A good steak deserves a great marinade, and this steak marinade recipe delivers flavor in spades. Whether you’re firing up the grill or searing indoors, this blend brings out the best in your beef. With the perfect mix of savory, tangy, and a touch of sweet, it tenderizes the meat while locking in bold, juicy flavor.
This recipe is ideal for ribeyes, sirloins, flank steaks, and even tougher cuts that benefit from a flavor boost. Prep is easy, and you can marinate ahead for stress-free cooking. Once you try this marinade, you’ll never want to grill steak without it.
What Makes a Great Steak Marinade?
A balanced steak marinade should have acid to tenderize (like vinegar or citrus), oil to keep it moist, salt to enhance flavor, and aromatics for that wow factor. This recipe hits all those notes with soy sauce, Worcestershire, garlic, and a hint of honey for balance.
Ingredients for the Steak Marinade Recipe
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 to 2 pounds steak of your choice

How To Make the Steak Marinade Recipe
Step 1: Whisk the Marinade Together
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. Once combined, stir in the minced garlic, black pepper, onion powder, and red pepper flakes if using.
Step 2: Marinate the Steak
Place your steak in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it’s well coated. Seal or cover, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Grill or Cook to Perfection
Remove the steak from the marinade and discard the excess. Pat the steak dry for a better sear, then grill, broil, or pan-sear to your desired doneness. Let it rest before slicing.
Serving and Storing Your Marinated Steak
Serve your marinated steak with a side of grilled veggies, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad for a well-rounded meal. Leftovers? Store cooked steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the marinated uncooked steak for up to 2 months—just defrost before cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I marinate steak?
At least 2 hours, but for best flavor and tenderness, marinate for 8 to 24 hours.
Can I reuse steak marinade?
No, it’s best to discard used marinade to avoid cross-contamination.
Is this marinade good for other meats?
Absolutely! It works great with chicken, pork, and even tofu.
Can I make this marinade without soy sauce?
You can substitute coconut aminos or tamari for a soy-free or gluten-free option.
Should I poke holes in my steak before marinating?
It’s not necessary, and it can actually let juices escape during cooking. Just let the marinade do its job.
Want More Marinade & Meat Ideas?
If you love this steak marinade, you might also enjoy:
- Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts
- Creamy Cajun Steak Alfredo
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Alfredo Tortellini
- One Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles
- Healthy Lemon Butter Baked Cod
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest board so it’s ready for your next BBQ or steak night.
Tried it? Let me know how it turned out in the comments. Did you go heavy on the garlic or try it with flank steak? Share your tips and twists—I love seeing how you make these recipes your own.
Explore more dishes like this on my Pinterest at Nina Dishes.

Steak Marinade Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours minimum (with marinating)
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
This bold and savory steak marinade tenderizes and infuses deep flavor into your favorite cuts of beef. With the perfect balance of tangy balsamic, zesty Dijon, and aromatic garlic, it’s your go-to for grilling season and beyond.
Ingredients
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 to 2 pounds steak
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey.
2. Stir in minced garlic, black pepper, onion powder, and red pepper flakes if using.
3. Place steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over the meat and coat well.
4. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
5. Remove steak from marinade, pat dry, and discard marinade.
6. Grill, pan-sear, or broil steak to desired doneness.
7. Let rest before slicing and serving.
Notes
Let the steak come to room temperature before cooking for even results.
Use a resealable bag for easy cleanup and full meat coverage.
Don’t skip drying the steak before searing—it helps create a great crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: Varies by steak doneness
- Category: Marinade
- Method: No-cook (marinade), Grill or Pan-sear (steak)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz steak
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: steak marinade, grill marinade, summer BBQ
