Beef Marinade Recipe for Steaks - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

June 22, 2021November 19, 2023

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What’s the secret to a tender steak? Use a simple beef marinade for steak to ensure a flavorful, fork-tender cut of meat. Our marinade has four simple ingredients which are probably already in your pantry.

Beef Marinade Recipe

Shut the front door! Only 4 ingredients stand between you and a fork-tender steak.

Did I mention that you probably already have all four ingredients at home in your refrigerator or pantry?

That’s right, you don’t have to use fancy ingredients to make a delicious beef marinade.

Should I marinate steak in beef marinade?

YES, YES, YES.

If you’ve spent money on a nice piece of meat such as a beef steak, think of a marinade as an insurance policy. The last thing you want is a tough, dry steak dinner.

Using a marinade, breaks down the meat for a tender steak while also infusing flavors to enhance the natural flavors of the beef.

How long should I marinate my steak?

I recommend marinating your beef steak for a minimum of 2 – 3 hours, if possible.

But, I find it easiest to make the marinade, pour it over the meat, and then refrigerate overnight. Think of it as meal preparation. When it’s time for dinner the next day, all you have to do it pull it out and throw it on the grill.

If you’re in a time crunch, marinate the meat at room temperature for 30 minutes; it’s better than nothing!

What to soak beef in to make it tender?

Here’s my simple steak marinade. Follow this for a tender, flavorful steak.

Beef Marinade Ingredients

Red Wine Vinegar

Soy Sauce

Brown Sugar

Garlic Powder

How to Make Overnight Steak Marinade (Beef Marinade)

Step by Step Instructions

1. Whisk together red wine vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic powder in a small bowl.
2. Pour over thawed beef steaks in a marinating dish or resealable bag.
3. Refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight, flipping a couple times.
4. Grill beef steaks according to your preference.

For the full ingredient amounts and instructions for overnight steak marinade, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

What goes with beef steaks on the grill?

There’s nothing better than grilled steak with all the sides. The best thing about steak is that it’s the perfect complement to so many side dishes. Check out our top ten favorite side dishes to serve with grilled beef steak.

1. Buttermilk Mac and Cheese
2. Old Fashioned Cheesy Potato Casserole
3. Southern Summer Squash Casserole
4. Mom’s Cucumber and Onions
5. Simple and Sweet Coleslaw
6. Cheesy Creamed Corn
7. Broiled Tomato Slices
8. Cucumber Tomato Salad
9. Carrot Raisin Salad
10. Air Fryer Cauliflower

What is the basic marinade formula?

The basic marinade formula consists of three key elements: acid, oil, and flavorings. By combining these three components in varying proportions, you can create a marinade that suits your taste preferences and enhances the flavor of your meat.

The acid, such as vinegar or citrus juice, helps to tenderize the meat.

The oil, like olive oil or vegetable oil, helps to keep the meat moist during cooking.

Lastly, the flavorings, which can include herbs, spices, and condiments, add depth and complexity to the marinade. By combining these three components in varying proportions, you can create a marinade that suits your taste preferences and enhances the flavor of your meat.

Recipe FAQs

• Substitute white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for Red Wine vinegar, if needed.
• Fresh garlic makes for great flavor if you have it on hand instead of garlic powder. Use 1 – 2 cloves, minced.
• Use low sodium soy sauce, if possible.
• Regular sugar, honey or maple sugar could be used instead of brown sugar.
• Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours minimum, if possible.
• If desired, let marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
• Use a resealable bag or a special marinating container like this oneone.
• I recommend pulling the meat out to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before grilling.
• Let your steak rest for 5 minutes before cutting to prevent all the juices from releasing from the meat.

Marinade Recipes

Overnight Pork Marinade

Rosemary Lemon Pork Chop Marinade

3 Ingredient Steak Marinade

Grilled Pork Steak Rub

Things to Marinade Steak In

Here’s an easy list of ingredients to use to make a steak marinade.

• Soy Sauce
• Cola
• Ginger Ale
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Mustard (yellow, Dijon, whole grain)
• Vinegar (red, balsamic, apple cider)
• Lemon Juice
• Orange Juice