Tenderizing Steak Marinade Recipe

To marinate or not to marinate? Before you cook that pricey steak — and they're all pricey these days — this is a question you must ask yourself, as marinating isn't something that can be done at the last second. As a rule of thumb, recipe developer Christina Musgrave advises that "Cheaper cuts of steak are best marinated," adding that "A basic strip steak is always a great candidate for a marinade." She does, however, note that should your budget run to filet mignon, there's no need to marinate.

So what's in this marinade? Musgrave says that a combination of vinegar, lemon juice, and soy sauce are all used to break down the proteins in the steak, thus making it more tender and, she assures us, "juicy and delicious" to boot. She also says that her special ingredient is a hint of cayenne, something she says "adds just a pinch of spice to the marinade." Not only does this marinade work well with steak, but she also says "This would be great on chicken or pork."

This marinade includes 2 types of fresh produce: garlic, plus some juice from a lemon. You'll also need a few bottled condiments: soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Add in some salt, pepper, and cayenne, and you're good to go.

First things first: Squeeze the lemon and measure out the necessary amount of juice, then peel and mince the garlic. Combine these ingredients with the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and cayenne, and stir until everything is well-combined.

Place you steak in a plastic bag, a casserole dish, or a large non-metal bowl, and pour the marinade on top. Let the steak sit in the marinade for at least an hour, and up to 8 hours. If you're opting for a longer period of time, put the steak in the refrigerator for food safety reasons — the USDA recommends that meats and other perishables not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

If you're wondering whether you need to dry off the steak when it's time to cook it, Musgrave says no. As she tells us, "I like to keep some of the marinade on the steak while cooking." You can cook the steak any way you like, although Musgrave notes that "Pan searing for a few minutes per side, or grilling are great methods for cooking a marinated steak."

Once you take the steak out of the marinade, should you just pour it down the drain? No, there's no need to waste the ingredients. Instead, Musgrave recommends "Once the steaks are done cooking, add ... the marinade to the pan to reduce into a sauce." As a precaution against food-borne illness, however, you should bring it to a boil and cook it for at least 5 minutes to guard against any contamination from the uncooked meat.