Best Steak Marinade in Existence – soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, basil, pepper, cayenne, and parsley. I have to admit, this is hands-down the best steak marinade I’ve ever had. It is packed full of flavor and doesn’t use any crazy ingredients. Marinate all day for maximum flavor! Grill or pan sear for a meal that is better than any fancy steakhouse.
Originally posted March 20, 2012
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Pin This RecipeEasy Steak Marinade Recipe
The name really says it all – this is the Best Steak Marinade in Existence. We’ve been making this recipe since I started the blog. It is packed full of flavor and doesn’t use any crazy ingredients. You probably have everything in the pantry right now to make it. The marinade only takes a minute to whip up and the cooked steaks taste better than any fancy restaurant!
How to Make the Best Steak Marinade in Existence
This marinade is effortless to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the steak marinade ingredients – soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, dried basil, dried parsley, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and minced garlic. Season with salt and black pepper. Pour the marinade over your steaks and place them in the refrigerator for a few hours up to overnight. When ready to cook the steaks, remove steaks from the marinade and cook until they reach your preferred temperature.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- I like to marinate the steaks in a freezer bag.
- You can use this marinade on any cut of beef you enjoy – ribeye, sirloin, new york strip, filet, skirt steak, flank steak– anything you like.
- This makes enough to marinate 6 to 8 steaks, depending on the size.
- Here are our instructions on how to cook steaks in a cast-iron skillet or grill pan: https://www.plainchicken.com/steakhouse-filets/
- Here are our instructions on how to cook steaks in the air fryer: https://www.plainchicken.com/air-fryer-ribeyes/
- The cooking time will depend on the internal temperature you want and the steaks’ thickness. Use a meat thermometer to cook the steaks to your preferred doneness.
- Rare 120º to 125ºF
- Medium-Rare 125º to 135ºF
- Medium 125º to 145ºF
- Medium-Well 145º to 155ºF
- Well-Done 155ºF+
- Feel free to add your favorite spices and herbs to the marinade. Some of our favorite variations/additions are:
- onion powder
- thyme
- oregano
- balsamic vinegar
- Do I have to use lemon juice? The lemon juice is included in the marinade to help make the steak tender. The acid in the lemon juice helps break down the tough fibers in the meat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
What to Serve with Steak
These steaks are AH-MAZ-ING! We had some friends over a few weeks ago for dinner. I made these steaks, and they were blown away! They asked for the recipe and made them for themselves the next week. Give this marinade a try the next time you want a great steak! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
We usually serve our steaks with potatoes, salad, and some rolls. Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with steaks:
Steakhouse Scalloped Potatoes
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Bourbon Mushrooms
Bourbon Mushrooms – better than the fancy steakhouses! Super easy to make and ready in about 20 minutes. Fresh mushrooms…
Million Dollar Twice Baked Potatoes
Million Dollar Twice Baked Potatoes – the BEST potatoes EVER!! Loaded with three types of cheese! Can make in advance…
Copycat Outback Ranch Dressing
Copycat Outback Ranch Dressing – seriously the BEST ranch dressing I’ve ever eaten! Tastes just like the restaurant. Super easy…
Best Steak Marinade in Existence
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ Tbsp garlic powder
- 3 Tbsp dried basil
- 1½ Tbsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp ground white pepper
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp minced garlic
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients. Pour marinade over meat. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Cook meat as desired.
Notes:
- You can use this marinade on any cut of steak that you enjoy – ribeye, sirloin, NY Strip, filet, skirt steak, flank steak – anything.
- This makes enough to marinate 6 to 8 steaks, depending on the size.
- Here are our instructions on how to cook steaks in a cast iron grill pan: https://www.plainchicken.com/steakhouse-filets/
- Here are our instructions on how to cook steaks in the air fryer: https://www.plainchicken.com/air-fryer-ribeyes/
- The cooking time will just depend on what internal temperature you want and how thick the steaks are. Use a meat thermometer to cook the steaks to your preferred doneness.
- Rare 120º to 125ºF
- Medium-Rare 125º to 135ºF
- Medium 125º to 145ºF
- Medium-Well 145º to 155ºF
- Well-Done 155ºF+
Steph
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Absolutely delicious!!
This marinade is absolutely excellent! Thank you for sharing! Will definitely use over and over again with our steaks.
This is absolutely the best marinade I have tried, definitely saving this recipe. Thank you!
My family loves steak made with this! This is the request now from. My boys when they come home from college ! 6’10 , 6’8” and 6’6” can eat and they love it! Making it for them tomorrow.
One word: DELISH ! as are most of Stephanie’s Plain Chicken !!
also like Taste of Home recipes.
Has anyone tried this recipe on chicken or pork chops? Just curious…. thanks…
Lisa
I’m sure it would be delicious – go for it!
I have used it on both chicken and pork. Best ever!
We have used your recipe since it was first posted. It works well with grilled chicken and pork chops too. If time allows we let it sit overnight but always 4-6 hours. Just before grilling we dust liberally with Longhorn’s Steak House seasoning. I have always made my own version but it is now sold at the Dollar Tree. You may also want to try Ted’s Montana Grill seasoning mix too.
I’ll have to try the Longhorn’s Steakhouse Seasoning next time.
Does marinating with lemon juice for that long change the texture of the meat? Most marinades with acidic fruit juice left over an hour make the meat mushy or rubbery?
Made and Loved it….ymmv
This is the best marinade I have ever had in my LIFE!! We use it on every kind of meat. Steak, chicken, pork chops. Its amazing!!
Is this similar to what smokehouses use?
This is excellent!!!! Tried it on pork chops (grilled) and they were so tender, juicy and full of flavor. Trying it tonight on chicken????????????
DO you think lime juice would work as well as lemon juice?
I think that would be fine
How long do you grill it? My husband says it really is not going to make it tender but I think it will.
Can you marinade longer than 8 hours?
Used this last week with a few changes. I doubled the soy saunce and threw in a teaspoon each of oregano and rosemary.
Utterly fantastic on a skirt steak grilled at 600 🙂
Have you ever tried slow cooking steak with this marinade?
It should work fine. I've never slow cooked a steak. We always grill or pan sear it.
I made this and it's incredible! I doubled the marinade and used half of it to simmer with mushrooms to top the steaks with. So, so good!!
You think I could use this marinade in the crock pot? Its getting too cold to grill here.
this IS the best marinade! i make a few minor subs (montreal steak pepper mix for the white pepper, and reg minced garlic for the dried minced garlic, and no hot sauce).
we love it, the company we've had over for it love it too (3 diff times now!).
Finding this marinade makes me happier than a bird with a french fry!
Used this one some cheap steaks and it made them nice and tender with great flavor. Thanks!
Sara, we got the skr steaks at The NY Butcher Shoppe in Birmingham. They have a great selection of meat. We also just bought some great looking skirt steak at Publix last night.
Silly question but where did you skirt steaks that big?!
This was the first recipe I made when I started working at allrecipes for a family bbq and now barley no meat goes uncooked without this marinade!
Tried it the other night — it was delicious!!
I've seen this same recipe and at the time dismissed it because steaks like ribeyes and strip steaks don't need a marinade. But using it was skirt steak like you did (or flank or flat iron) is a great idea.
I just made this last night on chicken. It was FAB! I couldn't believe I had all the ingredients on hand….except the white pepper. I can't find it at my grocery store.
I have used this myself and it is fantastic!
I had the same thought when I saw it and we've used it a couple of times and enjoyed it both times. I look forward to your thought regarding pork and chicken.
I want a plate of that.
I'm in the mood for steak, this looks delicious! Can't wait to try it.
Interesting. I don't have white pepper and I never have dried parsley, but I do have a few steaks thawing for supper tonight and everything else the recipe calls for. I may give this a try… Thanks for sharing.
Love the flavors of this recipe. I love Allrecipes.com too. I actually think I tried this recipe too. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of the great recipe!
I just made this one last week too! Second time; the first time we made fajitas with it and added green chiles (canned) into the mix. It was great either way!
Sounds delicious.
Thank you for sharing Stephanie.
Enjoy your day.
This is very close to my sister in law's marinade. I'll give it a try. Thanks. ~ Maureen
I was afraid this recipe was going to have Italian dressing in it. Seems like most steak marinades do and I HATE Italian dressing on anything but a salad.
Can't wait to try it!
Thanks for posting this Stephanie. It does sound good.
This looks delicious! I cannot wait to try it!
sounds delish..
thanks~!
Bookmarked! I look forward to trying it-thanks:@)