Can I use this marinade for other meats besides steak?

Absolutely! This marinade works wonderfully with pork chops, chicken thighs, or even heartier fish like salmon or swordfish. Just adjust the marinating time – chicken needs at least 2 hours, pork benefits from 4-6 hours, and fish should only marinate for 30 minutes to an hour.

Why shouldn't I use a metal container for marinating?

The acids in the marinade (vinegar and lemon juice) can react with metal, particularly aluminum, which can impart a metallic taste to your food and damage the container. Always use glass, ceramic, or food-grade plastic containers for marinating.

How can I tell if I've marinated my steak too long?

If your steak develops a mushy, grainy exterior or seems to have an unusual gray color, it may have been over-marinated. The acids break down the proteins too much, affecting texture. Start with shorter times, especially for naturally tender cuts like ribeye or filet mignon.

Can I reuse the marinade for basting while cooking?

Never use marinade that has been in contact with raw meat for basting unless you boil it first for at least 5 minutes to kill any bacteria. Better yet, reserve some fresh marinade before adding your meat if you plan to use it as a sauce.

Tenderizing Steak Marinade Recipe

Name: Tenderizing Steak Marinade Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup soy sauce; ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 2 cloves garlic, minced; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Description

This tenderizing steak marinade is a flavorful and easy recipe designed to enhance the texture and taste of your steak. Made with a blend of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and spices, this marinade breaks down tough fibers and infuses the meat with a savory, well-balanced flavor. Perfect for prepping steak ahead for grilling, frying, or broiling.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Marinade

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Instructions

Mix Marinade
In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
Prepare Meat
Place your steak in a zip-top bag or a non-metallic dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring the meat is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish.
Marinate
Refrigerate and allow the steak to marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. Flip the steak once or twice during marinating for even flavor distribution.
Cook Steak
Remove the steak from the marinade and cook using your preferred method such as grilling, frying, or broiling. Discard leftover marinade.

Notes

Marinate thinner cuts for less time to avoid overly soft texture.
Do not reuse the marinade once it’s been in contact with raw meat.
This marinade is versatile and can be used for chicken or pork as well.
For best results, use fresh garlic and lemon juice.
Adjust cayenne pepper to your spice preference.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 2.5 tablespoons)
Calories: 152
Sugar: 3.1 g
Sodium: 1046.4 mg
Fat: 13.6 g
Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11.7 g
Trans Fat: 0.0 g
Carbohydrates: 6.5 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 1.5 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg