Tenderizing Steak Marinade

a closeup of raw steak marinating on a blue dish

5 from 2 votes

You'll never believe how tender and flavorful such an easy Steak Marinade Recipe can make even the cheapest cut of steak! Trust me, it's a game changer!

Prep Time5

Marinating time1

Total Time1 5

Course: marinade

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best steak marinade, steak marinade, steak marinade recipe, tenderizing steak marinade

Servings:

Calories: 138kcal

Author: Isabel Laessig

Equipment

Plastic bag sealable

Ingredients

4 Tablespoons Olive oil
5 Tablespoons Red wine vinegar
4 cloves Garlic minced
1 teaspoon Brown sugar
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Pepper
¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes

See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

Instructions

Mince the garlic, then add all of the ingredients to a dish and mix well.
4 Tablespoons Olive oil, 5 Tablespoons Red wine vinegar, 4 cloves Garlic, 1 teaspoon Brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper, ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
Place the steak in a shallow dish or a plastic bag, then pour over the marinade, turning the steak to make sure it's evenly coated. Wrap tightly or seal well and place the steak in the fridge to marinate for a full day. This is critical to tenderizing the beef!
When ready to cook, let the steak come to room temperature in the marinade and then place directly on the grill or pan.

Notes

The seasonings in this marinade are variable, but don't skip the vinegar. It's critical to ensuring that the meat is tenderized and is the most important ingredient.
Make sure that the steak is fully immersed in the marinade while resting it. I like to rest it in a plastic bag with the air squeezed out.
Marinating time depends on the cut. Cheaper cuts like chuck steak can be fairly tough cuts, so I recommend letting it marinate for a full day to ensure it's fully tenderized. For a more tender cut, 2-6 hours is enough.
No need to pat the steak dry before cooking it! Place it on the grill or pan directly out of the bag; the clinging marinade will just add flavor.

This marinade makes enough for 3 pounds of steak. Chuck steak is used as an example in the images for this recipe.

Nutrition