For a quick steak tip marinade, I start by mixing together soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, and black pepper in a bowl.

Next, I place the steak tips in a dish and pour the marinade over them. After covering the dish, I let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

When it's time to cook, I take the steak tips out of the marinade and discard any extra liquid. Finally, I grill or pan-sear the steak tips to my liking. Quick and easy!

Juicy Cut of Steak on a Plate

πŸ₯© Marinating Steak Tips

To marinate meat quickly, you can try a few techniques:

  1. Pounding: Tenderize the meat by pounding it with a meat mallet or the back of a heavy skillet. This helps the marinade penetrate faster.
  2. Cutting: Slice the meat into thinner pieces or smaller chunks. This increases the surface area and allows the marinade to soak in more quickly.
  3. Piercing: Use a fork to poke holes all over the meat. This creates channels for the marinade to seep into.
  4. Heating: Warm up the marinade ingredients (excluding any acidic components like citrus juice or vinegar) before pouring them over the meat. The heat helps the flavors infuse more rapidly.
  5. Vacuum sealing: If you have a vacuum sealer, use it to remove air from the marinating container or bag. This helps the marinade cling to the meat more effectively.

βŒ› 30 Minutes or More?

Marinated Steak Tips Ready for the Grill

In my experience, marinating meat for just 30 minutes can add a bit of flavor, but it's not ideal for deep penetration.

I usually aim for at least 1-2 hours, or overnight if possible, to really let the flavors soak in.

If I'm short on time, I'll use techniques like mallet tenderizing the meat to help the marinade work faster because even a short marinating time can still improve the taste of the steak tips.

πŸ†’ Refrigerate and Avoid Tinfoil

Perfectly Marinated Steak Tips

Absolutely, always refrigerate meat while marinating. Think food safety, refrigeration prevents bacteria from multiplying rapidly and keeps the meat safe to eat.

Leaving meat out at room temperature during marination can lead to potential health risks, so play it safe and keep it chilled in the fridge.

Avoid tinfoil, acidic ingredients in the marinade can react with the foil, potentially causing off flavors or discoloration in the food.

Instead, use a glass, ceramic, or plastic container with a lid, or a resealable plastic bag to marinate the meat. I prefer bags and vaccuum seal them but that's optional.

πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Steak Marinade Tips

Marinated and Grilled Steak Tip Dinner with a Side of Corn
  1. Refrigeration for Safety:
    • Always marinate your steak tips in the fridge to inhibit bacterial growth. Cover the meat securely with plastic wrap or place it in a sealed container for an even infusion of flavors.
  2. Bring to Room Temperature:
    • Allow the marinated steak to reach room temperature for about 30 minutes before grilling. This ensures even cooking and a beautifully seared exterior.
  3. Pat Dry, Don't Rinse:
    • Prior to grilling, pat the steak dry to retain the concentrated flavors of the marinade. Avoid rinsing, as this washes away the carefully crafted taste.