What is the Purpose of Marinating Steaks?
I used to be a salt and pepper girl when it came to steak. No marinades for me. That was until our friend Richard introduced us to his secret mud-style marinade. This easy steak marinade is loaded with umami and guarantees flavorful, juicy steak. Whether you’re cooking flank steak, skirt or hanger steak, sirloin, or even a New York strip (trust me, it’s fantastic), this marinade will take your steaks to a new level of deliciousness. Marinating steaks serves two primary purposes: First, our umami-rich marinade enhances the natural beefy flavor of the steak, and second since we spoon extra marinade over the steaks while cooking, it creates a caramelized crust and even juicier results.
How Long Should I Marinate My Steaks?
When using our special mud-style marinade, we recommend marinating the steaks for 1 to 2 hours—no longer. This is because the lemon juice in the marinade can break down the steak’s exterior if left for an extended period. We keep the marinating time short to preserve the steak’s texture and flavor.
Steak Marinade Ingredients
I consider this one of the best steak marinades I’ve used. This particular marinade for steak belongs to the “mud” marinades group, known for its thick consistency and ability to stick to the steak. This guarantees that each and every bite is well coated, making it taste fantastic and look great. Our ultra-flavorful marinade calls for some key ingredients:
Our favorite steak seasoning creates the perfect balance of flavors. Feel free to use your favorite brand, but we highly recommend our homemade seasoning blend. Garlic is classic and adds a lovely aroma. Lemon juice brightens the flavors. Soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce increase the richness and make the steak taste more beefy.
Can I Reuse the Marinade?
Just like when making our chicken marinade, we do not recommend reusing this marinade to ensure food safety due to the risk of cross-contamination from raw meat. It’s best to prepare a fresh batch each time. We ask that you spoon the marinade over the steaks as they cook, but only while cooking. This makes sure that the marinade reaches an acceptable temperature.
What Cooking Methods Work Best for Marinated Steaks?
This thicker, mud-style marinade works wonders on a barbecue or grill pan, infusing the meat with smoky flavors (see our recipe for grilled steak for tips on how to grill steak). Alternatively, you can achieve a beautifully seared crust while retaining juiciness by cooking the marinated steaks in a stainless-steel or cast-iron skillet. Both methods are explained in detail in our recipe below.
How Do I Determine the Doneness of Steak?
To ensure your steak is cooked to perfection: 2 tablespoons high-heat oil like avocado oil vegetable oil, or safflower oil 2 cloves garlic, grated or finely minced 2 teaspoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 2Turn the steaks over and continue to grill until your desired doneness. Use the suggested internal temperature guide below. As the steaks cook, spoon the leftover marinade over them to enhance the flavors. If using an open flame, watch out for flare-ups. 3After cooking, let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing. 2Use the suggested internal temperature guide below to determine your preferred doneness. After cooking, allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing.
