Easy to Make Steak Marinades

A marinade is a seasoning that food is soaked in for a period of time before cooking, to add flavor. Many marinades also have a tenderizing effect on the meat. Meat must always be refrigerated while marinating. Marinades used for chicken and beef are often a combination of sweet and tangy flavors. A very popular marinade for casual meals is a barbecue sauce mixture. If you want the meat to have a rich succulent flavor, it is important to allow it to soak in the sauce. While the time required for marination differs from kitchen to kitchen, the meat will be wonderfully tender and juicy after about six hours of marination. Also, the meat must be punctured all over with a fork for the juices to soak in well.

Depending on the marinade used and the cut of the meat, the preparation may be an everyday meal or haute cuisine. Following are a few easy to make steak marinade recipes.

Whiskey Steak Marinade

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup applesauce
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• ¼ cup raisins
• ½ cup whiskey
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• ½ cup brown sugar, unpacked
• ¼ cup dark molasses
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

In a large bowl, mix together the whiskey, pineapple juice, tomato paste, molasses, applesauce, brown sugar, raisins, lemon zest, and cayenne pepper. Place the raw steak in a bowl and puncture it all over with a fork. Pour the marinade over it, cover and place it in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes. Remove and grill.

Lemony Oriental Marinade

Ingredients

• 1½ tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tbsp chopped green onion
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¾ tsp grated fresh ginger
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper pods
• 1½ tbsp vegetable oil

Mix all the ingredients together. Place the raw steak in a flat dish and pour marinade over it. Turn it so both sides are evenly coated. Cover and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour and a half. Remove and grill.

Coffee Marinade

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, crushed
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp strong brewed coffee
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp salt

Whisk coffee, vinegar, oil, sugar, garlic, peppercorns and salt in a large bowl. Add the raw steak and turn it so it will be coated on both sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. This marinade goes well with a flank steak. Remove the steak from the marinade and grill.

Teriyaki Marinade

Ingredients

• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 glove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

In a big bowl, mix the soy sauce, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Add the ginger, garlic and brown sugar and mix well to ensure no lumps are formed. One can either pour the marinade over the steak in a dish or put both the marinade and steak in a food safe zip lock bag. Place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Remove and grill.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends that used marinade that has been applied to raw meats be discarded. This is because raw meats, such as red meat, fish, and chicken, may contain unhealthy substances which may enter the marinade. While these substances are neutralized in the cooking process, using the leftover marinade later as a sauce can expose one to harmful chemicals.

These marinade recipes are very easy to make and you are likely to find most of the ingredients in your kitchen cabinets. Each recipe will lend an entirely different flavor to the meat. So try them all, for one will surely become a family favorite.