag (freezer bags work great.) Then, pour in your marinade and try to submerge and coat the meat as much as possible. After giving it a good shake, remove as much air from the bag as possible, then seal the bag.
- Stick the steaks in the refrigerator for about a day. Be sure to turn them over in the fridge so the marinade coats the steak.
You can freeze your marinated steak, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll taste better. Rather, it's just reassurance that you don't need to worry if you want dinner at a later time or forgot about it. Frozen steak can be left for about five days safely, but try to get to them before then because you run the risk of your meat going mushy. You also don't want to leave them in the fridge for too long because it doesn't take very long for a steak to soak in the marinade. If you leave it in the fridge for too long then the marinade could become overpowering.
There are a few different variations, which you can indulge in depending on your tastes. Some steak marinade recipes call for the inclusion of balsamic vinegar, others say you can add basil, and some of the variations of ingredients will differ depending on where you go. It all boils down to which spices and herbs you like best! Once you're ready to eat that steak, fry it up medium-rare and enjoy the most flavorful cut of meat.
How Does Marinade Affect A Steak?
When cooking beef, the idea is to tenderize the meat and break down its fibers without drying it out, as moisture is removed when exposed to heat. Certain cooking methods, such as braising or stewing, can achieve this simply through submerging the meat in liquid and cooking on a low temperature for an extended period of time. Of course, the appeal of a steak is the quickness of frying it and having it on your plate ready to eat within minutes. This is where the marinade comes in, providing help in breaking down the fibers while preventing as much moisture from escaping when cooking. The result is a moist, flavorful cut of steak.
Effective Ingredients In A Steak Marinade
While you can tweak various ingredients to cater to your personal tastes and preferences, these types of ingredients are always needed for the best steak marinade:
- Salt
- Acidity (either lemon juice or vinegar)
- Peppercorns
- Garlic
- Olive oil