Decades ago, we got a steak marinade recipe from a neighbor, and we’ve been using it ever since. Not only is it super simple, but it makes our steak even more delicious and so very flavorful.
This Easy Steak Marinade is bold, savory, and perfect for turning any cut of steak into something tender and flavorful. Made with Italian dressing, A.1. sauce, and Worcestershire, this simple marinade adds SO MUCH flavor while helping the steak stay juicy and perfectly charred on the grill.
Trust us – you’ll never need another steak marinade recipe after trying this one!
If you love easy grilling recipes like this, be sure to try Mexican Chicken Marinade, Carne Asada, Steak Kabobs, and Cilantro Lime Chicken.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- So easy. This simple recipe whips up in minutes and only requires 4 ingredients!!! The ingredients are straight forward, and it works with multiple cuts of meat.
- Make it yours. You can easily change up the flavor profile or add a bit of spice, but we love this marinade just as it is.
- For all grilled dinner ideas. This works well with a variety of steak cuts, chicken, or even ribs!
Easy Steak Marinade Ingredients
- Italian dressing (1 cup): Adds oil, vinegar, and seasonings that tenderize and flavor the steak. We don’t have a favorite brand and have successfully made this recipe for steak marinade using whatever brand was on sale that week. Use 1 cup liquid dressing, not a powdered Italian seasoning mix.
- A.1. Original sauce (½ cup): Brings bold, tangy steakhouse flavor. We use the original flavor. A1 Sauce is a commonly found steak sauce in the US. A very similar product outside the US would be HP sauce. It is a bit tangier and spicier than A1 sauce, so you may wish to balance the flavor by adding a bit of sugar.
- Worcestershire sauce (½ cup): Adds deep umami richness.
- Lemon juice (1 teaspoon, optional): Brightens the marinade and enhances tenderness. Or use lime juice to add a bit of a zesty layer of flavor.
- Steak (1 pound, flat-iron, skirt, top sirloin, or flank): Absorbs the marinade and becomes tender and flavorful when grilled.
How to Make and Marinate Steak
MARINATE. Combine 1 cup Italian dressing, ½ cup A.1. sauce, ½ cup Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a large resealable plastic bag or airtight container. Mix well.
Add 1 pound of steak (about 2 steaks) to the marinade, coating all sides.
Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours up to 36 hours.
GRILL. When ready to cook, preheat the grill to 450–500°F. Allow steaks to come to room temperature.
Place steaks on the grill and cook until golden brown and slightly charred (4–5 minutes). Flip steaks over and continue to grill to the desired doneness (see below; 5–7 minutes for medium).
Let meat rest for 5 minutes before serving. The steak will continue to cook a bit and the juices will distribute.
Top Steak Making Tips
- Our family loves flat iron steak or skirt steak, but other cuts of meat that are good for marinating and grilling include sirloin, t-bone, porterhouse, round steak, New York strip steak, and flank steak. Prime cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, or other premium aged beef are already flavorful and tender, so pass on marinating those.
- Start with a clean grill and add vegetable or olive oil to the grate before heating.
- Allow the steaks to come to room temperature before putting them on the grill (about 30 minutes).
- Only flip the steak once. Let the meat rest after taking it off the grill. The steak will continue to cook a bit, and the juices will distribute.
- Remember to sear the steak over direct heat. Thinner steaks will cook sufficiently with searing. For a thinker cut; once seared, move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
- I heat my grill to between 450-550°F before grilling steak.
- For steaks that are 1½ inches or thicker, use a meat thermometer. Start by charring them over HIGH heat then moving them to a section set to LOW heat to finish cooking. Rare: 120°F Medium Rare: 130°F Medium: 140°F
- For thinner steaks, use a timer and cook over high heat; Rare: 3 minutes on each side Medium Rare: 4 minutes on each side Medium: 5 minutes on each side
Kristyn’s Steak Marinade Tips
- Poke a few holes in the steak with a fork to allow the marinade to easily reach the center of the meat.
- Never reuse this marinade once it has come in contact with raw meat. For basting, set some aside BEFORE adding raw meat.
- No grill? Use a cast-iron skillet or a grill pan to cook the steak on the stovetop.
Steak Marinade Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- ½ cup A.1. Original sauce
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
- 1 pound steak of choice, (flat-iron, skirt, top sirloin or flank steak)
Instructions
- Combine dressing, A.1. sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice in a large resealable plastic bag or airtight container. Mix well.
- Add steak to the marinade, making sure it is coated on all sides.
- Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours or up to 36 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat the grill to 450–500°F. Allow steaks to come to room temperature.
- Place steaks on the grill and cook until golden browned and slightly charred (4–5 minutes). Flip steaks over and continue to grill to the desired doneness (see below; 5–7 minutes for medium).
- Let meat rest for 5 minutes before serving. The steak will continue to cook a bit, and the juices will distribute.
Notes
- Poke a few holes in the steak with a fork to allow the marinade to easily reach the center of the meat.
- Be sure you have enough marinade for the amount of meat. Flip the steak halfway during the marinating time to ensure all sides get coated.
- Never reuse this marinade once it has come in contact with raw meat. For basting, set some aside BEFORE adding raw meat.
- I heat my grill to between 450-550°F before grilling steak.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Freezing stops the marinating process, so it is safe to add your meat to a marinade and then keep it in the freezer until ready to thaw and cook. For best results, do not freeze in this flavorful marinade for longer than 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
After cooking the meat in the homemade steak marinade, store it in a Ziploc bag and place it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Wrap the steak tightly and place it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
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This recipe was first shared July, 2013.
Love this marinade. Super simple and easy, the steak turned out juicy and flavorful.
Marinading the steak first added so much flavor to it and helped keep the steak from drying out when cooking.
This was the best and easiest marinade I have ever used! Can’t wait to make this again!
I have always experimented with marinade, but I have to say this recipe is excellent.
This is my “go to” steak marinade. I can hardly believe something so easy to prepare transforms a steak into tender deliciousness. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! So happy to hear you love the marinade. We do too! 😉
Making steak tomorrow will use this marinade
This is one I am DEFINITELY going to try!! It’s so hard for me to get steak perfect, you make this look soooo easy!!! A keeper for sure!!
Love the steak marinade, and easy to make.
looks like an amazing marinade. will be trying this for our first steak bbq.