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 LOVE how easy and delicious this is!!
How much meat must I cut?
We typically use 1 1/2 pounds meat with this marinade.
Is there anything better than a great steak on the grill? That marinade will add the BEST flavor!
Can’t wait to try this!
I love how simple this marinade is!
You can bet I’ll be trying this! Yummmmmy!!
Hope you enjoy! :)
The marinade is fantastic. I bet it would be fantastic with pork and chicken too.
Such an easy recipe and I bet it tastes amazing!
My boys and husband will love this!
I’m always looking for a great marinade! This seems so simple and the ingredients so flavorful!
Hope you enjoy! :)
Thank you for this really easy steak marinade! My husband is going to love this!
Hope you enjoy! :)
I love anything that involves steak! This sounds amazing!
That sounds like the perfect marinade and those steaks look awesome!
Thank you! I’m all about easy and delicious!
YUM! This steak just looks and sounds FABULOUS! You can’t go wrong with an awesome marinade, then grilling a delicious steak!
Thank you! It was a huge hit with my family. You can’t beat how how easy it is too!
Easy and delicious marinade – yes please!
The best kind!! :)
I love grilled meat and vegetables during summer! Your tips are so useful! Thanks!
Me too, one of my favorite meals! Glad they were helpful to you. Hope you enjoy!
I love how easy this is! We are big beef eaters here too. My youngest LOVES steak and at 3 can eat an entire 5oz steak himself. In other news…I’m going to need to buy a Costco for myself when my boys are teenagers :P
Haha gotta love big eaters! I can’t even imagine feeding teenage boys. :O Hope you enjoy this recipe!
There is nothing better than a grilled steak packed with flavor. That marinade sounds soooo tasty!
It was a huge hit with my family! Plus you can’t beat how easy it is! :)