This steak marinade is made with olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, lemon, herbs and spices, and takes just 5 minutes to put together. It adds tons of flavor to any cut of beef and can be used for grilled, broiled or sauteed marinated steak.
I love to use marinades in cooking, it adds so much great flavor with very little effort. I regularly marinate chicken, shrimp and salmon, and I always have this amazing steak marinade in my constant rotation.
How do you make steak marinade?
This steak marinade is a blend of soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning and spices. Mix everything together in either a bowl or a gallon sized freezer bag. Add your steak, and give it at least one hour to soak up all that great flavor!
Should steaks be marinated?
While it’s not a requirement to marinate your steak, most cuts of beef benefit from being marinated. The marinade adds flavor, and the acid in the lemon juice helps to tenderize the meat.
How long can you marinate steak?
I recommend marinating your steak for a minimum of one hour, but if you have time, it’s really best to marinate your steak for at least 6-8 hours. You can leave your steak in the marinade for up to 24 hours if you prefer.
Tips for Steak marinade
- This marinade can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, so it’s great to make in advance if you’re entertaining. You can even freeze your marinade for up to 2 months if need be!
- Feel free to use a low sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs that can be found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. This seasoning is typically a blend of dried basil, parsley, garlic and oregano. If you can’t find Italian seasoning, you can blend together your own dried herbs in equal amounts.
- The steak in these photos is topped with an herb butter which is super easy to make. Simply combine 1/4 cup softened butter with 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs, 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic, salt and pepper. Add a dollop of butter on top of each steak as it comes off the grill.
- This marinade works well with most cuts of beef, I recommend using it on flank steak, New York strip, ribeye, sirloin or filet mignon.
Steak temperatures
The best way to gauge when your steak is done is to use a digital thermometer. You can insert your thermometer into the thickest part of your meat to determine whether the steak is at your preferred level of doneness. I personally like to cook my steaks to medium, I don’t recommend cooking your meat over 150 degrees F as it will be more likely to be tough or dry.
Keep in mind that steaks should rest for at least 5 minutes before you cut into them, so it’s best to take them off the heat a few degrees before you reach your desired temperature, as they’ll continue to cook as they rest.
- Rare: 130 degrees F
- Medium Rare: 135 degrees F
- Medium: 145 degrees F
- Medium Well: 150 degrees F
- Well Done: 160 degrees F
I typically grill my steaks, either on an outdoor charcoal grill or inside on a grill pan. That being said, this marinade works perfectly with sauteed or broiled steak, so go ahead and use whatever cooking method works best for you. Your family will thank you!
More great steak recipes
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
- Steak Kabobs
- Pepper Steak Stir Fry
- Flank Steak Marinade
Steak Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a bowl or in a resealable gallon sized freezer bag. Mix to combine.
- Add steaks to the marinade. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.
- Cook steak as desired. Marinade makes enough for 2 pounds of steak.
A Jaxon says
The marinade was perfect. Medium rare steaks came out juicy and tender. My family was bartering each other for more. I have resolved to marinate all of the meats we grill from now on and this recipe will be my go to recipe.
Shonuff says
Tried this marinade many times. Can’t say enough about it. The steaks are tender and very tasty. I have some marinating overnight in the refrigerator as I type. Thanks for such an awesome product.
Deanna says
I tried this a few months back. I was looking for something easy to make using ingredients I already had in my pantry. The reviews were good so I decided to try it. Wow! Far and away the best steak marinade and so easy! I used good quality strip loin and the results were very close to something you would get at a high end steakhouse. Served with grilled garlic mushrooms, grilled corn on the cob, and Caesar salad. Delicious!
Trish says
I have made many of your recipes and they have always turned out great. So when I was looking for a marinade, I decided I couldn’t go wrong trying out this one. I am so glad I did. It turned out awesome. (The only things I did different was blend everything together, so my daughter wouldn’t see the garlic pieces.) No one complained and everyone ate it!! Another recipe in the win column!!
Betzy says
Hi,
Can this marinade be used for chicken?
Sara says
Yes that will work!
Patti says
Tried this marinade tonight with some New York Strips: the result was nothing short of amazing! The aroma on the grill had me anticipating something good, and I was definitely not disappointed.The flavor in that first bite was unexpected and nothing short of heavenly. Everyone at my table was raving about the flavor. I think the olive oil kept the meat moist, too. Needless to say I will be using this marinade every single time in the future. Thank you!
Amber says
Have you ever tried to freeze the marinade with the steaks?
Sara says
That should work fine!
Janet says
MY FAMILY LOVES THIS MARINADE! IT’S GREAT!!!
Nicole says
Question I’m about to fix this steak now do I put that top recipe on now or after the steak is done?
Sara says
The butter goes on the cooked steak!
Brianna Kennedy says
Hi for the top of the steak what is the exact ingredients that you use? i’m making the marinade tonight to cook for friday. and would like to know exactly what you put on top?
Sara says
4 tablespoons of butter mixed with 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs, can be one type of herb or a combo.
Angelina says
Tried this easy steak marinade here at the Zoo! I am so impressed and delighted with the wonderful results. Tender, juicy, and delicious! I save this recipe to Pinterest and will definitely be my go to marinade!
Chrissy says
Perfect every time!!!
Patricia Schunda says
Fantastic Marinade!! Best ever!!
Cat Lou says
Far and away the best steak marinade I have ever used. My 5 year old who lives on a steady diet of cheese and crackers ate her entire plate and asked for seconds. I barely ate because I was so shocked watching her!
Stacy Hughes says
Just wondering if you are poking holes in the steak with a fork? Great marinade thanks!
Sara says
I do not poke any holes in the steak!
Matt says
I found this steak marinade about eight months ago. Ever since then, this is the only way I have been cooking them. I use a simple propane grill and they turn out awesome everytime. I would highly recommend this marinade.
Karen says
The best and only steak marinade I use