Grill Master’s Secret: The World’s Best Steak Marinade Revealed
Are you a steak lover looking for a fail-proof marinade? Look no further. This Worlds Best Steak marinade recipe takes only a few minutes to whip up, but it packs a powerful flavor punch. With just a few easily accessible ingredients, you can create an easy steak marinade that is guaranteed to make your steaks tender, juicy, and unbelievably delicious. Best of all, this marinade can be used over and over again, so you can have restaurant-quality steaks at home any time you want. In this article, you’ll learn the secrets behind making the world’s best steak marinade, as well as valuable tips for getting the most out of this recipe.
This steak marinade only requires a handful of ingredients, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, honey, and more. These ingredients marry nicely and the longer you let your steak marinate, the more flavor will work in, and offer an even juicier and flavorful steak.
You can use this on all cuts of red meats; prime rib, t-bone, filet mignon, sirloin, flank steak, flat iron, skirt steaks, etc. You name it, this marinade works. It makes the meat so flavorful and tender and melts in your mouth. I also have a delicious pork marinade that will knock your socks off.
The Only Steak Marinade You Will Ever Need
This steak marinade is genuinely the only steak marinade you will ever need. I have tested a ton of marinade recipes over the years, and we always come back to this recipe. We have been using this recipe for years, and it never disappoints us. A mix of savory and a hint of sweetness helps give your steaks that perfect crust when you grill them up.
When serving up delicious marinaded steaks, I like to keep my sides simple but sometimes love a good surf and turf. For those nights I pair my steak with this incredible Shrimp Scampi. It is the perfect pairing and will impress everyone.
How Long To Marinate Steak
You can marinate as little as 30 minutes, but I like to do at least 3-6 hours for the maximum flavor. But let’s be honest I don’t always have things planned ahead, so a quick marinade is what I have to do. Regardless this steak marinade is one delicious pairing for your steaks.
How Do You Soak Your Marinading Steak
You can place your steak in a bag with the marinade. Then every little bit you can go and grab the bag and massage the meat to really help infuse the marinade into the steak more to give your steak the best chance of those rich flavors soaking in. Or if you want you can use an airtight container.
If I have a lot of time to marinate my steak, I will massage my steak about once an hour when I am marinating it.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
- 3 TBSP minced garlic
- 2 TBSP honey
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 2 TSP ground black pepper
- 1 TSP Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 TSP Onion Powder
Instructions
- Mix all of your ingredients together. Set aside some marinade to use for dipping after the meat is cooked.
- Place meat into the marinade and give it as much time as possible to marinade.
Tips For Grilling Steak
While this marinade is full of vibrant and savory flavors, you must also remember grilling your steak correctly is equally important. The reason being is if you overcook your steak it will end up dry and chewy.
- Preheat Grill | Always preheat your grill, this will help get the grates hot and when you put the steak on the grill it will offer that sear sound which means success.
- Steak Tip | I always sit my steaks out for at least 15-20 minutes before I plan to place them on the grill. I watched this tip on the Food Network channel years ago, and have done it ever since. This always sets you up for the success of a juicy steak that is cooked nicely.
- Don’t Cut Steak | When checking the done-ness of your steak don’t slice into the steak to see how red or done it is. Use a meat thermometer and check it that way. If you cut the steak it will leak the juice and dry out.
- Rest the Steak | Once your steak is done, lay it on a plate and put aluminum foil over the top. Let it sit for five minutes to allow it to soak in all those juices for a juicy and flavorful steak.
Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels
How To Know How Done Your Steak Is With Meat Thermometer
Let me share some temperatures to keep in mind and know when your steak is done.
- Rare Steak – 130 degrees
- Medium Rare Steak – 135 degrees
- Medium Steak – 140-143 degrees
- Medium Well Steak – 150 degrees
- Well Done – 160 degree
Double and triple the recipe when necessary depending on the amount of meat.
Tips & Tricks for Making the World’s Best Steak Marinade
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Balance the Flavors: Taste your marinade before adding it to the steak. Adjust the ingredients as needed to achieve a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. You can add more honey for sweetness, soy sauce for saltiness, or balsamic vinegar for acidity.
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Pierce the Steak: Before marinating, use a fork to pierce the steak on both sides. This allows the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat, resulting in more flavor throughout.
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Marinate Overnight: For the best results, marinate your steak for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld together and tenderize the meat.
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Use a Ziplock Bag: Place the steak and marinade in a large Ziplock bag rather than a bowl. This ensures that the steak is evenly coated with the marinade and takes up less space in the fridge.
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Massage the Marinade: Once the steak is in the bag with the marinade, massage it gently to ensure the marinade coats the steak thoroughly. This helps the flavors penetrate the meat more effectively.
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Bring to Room Temperature: Before grilling, take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows for more even cooking.
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Pat Dry Before Grilling: Before grilling the steak, pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade. This prevents flare-ups on the grill and ensures a nice sear on the steak.
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Don’t Overcook: Depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness, grill the steak for the appropriate amount of time. Overcooking can make the steak tough and dry, so keep an eye on it as it cooks.
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Rest Before Slicing: After grilling, let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier steak.
By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make a flavorful and tender steak using your delicious marinade. Enjoy!
FAQ’s For Making the World’s Best Steak Marinade
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Can I use a different type of vinegar instead of balsamic vinegar?
- While balsamic vinegar provides a rich and slightly sweet flavor, you can substitute it with red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar if preferred. However, keep in mind that this substitution may alter the taste of the marinade slightly.
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Can I use minced garlic from a jar instead of fresh garlic?
- Yes, you can use minced garlic from a jar instead of fresh garlic. However, fresh garlic typically offers a more robust flavor. If using jarred minced garlic, adjust the quantity to taste as it may have a milder flavor compared to fresh garlic.
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What if I don’t have honey? Can I use another sweetener?
- If you don’t have honey, you can substitute it with maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave nectar. Adjust the quantity to taste, as different sweeteners may vary in sweetness.
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Can I use a different type of oil instead of olive oil?
- Yes, you can use another type of oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil if you prefer. Each oil may impart a slightly different flavor to the marinade, so choose one that complements the other ingredients well.
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Do I need to use Worcestershire sauce in the marinade?
- Worcestershire sauce adds depth of flavor and a subtle tanginess to the marinade, but if you don’t have it or prefer not to use it, you can omit it. The marinade will still be delicious without it.
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Can I adjust the amount of black pepper and onion powder in the marinade?
- Yes, feel free to adjust the amount of black pepper and onion powder according to your taste preferences. Start with the specified quantities and adjust as needed to suit your palate.
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How long can I store the marinade?
- You can store the marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Be sure to give it a good shake before using it to recombine the ingredients.
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Can I use this marinade for other types of meat?
- Yes, this marinade works well with other types of meat such as chicken, pork, or even tofu. Adjust the marinating time accordingly based on the type and thickness of the meat.
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Can I freeze the marinated steak for later use?
- Yes, you can freeze the marinated steak for later use. Place the steak and marinade in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw the steak in the refrigerator before grilling.
Here are some great sides to pair with your steak:
Instant Pot Packaged Saffron Yellow Rice
Worlds Best Steak Marinade
You can whip up this world's best steak marinade in minutes, and let me tell you first hand it is the best steak marinade we have ever used.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
- 3 TBSP minced garlic
- 2 TBSP honey
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 2 TSP ground black pepper
- 1 TSP Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 TSP Onion Powder
Instructions
- Mix all of your ingredients together. Set aside some marinade to use for dipping after the meat is cooked.
- Place meat into the marinade and give it as much time as possible to marinade.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 599mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
SO easy to make this! WOW! Thanks!
We love steak and just by reading the ingredients it sounds fantastic! I can’t wait to try it!
Going to try it out tonight, i’ll Let you know how it turned out.
after you marinade meat is it safe to return meat to marinade after meat is cooked??
It is exactly what I do, I actually had that included as part of the recipe but some folks criticized my suggestion of returning the meat back to the marinade after being cooked. I have always done that and will continue to do it because it is absolutely delicious. But I figured I would leave it up to everyone’s own judgement call. But I definitely do. 🙂
To make the leftover marinade a bit safer I decided to reduce it on the stove to use as a sauce, and it turned out delicious!
That sounds delicious! Awesome idea!
Can this be frozen for later us
i have not tried to freeze it yet but I think it should be fine frozen. If you happen to give it a try, let us know. 🙂
FYI, Sparkles, the word “marinate”, with a “t”, is a verb, “marinade”, with a “d”, is a noun. You “marinate” your steak in a “marinade”. Don’t mean to be critical, just thought you would want to know.
I use this recipe all the time, and I love it! I do agree it may be the world’s best steak marinade!
@PATRICIA NIESSNER, No, it’s not safe. Disregard melissakuczera entirely. It boggles my mind that someone would ever think that doing that is OK from a food safety perspective. If you want use the marinade as a final sauce, just make a bit more.
-Josh C, Cornell University, Food Industry Management ’97
You have to keep it set aside before it’s used Josh. Settle down there because that’s my advice.
Re-using a marinade is dangerous. Best to withhold a bit for basting. Unless you heat the used marinade on the stove. Beef poses less threat than say pork or poultry but still not a good idea to get into the habit of doing.
Nice marinade. I used it on some lamb I grilled. Will try it on some steaks next.
@Dr.Gregory, I would’ve thought the vinegar and salty soy sauce would effectively kill any bacteria in the leftover marinade. No?
Does this need to be refrigerated?
Yes it does
Hi Melissa
I will definitely try the marinade. I was wondering, what is the optimal amount of time to marinate the beef – a few hours, overnight in the fridge or other.
Thanks
Bob
The longer you can give it, the better. But I usually only give it about a 1/2 hour since with 4 boys I am often last minute.. and it is amazing!!
What do you recommend as the best way to cook the steak with the marinade….grill, oven, or stove top.
Any of the above. I have cooked my meat all of those ways with this marinade and its always delicious. That really is up to your own preference. 🙂
Made this today, my husband and I loved it. So far best marinade to date. Thanks for sharing.
I mixed your marinade in when i formed my ground chuck into patties, let them sit for 20 minutes, then grilled them @ 500-550 degrees till medium. Wow.
I made 1/2 the recipe . I marinated a Top Round steak I got on sale . I only marinated it for an hour and it tasted great !!!! I sliced it thin and it was juicy and tender Yummy . Thank You I have saved this recipe on Pinterest . It’s a keeper !!!
My husband told me to never use another marinade but this again!
We had this tonight, the balsamic vinegar gave it an interesting flavor…not sure it was my favorite but it was good. I’d suggest blotting the steaks before searing, I forgot and ended up with very charred rather than a nice crust using my cast iron skillet.
This marinade is amazing!!!! I have made it several times and everyone loves it! So easy to make. The longer it sits the better it gets!!!
I am so happy you love it! This is our favorite!! We can not get enough of it.
I don’t have balsamic vinegar on hand. Any substition recommendations?
any other vinegar should do fine. 🙂
Excellent! My new favorite!
This truly is the best marinade. It easy and forgiving. I didn’t have worcestershire sauce at home but I tried it anyway and it was still amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
I’ve had this recipe saved forever and finally tried it tonight! We actually felt like we were eating in a fine dining steakhouse! It was amazing!!! My boys (ages 7 and 10) gobbled up their NY strip steaks in seconds and begged for more and my husband just kept making little moans of happiness as he devoured his whole steak. I brought the leftover marinade to a boil and simmerred for a bit to use as au jus and it was amazing! Will definitely use this again and again. Can’t believe I waited so long! Love it!
I am so happy you love it. This is the same reactions in my house, it is our absolute favorite. 🙂
Could you please tell me approximately how much meat this amount of marinade was written for? 1#, 2# ?? – I’m using stew meat. TIA
This recipe is enough for one large london broil. We are a family of 6, if I am cooking a couple of london broils, I will double the recipe. Which would be enough for two separate baking pans.
This is the best steak marinade ever! My hubby and I both love it.
Can I prep this and keep a container in the refrigerator? If so, how long would it be good?
In the fridge the marinade should be fine for at least a week
I am looking for this recipe to cook in a instapot since the instapot cooks much faster what would you recommend for time.
Thank you
I was concerned about the Father’s Day steaks lacking flavor. I came across this recipe for “Worlds Best Steak Marinade” and thought, I’ll try it! I have all the ingredients and nothing to lose. I also have very little time to make it happen.
I am SO glad to report the marinade was/is DELICIOUS!
My steaks had about 3 hours to marinade and I used the Ninja Foodi Grill for 9 minutes (about inch and a half thick) and they were juicy, flavorful and made me look like a Top Chef!!
Thank you so much for sharing!!
e harris
Lots of things say they are “World’s Best” but this actually is. Amazing!
Can you use a balsamic dressing instead of vinegar?
Yes, i suspect that would be delicious.
This marinade was great. I used it tonight. The whole family loved it.
I only put about 3/4 of the marinade in with the meat and saved the rest to blast the meat as I cooked it.
Haven’t tried it yet but it sounds good.
Going to use this recipe tomorrow, sounds delicious. How many minutes on each side do you cook the steak?
Depends how you like your steak. I’m using a air fryer I cook mine for about 10 minutes.
@Felix,
made it yesterday, delicious and easy