This is the very BEST quick steak marinade, perfect for grilling up juicy, flavorful steaks – even cheap cuts! – so tasty you won’t need sauce.
It’s that time of year, full-on grilling season, and I could not be more excited about it. Around here we have a definite season for grilling since half of the year it’s too cold to stand out side and flip anything with a pair of tongs, though back in January I did put on about 13 layers and stand out on the back deck to make dinner a few nights. Desperation!
Now that the weather is making a definite trend toward Summer, I’ve been grilling up a storm and the first thing I’ve been working on is a recipe for perfect, super juicy and flavorful steak.
Growing up I actually believed I didn’t care for steak at all because it was dry, tough, and flavorless. Or so I thought! It wasn’t until I was getting into adulthood that I realized that steak didn’t have to be dry, tough, or flavorless. In fact, it could be crazy-delicious, juicy, and bursting with big, bold flavors.
The key to a great steak is all in the marinade. But you don’t have to plan for hours in advance to get the benefits of a really good marinade. Today I’m sharing with you my secret sauce for a 20-minute marinade that will transform even cheaper cuts into delicious and tender steak with enough flavor to make you forget to pull out the A-1.
This steak marinade is made with a base of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, which makes a perfect combination for tenderizing the meat. Next add in some herbs, garlic, and a hint of honey for sweetness all infusing into the steak for big flavor. Toss the steak and the marinade into a sealable bag, and chill for 15-20 minutes before throwing your steak on the grill.
Tips for perfect grilled steak
- Preheat the grill so the grates are nice and hot before putting the steak on
- Once placing the steak on the grates, try to move it as little as possible
- Don’t cut into your steak to check for readiness! This will let the juices run out and dry out your steak. Use a thermometer or the hand test (take a look at this article if you’re unfamiliar with the hand test – I love this method)
- Once cooked, allow steak to rest for at least five minutes before cutting into it to preserve the juices and keep it from drying out
Best Quick Steak Marinade
This is the very BEST quick steak marinade, perfect for grilling up juicy, flavorful steaks – even cheap cuts! – so tasty you don’t need sauce.
-
4-6
8-ounce steaks -
1/3
cup
balsamic vinegar -
1/3
cup
soy sauce -
1/4
cup
oil -
2
tablespoons
worcestershire sauce -
1
tablespoon
honey -
1
teaspoon
dried Italian seasoning -
1
teaspoon
garlic powder -
1
teaspoon
dried mustard -
chopped parsley, for garnish
optional
Whisk together balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, oil, worcestershire sauce, honey, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and dried mustard.
Add steaks and marinade to a zip lock bag, tossing the steaks a few times to coat. Press the excess air out, seal the bag, and chill for 15-20 minutes.
Use tongs to transfer steaks to a preheated grill. Cook until desired doneness is reached. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
