19 Marinades That Will Up Your Steak Game

Marinades are wonderful things. They have the ability to transform lower-quality cuts of meat into tasty bites full of flavor. If you don't want to fork over the cash needed to buy the more expensive cuts of steak, like filet mignon and rib-eye, go instead for more economical choices like skirt steak and sirloin. With the help of a good marinade and careful cooking, you will soon be plating up a delicious dish that will taste like a million dollars.

A marinade can be treated like a salad dressing, whipped up in a flash by mixing your favorite pantry staples into a delicious flavor-boosting combination. If you aren't sure where to begin, never fear! We have 19 great recipes that can act as brilliant starting points for you marinating needs.

From Asian marinades full of sesame oil to Mexican preparations that make great use of dried chiles, you can travel the globe depending on what spices you choose to use. So if you are in a cooking rut, don't worry — look through these marvelous marinades and inject some serious flavor into your next steak dinner!

Asian Steak Marinade

This basic Asian marinade is great for steak but would also be delicious on different cuts of beef as well as fish or chicken.

For the Asian Steak Marinade recipe, click here.

Beer-Marinated Bison New York Strip Steaks

Who doesn't love cooking with beer? Lime juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and ginger are among the aromatic flavors used in this marinade, which will add maximum flavor to any steak.

For the Beer-Marinated Bison New York Strip Steaks recipe, click here.

Bison NY Strip Steak

The Tabasco used in this marinade adds a nice kick to a lovely cut of steak.

For the Bison NY Strip Steak recipe, click here.

Calafia Marinade

This marinade is healthy without lacking in flavor and can be used on your favorite protein.

For the Calafia Marinade recipe, click here.

Cedar Grilled Flat Iron Steaks With Coffee Rub

A sweet and spicy coffee rub complements steaks wonderfully. Cook these over a hot grill for a wonderful punch of flavor.

For the Cedar Grilled Flat Iron Steaks With Coffee Rub recipe, click here.

Coca-Cola Carne Asada

Serve this delicious steak (sliced thin) with warm tortillas, salsa, lime juice, avocado, red onion, queso fresco, or any other toppings you desire!

For the Coca-Cola Carne Asada recipe, click here.

Coffee-Marinated Bison Short Ribs

This marinade is wonderful with short ribs, but can easily be used on your favorite cut of steak. If you are only using the marinade, simply omit the braising stage of the recipe.

For the Coffee-Marinated Bison Short Ribs recipe, click here.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que's Korean Marinade

Teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar come together in this tasty Asian marinade that is perfect for any chicken, pork, or steak dish you wish to make.

For the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que's Korean Marinade recipe, click here.

Grilled Adobo-Marinated Skirt Steak

This marinade uses toasted, dried chiles, distilled vinegar, and many more intense and delicious flavors to make your steak mouthwateringly full of flavor.

For the Grilled Adobo-Marinated Skirt Steak recipe, click here.

Grilled Mango and Marinated Sirloin Kebabs

Grilled mango perfectly complements the pineapple ginger marinade in this sweet and savory dish.

For the Grilled Mango and Marinated Sirloin Kebabs recipe, click here.

Grilled Skirt Steak With Chimichurri

This steak is rubbed with cumin, garlic and lime, grilled and served with a flavor-packed chimichurri sauce. Divine!

For the Grilled Skirt Steak With Chimichurri recipe, click here.

Kalbi Marinade for Beef Rib

This marinade represents all of the basic flavors of Asian cuisine and is a great way to add flavor to any type of meat.

For the Kalbi Marinade for Beef Rib recipe, click here.

Honey Soy Grilled Skirt Steak

Use this marinade to transform lower-cost cuts like skirt steak into something luxurious that will be melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

For the Honey Soy Grilled Skirt Steak recipe, click here.

Mongolian Skirt Steak

Sesame oil, demerara sugar, and soy sauce are the main ingredients in this marinade. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients but delivers a flavor that is far from boring.

For the Mongolian Skirt Steak recipe, click here.

Red Wine Roast

This prime rib is marinated in a sweet red wine mixture that helps break down the muscles in the meat to make it extra tender.

For the Red Wine Roast recipe, click here.

Salt-and-Pepper Rib-Eye

Sometimes a beautiful steak needs nothing more than salt and pepper to bring out the best flavor. This recipe will tell you how to cook a gorgeous rib-eye to perfection.

For the Salt-and-Pepper Rib-Eye recipe, click here.

Spring Salad With Marinated Skirt Steak Recipe

Marinate the steak in advance and then, when you're ready to eat, simply cook one thing and assemble the rest for a delicious light but satisfying meal.

For the Spring Salad With Marinated Skirt Steak recipe, click here.

Steak Fajitas

To make you own sizzling fajitas, just marinate your steak in garlic, cumin, dried oregano, salt, and lime juice for at least an hour — a relatively fast marinade if you don't have time to let it sit overnight.

For the Steak Fajitas recipe, click here.

Veal Chop Brine From BLT Steak

A brine is enough like a marinade to be included in this roundup. Like marinades, brines can impart some great flavor from ingredients like sugar and salt. As well as flavor, brines also ensure the meat doesn't dry out while it is being cooked, which is a great tip to remember if you want to know how to cook the perfect steak.

For the Veal Chop Brine From BLT Steak recipe, click here.

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