Best Steak Marinade Recipe (2024)

The absolute best steak marinade recipe that will quickly become your "go-to" for any cut of beef! Not only does it help tenderize the meat but it also adds a delicious savory flavor. This is the only steak marinade you'll ever need!

With this recipe for marinating steaks, I have created a tried and tested way of guaranteeing your steak will taste amazing every single time. I often receive emails from my readers telling me how much they love this flavorful grilled steak marinade. We're talking robust flavor that is both easy and quick to prepare. If you're looking to make the best grilled steaks, then this recipe is a must have!

It's important that you marinate steak because not only does it add a lot of flavor, but it also tenderizes the meat making it easier to eat. This marinade works really well on any cut, but it's a great flank steak marinade!

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

Here's what you'll need to make this steak marinade:

• canola oil
• soy sauce
• red wine vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Fresh lemon juice
• garlic
• ground pepper

The base of this marinade contains oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, and garlic. Olive oil or canola oil works best. It works really well on tougher cuts of meat and does a great job breaking down tough muscle fibers. The acidity helps break down the tough fibrous tissues. The oil is an important component to help the flavor transfer into the meat and keep it nice and juicy while it cooks. The combination of dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and pepper provides a subtle and zesty flavor that all will enjoy!

📋 Steak Marinade - Step-by-Step Instructions

Learning how to properly marinate steak will set you up for success every time. To start, you'll need to combine the marinade ingredients. In a medium bowl, mix the canola oil, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, fresh squeezed lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon Mustard, fresh minced garlic, and ground black pepper.Pour the marinade into a gallon Ziplock bag and then add the meat. Shake well, ensuring the meat is well covered.

Regardless of which method you choose, refrigerate for a minimum of 12 hours, preferably 24 hours. After it has finished marinating, remove the meat from the marinade let it rest uncovered in a dish for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Preheat the grill to a medium-high heat and when hot, place the steak on the grill and sear on each side for 2-3 minutes. Then, lower the heat to medium-low and grill for 7-10 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

You can also cook the steak in the oven. To do so, preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the meat in an ovenproof dish and cook for 20 minutes, or until desired doneness.

Once done, remove from the heat and let it rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing.

💭 Expert Tips

• I highly recommend marinating the steak for at least 12 hours, if not 24 hours before cooking. The marinade is full of flavor so take the time and don't skip this step.
• What really makes this marinade pop is the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, fresh minced garlic, and Dijon Mustard. I'm telling you, these four ingredients are KEY and pair so perfectly with the oil, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
• If you opt to cook the steak in the oven, don't cook it in the marinade. If you grill the steak, don't baste it in the marinade it soaked in. It's just not safe due to bacteria growth.
• Try cooking your it in the air fryer or by pan searing on the stove top.
• The steak will be more juicy if you let it rest once you remove it from the heat. Letting it rest before slicing helps make it extra juicy and you want to do everything you can to hold in the juices.
• Make sure you slice against the grain and ensure it is thinly sliced. Using these techniques will result in a more tender steak.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

📖 Other Recipes For The Grill

I tend to cook flank steak a lot because it tastes good on its own, in tacos, or in pasta. If you love grilling as much as I do, then you should check out my Grilled Flank Steak with Mexican Corn Salad. Topping this recipe off with a corn salsa is delicious! I even like to eat it as a snack! These Asian Steak Roll Ups are healthy and keep me full for several hours. I also love making kabobs on the grill. These Italian Marinade Steak and Vegetable Kabobs are perfect for any lunch or dinner. And this Greek Marinated Chicken is hands down the most flavorful and juicy chicken dish! The secret is in the marinade!

🥘 Side Dishes To Serve With Steak

There are so many side dishes that pair well with steak! This Grilled Corn with Cotija Cheese is charred and full of flavor with several seasonings and cheese. And you can never go wrong with Homemade Mashed Potatoes. Creamy and full of flavor, these are easy to whip up in no time! If you're looking for a good salad to pair, check out my Romaine Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette Dressing. It's made with creamy Havarti cheese, crisp bacon, and tossed in a rich vinaigrette dressing. It's the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and crunchy goodness!

My Latest Cookbook

How To Cook Steak

If you love a good steak then you have to check out my cookbook How to Cook Steak: Techniques to Master Selecting, Preparing, and Cooking Steak. Not only are you going to get 65 delicious recipes but this essential steak cookbook teaches you to:

• Know your cuts―Check out at-a-glance steak cut profiles with defining characteristics and ideal cooking methods for various cuts of beef, from flat iron to flank. And, learn the difference between Prime, Choice, and Select grades.
• Prep and store―Find out how to store and prepare the meat before cooking, and discover the best ways to preserve and reheat those delicious leftovers.
• Talk like a butcher―Learn how to shop for meat, understand different grades of beef, and decipher vocabulary like dry aging and grain-fed vs. grass-fed beef.

Get Your Copy Here!

Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2017, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures, and tips in January 2023