Easy Steak Marinade

My favorite go-to recipe for steak marinade that results in a tender and juicy steak. I created the recipe with just 3 ingredients, making it super quick and easy to assemble. Plus, it tastes amazing!

My Best Steak Marinade Recipe

Steak Marinade Ingredients

• Soy sauce – I love using the low-sodium version so I can better control how much salt is in the marinade
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard

How to Make Easy Steak Marinade

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl, whisking them together until well blended.

STEP TWO: Pour the marinade over the steak and place it in the fridge, letting it soak for at least 2 hours. I’ve also stored the marinating steak in a Ziploc bag.

STEP THREE: When ready, remove the steak from the marinade and cook the steak to your preferred level of doneness.

Tips for The Best Steak Marinade Recipe

• Use a ziplock bag for easy cleanup. I do this constantly. I add the steak, pour the marinade on top, then seal it shut. After I remove the steak, I just seal it back up and toss it in the trash — no mess and one less thing to wash!
• Double the recipe as needed. I wrote this steak marinade for 1 pound of meat. If I need to make more steak, I double the measurements to make sure it covers and marinates all of the steaks.
• Marinate the steak for at least 2 hours. I love to marinate my steak overnight or in the morning for the most flavor, but anything after 2 hours will work! Just don’t let it go more than 24 hours or the steak can start to break down.
• Let the steak come to room temperature before cooking it for even cooking and the best texture. I pull it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before I want to use it.
• Use this marinade when grilling, baking, pan frying, searing, or air frying a steak. I use it with all of those methods and it stays juicy and flavorful.

Variations and Substitutions For This Flank Steak Marinade

• Add in some cajun seasoning and a squeeze of lime for added flavor.
• Swap the Worcestershire sauce for balsamic vinegar. I did this once when I was testing the recipe and loved the flavor it brought to the steak.
• Turn it into a teriyaki-style marinade by adding some brown sugar, ginger, and fresh garlic. I love doing this when I’m making it with rice and veggies.
• Add in some pepper to add a little extra sharp and spicy flavor. I find those who absolutely love pepper, like my mom, love to add it to this recipe.
• Sweeten the marinade by adding a bit of honey. The sweet, floral undertones taste delicious with the Dijon mustard. I’ve also used maple syrup.
• Use lime or lemon juices in place of the Worcestershire sauce. Both work as an acid and will tenderize the steak. I personally love using Worcestershire to add the extra flavors.

How and What to Serve with 3-Ingredient Steak Marinade

I love marinating the actual sauce with steaks such as flank steak, sirloin, round steak, and more. I’ve also used premium cuts like filet mignon and New York strip with it and they tasted great too.

For a typical dinner, I love serving it all alongside a nice veggie like green beans and bacon, air fryer carrots, air fryer asparagus, or a salad and add in a carb like mashed potatoes and biscuits.

Steak Marinade FAQs

How to Marinate Steak

I love to toss all of the marinade ingredients in a Ziploc bag with the steak and move the marinade around to coat it entirely.

If I don’t have a bag to work with, I will place the steak in a glass food storage container and pour the marinade over top, flip the steak, then cover it tightly until I’m ready to use it.

How To Tenderize Steak using a Steak Marinade Recipe

Acid is what helps in tenderizing the steak in a marinade to soften the meat. My steak marinade recipe uses Worcestershire sauce to work as the acid and make the steak tender.

I recommend letting the steak soak in the marinade for at least 2 hours and if possible, overnight or all day, to really help tenderize the steak and add flavor to the meat.

What Are The 3 Basic Components of Marinating?

A standard marinade consists of three key ingredients: acid, fat, and a flavor enhancer. I also like to add salt in there as the fourth because salt adds a ton of flavor to the steak without needing extra ingredients.

My recipe uses Worcestershire sauce as the acidic ingredient, dijon mustard to add a little fat, and soy sauce to add some flavor, including saltiness. I do not use any olive oil or butter to keep the marinade more low-fat — and it isn’t needed.

Should I Discard the Steak Marinade After Use, or Can I Use it As a Sauce?

I love safely repurposing my steak marinade as a sauce by bringing it to a boil and then simmering it for at least a few minutes or until reduced. This process eliminates any potential bacteria from the raw meat and enhances the flavor.

I then drizzle the marinade over my cooked steak to add even more flavor and I’ve also used it as a dipping sauce!

What Cuts of Beef Work With This Steak Marinade Recipe?

My go-to cuts of steak with this marinade are more affordable cuts like flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloins. The marinade helps tenderize and infuse them with incredible flavor! 

I sometimes splurge and use it on more premium cuts like ribeye or filet mignon for special dinner nights, especially rare date nights without the kids!

How Long to Marinate Steak

I like to let my steaks marinate in this savory sauce for at least 2 hours to make sure all those amazing flavors have time to meld.

But if I’m planing ahead for a special dinner, I’ll leave them soaking overnight in the fridge. The key is to take the steaks out of the marinade before the 24-hour mark so it doesn’t break them down too much.

How to Store Unused 3 Ingredient Steak Marinade

My steak marinade can be stored for a few weeks in an airtight container (I like using a mason jar) in the refrigerator. I love to do this to prep ahead so the marinade is ready to go when I want it!

More Easy Dinner Recipes

• Buffalo chicken wrap
• Slow cooker london broil
• Air fryer chicken
• Smothered pork chops recipe
• Chicken tetrazzini
• Cordon bleu
• Velveeta mac and cheese
• Baked tilapia