The Ultimate Steak Tenderizing Marinade: Perfect Results Every Time

The Ultimate Steak Tenderizing Marinade: Perfect Results Every Time

Have you ever sunk your teeth into a steak only to find it challenging and chewy? No more of that disappointing experience, starting today! With the right marinade, you can turn budget cuts into tender, juicy wonders that rival expensive steakhouse outings.

How To Cook Steak So That It’s As Tender As Ever

A good steak marinade imparts flavor and tenderizes the meat. The trick is using ingredients that break down the tough muscle fibers while imparting delicious flavor.

Here’s what Makes This Marinade So Effective:

• Soy sauce also provides salt and savory that compliments the meat.

• The acid in the lemon juice will break down the steak’s proteins and tenderize it.

• The balsamic vinegar works with the lemon juice to tenderize the meat while subtly adding sweetness.

• Olive oil traps moisture and aids in jamming flavors into the meat

• Worcestershire sauce adds heaps of umami, deepening the steak’s flavor.

• Garlic imparts an aromatic flavor that goes wonderfully with the beef

• Seasonings such as salt, pepper, and a bit of cayenne construct layers of flavor

The marinade is excellent for all kinds of steak, but it’s beneficial for less expensive cuts that need more tenderizing. The acid in these ingredients breaks down tough fibers while the oil and seasonings lend moisture and flavor.

These Simple Swaps Allow You To Tailor Your Steak Marinade

Don’t fret if you’re missing an ingredient or two! This marinade is malleable, and you can swap out things you probably have in your kitchen.

If You Don’t Have:

Lemon Juice: Swap in apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar

Fresh Garlic: Use 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder

Soy Sauce: For soy sauce alternatives, try coconut aminos or Ohsawa White Nama Shoyu

Italian Seasoning: substitute Montreal steak seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or BBQ spice blend

To anyone with a more meaty palate, throw in your favorite herbs (Dried basil and parsley are a great option) and behausenomenä gocalyptic, making your spice mixture. The hot sauce is optional but rounds things out with a pleasant warmth that doesn’t spice the steak.

The nice thing about making your marinade is that you control the ingredients. You can control the saltiness, add more garlic if you love it, and throw in your favorite herbs to make it yours.

Perfect Timing: How Long To Marinade For Best Results

You know the one: Everyone asks, “How long should I marinate my steak?” The answer varies depending on what you’re after and the cut of meat you’re using.

For Best Results, marinate for at least 20 minutes. This allows the flavors time to start working their magic on the surface of the meat. But for optimal performance, do this:

• Thin cuts (skirt or flank steak): 2–4 hours is perfect

• Thicker, tougher cuts (sirloin, round): 6–8 hours works best

Something To Keep In Mind:

Do not marinate longer than 8 hours! The acids in the marinade keep breaking down the meat fibers, and leaving them in for too long can give you mushy steak instead of tender steak. You’ll find that with this marinade, less is more. For food safety, marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. Use a zip-top plastic bag or other non-metal container; the acidic ingredients may react with some metals.

How To Store Leftover Marinade

And if you have extra marinade or make it specifically, don’t let it go unused! You have two good options:

Whatever unused marinade you have can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze it if you want to store it longer and use it later. Bring the used marinade to a rolling boil for at least 5 minutes.

This kills off any bacteria from the raw meat and reduces the liquid to a flavor-packed sauce suitable for drizzling over your cooked steak. The boiled marinade is also great on side dishes. Drizzle your meal over grilled vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes to bring it together. Or scoop it up with crusty bread for a flavor-rich delight.

The All New Recipe: Your Guide To Tender Steak Every Time

Now that you’re familiar with the science and timing, here’s the full recipe for the ultimate steak tenderizing marinade:

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 2 T balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1½ tablespoons garlic powder)

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until well blended.

• Put your steak in a zip-top bag or shallow dish.

• Cover the steak with the marinade.

• Then, seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate it.

• Marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 8 hours, depending on the cut.

• Take the steak out of the marinade and shake off the excess.

• You may cook the steak to your liking.

This recipe yields enough marinade for, depending on the size and shape of your cuts, 1 to 2 pounds of steak. The best part? This marinade isn’t only for steak. Chicken, pork, or firm tofu can be used for equally delectable results.

Remember that chicken and other proteins require much less marinating, generally only 2 to 4 hours maximum. With this simple but mighty marinade in your cooking arsenal, you’ll never have to eat a chewy or bland steak again. Even cheap cuts will emerge tender, juicy, and flavorful every time.