It’s grilling season! These 6 simple steak marinades couldn’t be easier to make, yet they’ll infuse your ribeyes and tri-tips with incredible flavor. With recipes inspired by the Southwest, Thailand, Europe, and beyond, they also taste like a culinary trip around the world. Perfect for kabobs, salads, sandwiches, and more!
Table of Contents
Simple Steak Marinades for Grilling
The grill is our go-to cooking appliance throughout the summer since it doesn’t heat up the kitchen and adds the best flavor to burgers, brats, steaks, and more. We love cooking up steak because it’s so delicious and easy to serve with grilled veggies or in this steak avocado salad.
But there’s one thing that separates an okay steak from a great one—preparation.
If you want to make sure those pricey steaks taste the best they can, you need to try these easy steak marinades! A good marinade will infuse flavor deep into the center of the steak, add moisture, and tenderize the muscle fibers.
This means that even those economical steaks will have the texture of a more expensive cut, and the flavor difference is night and day! You’ll also end up with a juicy, tender steak every time.
All you need is a few minutes (and a little planning) to whip up the marinade and infuse those steaks with all that flavor. When you’re ready, preheat the grill and go!
For more tasty marinades, you’ll also want to check out these healthy chicken marinades!
Why We Love These Marinades
- Dietitian-formulated to be lower in sodium and sugar
- Designed to add so much flavor in a short period of time
- 6 different steak marinades to fit any meal
- Uses simple ingredients to infuse tons of flavor
- Great way to tenderize tougher cuts to make them easier to eat
- Can be used with any type of steak (skirt steak, ribeye, etc)
- Ready to use in just minutes
- Easy to double or triple for entertaining
Expert Tips
- Marinades can be made up to 5 days ahead of time. Keep a covered container in the refrigerator.
- Many different cuts of steak can be used in this recipe. New York strip, ribeye, sirloin or flank steak are all great choices.
- These quick steak marinades are easily scalable. The amounts written are good for 2-3 medium sized steaks. For 4-6 steaks, double the recipes.
- The steak house marinade has less acidic ingredients in it and can be used to marinate the meat overnight.
- The Tex-Mex and Thai marinades use lime juice which can make the meat break down faster. It is recommended to not marinate for more than 2 hours.
Best Steak Marinades for BBQ & More
1. Tex-Mex Steak Marinade
Fresh lime juice, garlic, and cilantro add a bright, herby flavor with a savory kick! This easy steak marinade would be great for tacos, salads, and any time you want that Tex-Mex flavor.
Pair with: Mexican Macaroni Salad, Grilled Corn Avocado Salad, and Black Bean Burrito Bowls
Tex-Mex
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup olive or avocado oil
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Mix all marinade ingredients together in a jar or small bowl until well combined. Add to a resealable plastic bag with 1 – 1 ½ pounds of steak. Let marinate for 1-2 hours at most. Cook to your liking.
2. Teriyaki Steak Marinade
We love anything teriyaki-flavored around here, as the sweet and savory flavor combination always tastes wonderful and is a big hit with the kids! This simple recipe relies on honey instead of brown sugar for sweetness, but it’s the garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar that really make it pop.
Use it to make kabobs, marinated skirt steak, or to infuse your favorite sirloin steaks before grilling to perfection.
Pair with: Asian Cucumber Salad and Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice
Teriyaki
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha, optional
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated
Instructions
Mix all marinade ingredients together in a jar or small bowl until well combined. Add to a zip top bag with 1 – 1 ½ pounds of steak. Let marinate for 1-6 hours. Cook to your liking.
3. Tangy Steak Marinade
For this easy marinade, I’ve combined some of my favorite European flavors like Italian balsamic vinegar and olive oil and French honey, Dijon mustard, and fresh thyme.
Balsamic vinegar is one of my favorite marinade ingredients, as it adds just enough acidity and a sweet, umami richness that pairs perfectly with the hearty flavor of steak. Try it next time, and you’ll see why this recipe is my go-to!
Pair with: Oven Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Parmesan and Healthy Mashed Potatoes
Tangy
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Mix all marinade ingredients together in a jar or small bowl until well combined. Add to a zip top bag with 1 – 1 ½ pounds of steak. Let marinate for 1-6 hours. Cook to your liking.
4. Mediterranean Steak Marinade
The acidity of red wine vinegar and lemon juice will brighten up any cut of meat, even tougher shoulder and leg roasts, and the garlic, dried oregano, and pepper will provide a savory, herby note. This easy steak marinade recipe always tastes like summer, thanks to the bright, lemony flavor!
Pair with: Healthy Dill Potato Salad, Greek Lentil Salad, or Asparagus Couscous Salad
Mediterranean
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Mix all marinade ingredients together in a jar or small bowl until well combined. Add to a zip top bag with 1 – 1 ½ pounds of steak. Let marinate for 1-6 hours. Cook to your liking.
5. Thai Steak Marinade
For an Asian-inspired option, try this quick steak marinade next! Every single ingredient packs lots of flavor, including fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and ginger. The soy sauce will add all the salty umami flavor you need and balance the aromatics and herbs.
The chili garlic paste is optional but recommended!
Pair with: Asian Cucumber Salad or Quinoa Edamame Salad
Thai
- ½ cup lite coconut milk
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste, optional
Instructions
Mix all marinade ingredients together in a jar or small bowl until well combined. Add to an airtight container with 1 – 1 ½ pounds of steak. Let marinate for a maximum of 2 hours. Cook or grill as desired.
6. Steak House Marinade
If you mark every special occasion with a trip to the steakhouse, this is the perfect marinade for you! The meat is tenderized in red wine, which adds flavor to every single bite. The fresh rosemary and thyme bring a light, aromatic note that keeps the steak and red wine from tasting too heavy.
I love this one any time of year, as the red wine and garlic taste right at home in both the summer and winter. Pair it with filet mignon or any tender cut of beef for an extra special entree.
Pair with: Roasted Garlic Baby Potatoes, Healthy Caesar Salad, and Seasoned Green Beans with Bacon
Steak House
- ⅓ cup red wine
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Mix all marinade ingredients together in a jar or small bowl until well combined. Add to a zip top bag with 1 – 1 ½ pounds of steak. Let marinate for 1-6 hours. Cook to your liking.
Steak Temperature Chart
Using an instant-read meat thermometer is the best way to make sure that you get an accurate temperature reading and cook your steak to your desired level of doneness.
To check the temperature, just stick the metal probe into the middle of each steak and see what it reads. Here is a temperature chart for reference:
- Rare -130℉
- Medium Rare -135℉
- Medium – 145℉
- Well Done – 155℉
FAQs
The best marinade has three basic components: an acid, oil, and your favorite flavorings. Within this basic formula, you can really go wild with flavor.
For an acidic ingredient, I like to use vinegar, fresh citrus juice, or even wine! Use a neutral oil, like olive or avocado, and feel free to load up on flavorings.
Ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce can add intensely savory flavors with minimal effort, so they’re common in marinades. I also love to add fresh or dried herbs, mustard, honey or maple syrup, and spices.
Each of these simple steak marinades is tested to have just the right balance of all these three components, so you can use them and go!
Although peeling and crushing fresh garlic can be a hassle at times, it makes a huge difference! The fresh garlic flavor infuses instantly into every drop of the marinade, while garlic powder takes longer to release its flavor. If you want to add lots of flavor quickly, fresh is best.
I love using soy sauce in my marinades because it’s salty, savory, and potent! A little goes a long way, and it will season meat better than almost anything else. However, some people need to avoid soy due to allergies or other issues.
If wheat is the problem, look for wheat-free tamari or liquid aminos. For a gluten and soy-free option, try coconut aminos instead.
More Meal Prep Recipes
Did you try any of these steak marinades? Leave a rating and review in the comment section below!
6 Easy Grilled Steak Marinades
Ingredients
Tex Mex Steak Marinade
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive or avocado oil
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Teriyaki Steak Marinade
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha, optional
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated
Tangy Steak Marinade
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Mediterranean Steak Marinade
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Thai Steak Marinade
- 1/2 cup lite coconut milk
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste, optional
Steak House Marinade
- 1/3 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix desired marinade ingredients together in a jar or small bowl until well combined. Add to a zip top bag with 1 – 1 ½ pounds of steak. Let marinate for 1-6 hours. Cook to your liking.
Notes
- Marinades can be made up to 5 days ahead of time. Keep a covered container in the refrigerator.
- Many different cuts of steak can be used in this recipe. New York strip, ribeye, sirloin or flank steak are all great choices.
- These quick steak marinades are easily scalable. The amounts written are good for 2-3 medium sized steaks. For 4-6 steaks, double the recipes.
- The steak house marinade has less acidic ingredients in it and can be used to marinate the meat overnight.
- The Tex-Mex and Thai marinades use lime juice which can make the meat break down faster. It is recommended to not marinate for more than 2 hours.
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