This easy steak marinade takes only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep! The most delicious flavor that creates a tender and juicy steak.
Best Quick Steak Marinade Recipe
I’ve been using my trusty chicken marinade for years and decided it was time to post this easy steak marinade. It’s one of my favorite grilling recipes for maximum taste and tenderness and is such a simple marinade to make!
We love to use it not only when grilling this sirloin steak recipe or steak kabobs but also when cooking steak in the oven, making steak and potatoes on the stove or skillet steak bites.
Steak Marinade Ingredients
This is the best steak marinade that only takes 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep work. The flavor is absolutely wonderful and creates a juicy and flavorful steak.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Olive oil: Softens and gives the steak great moisture keeping it tender and juicy when cooked on the grill.
- Worcestershire sauce: This is a blend of savory, sweet, and a bit tart! It has a great flavor that the steak really soaks in.
- Balsamic vinegar: An acidic vinegar is used to tenderize the meat! It is the perfect balance with the Worcestershire sauce as well as adds flavor.
- Soy sauce: I use low-sodium soy sauce to cut back on the salt intake.
- Minced garlic: Always a delicious add-in that goes well with these pantry staples.
How to Marinate Steak
Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Place the steak in a large freezer bag or bowl, then pour the marinade on top and seal the bag/bowl. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but around 4 hours is ideal. The longer the steaks marinate, the more flavor they will have!
How Long to Marinate Steak
Marinating steak for 1 to 2 hours is a great start. You can marinate overnight at the longest but don’t go over 24 hours. Marinating steak helps break down and tenderize the meat prior to cooking.
Best Cuts of Steak to Marinate
Most types of beef can be marinated before cooking or grilling. We love to grill flank steak, filet mignon, skirt steak, sirloin, or ribeye. These all give a great flavor as well as tender meat.
Grilling a Perfect Steak
Grilling steaks is a simple process that creates a crisp layer on the outside with a tender and juicy inside. Cook your steak to perfection following these simple step-by-step instructions.
- Prepare grill. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, clean with a wire brush and then oil the grates.
- Cook the steak. Place the steak on the grill and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side. If you prefer your steak medium to well done, you will likely need to cook it a few more minutes.
- Insert meat thermometer. Beef’s tender, juicy texture is optimum when cooked to medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness. To determine doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer horizontally into the side of the steaks. Place the thermometer in the thickest part. The thermometer should not touch bone, fat, or the grill.
- Let rest. Once it’s reached the desired temperature, remove it from the grill and tent with foil for 5 minutes. I like to add some garlic herb butter while it rests for additional flavor.
You may like these other favorite marinades, too! This best carne asada marinade, flank steak marinade or steak fajita marinade!
More Steak Recipes
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Easy Steak Marinade Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt , to taste
- Ground black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Combine marinade. In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, and 1 Tablespoon garlic until combined.
- Marinate steak. In a bowl or a zip-top bag, place 1 1/2 pound steak and pour the marinade over the top. Seal bowl or bag and place the steak in the refrigerator. Marinate at least 30 minutes, but giving it 4 hours or more will only improve the flavor.
Grill a steak
- Preheat grill to medium high heat. Clean the grill grates with a wire brush and lightly oil the grates. Place the steak onto the grill and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until browned. Turn the steaks over and grill another 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare (135° F): 5 to 7 minutes for medium (140° F); or 8 to 10 minutes for medium-well done (160° F).
- Rest steak. Remove steak from the grill and tent with foil. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Slice meat against the grain. Top with a slice of butter and chopped parsley, if desired. Salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Beef, Dinner, Grilling, Grilling, Reader Favorites
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I tried this recipe about a year ago and since then this is the only steak marinade we use. It has a perfect flavor with all the things we love but it doesn’t overpower the flavor of steaks. Love this thank you for this recipe!
So happy to hear that you love the steak marinade!
I guess this is the best and succeed ever in my life making marinade steak!
Marinade is also delicious flavor and my husband and I love the taste and turned out excellent! Thanks for great recipe! I will make again shortly as I got steak meat at Costco, lol👍
I love this! I’m so glad you enjoyed the steak marinade Faith-Aloha!
wow – this works!
Just tried this simple recipe and was surprised how good it is! The juices from the meat mixed with the marinade is delicious. Will be using this recipe again.
Delicious! This has just become my go to on steak night!
Easy and made the steak so tender! Threw some Montreal steak seasoning in the marinade as well.
Sounds great! I am glad that you love it!
This was amazing!
Full disclosure, I didn’t have the mustard so I left it out. Also, in place of tchopped onion, I added a few shakes of Tastefully Simple’s Onion Onion. Marinated a flank steak for a few hours and grilled to medium/medium-well. It was outstanding! Definitely making this again. Thank you for sharing!
Yay! Happy to hear you loved the recipe. Thanks for your comment and review, Judy!
Hi, I’m an older guy trying to cook, I’m generally terrible at cooking. I tried your marinade on a ribeye steak recently and it was delicious even though I tried my best to burn it.
Thank you very much. You have a nice smile. Four kids are a handful, I was one of eight, I’ll never forget those fun filled days with all my brothers and sisters, so long ago.
Best Wishes to you and your family.
don
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe :)
Trying to figure out what cut of meat you used in the pictures of this recipe. Can you share some information? Thank you!
Made as directed and added about a tablespoon of dried lemon peel. Worked out great!
Dried lemon peel sounds like a great addition! I’ll have to try it sometime :)
I’m getting my electric grill ready. I just hope I didn’t marinade to long, I left them over night in fridge soaking in ziplock. So trying now! I’ll let you know how they turn out!! Crossing my fingers
The longer you marinate them, the more flavor they will have! :) I hope you enjoy!
Thank you
You are so welcome!
This is amazing! Thank you I will use it all the time! Love this recipe!
So glad you love it! We use it all the time too :)