This Balsamic Steak Marinade is one of those recipes I rely on all summer long. With balsamic vinegar, garlic, mustard, and fresh rosemary, it creates a rich, savory crust and keeps the steak tender and flavorful. If you love bold Mediterranean flavors in your beef, you might also enjoy my Greek Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, another recipe that layers herbs and acidity for deep, satisfying flavor.
Balsamic Marinade At A Glance
- ⏱ Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (15 min prep + 2 hrs marinate)
- 🍽 Servings: 8
- 🇺🇸 Cuisine Type: American / Italian
- 🥩 Flavor Profile: Bold and tangy with balsamic vinegar, garlic, mustard, and herbs, balanced by rich olive oil for tender, flavorful steak
- 🥗 Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free
- 🥡 Storage Notes: Store cooked steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The marinade can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 week. Marinated steak can be frozen and thawed in the refrigerator before cooking
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: A quick, no-fuss marinade that comes together in minutes and works with almost any cut of steak. Perfect for grilling season, busy weeknights, or easy entertaining
If you're building a full Mediterranean-inspired dinner around this steak, keep it simple and let the flavors shine. I love serving it with my Mediterranean Green Beans for something classic and tomato-forward, or pairing it with these Roasted Heirloom Carrots for a slightly sweet contrast. If you want something fresh and herb-packed, this Zesty Quinoa Salad adds brightness and texture without overpowering the steak.
Jump to:
And if you're the type who believes no grilled dinner is complete without a great sauce, you're in good company. A spoonful of Chimichurri Sauce adds a fresh, garlicky finish, while my creamy Lemon Yogurt Sauce brings balance and tang. For something more substantial, this steak is also wonderful alongside my Italian White Bean Salad, which makes the whole plate feel like a relaxed Mediterranean feast.
Key Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this balsamic vinegar marinade for steak:
- Whole-Grain Mustard - My favorite brand is Maille and it can easily be found in most grocery stores. If you cannot find it, you can substitute any Dijon mustard in it's place; however, using whole-grain mustard also adds texture to the marinade.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Do You Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Sweet Thyme
Variations
- Sweet - If you want to sweeten the marinade, add 1 teaspoon of honey or some brown sugar.
- Spicy - Add red pepper flakes to spice this marinade.
- Dried Herbs - This recipe uses fresh rosemary, which I highly recommend. If you can't find fresh rosemary use one teaspoon of dried rosemary.
- Salt - You can substitute one teaspoon of soy sauce for the salt to add more depth of flavor.
How To Make Balsamic Steak Marinade: Step-By-Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are on the printable recipe card:
Step 1: Lightly chop the rosemary leaves and add them to a bowl with the oregano. Thinly slice the garlic cloves and add them to the bowl.
Step 2: Add the mustard and the vinegar. Slightly mix the combination. Add the balsamic vinegar and combine. Add the olive oil and whisk until fully incorporated.
Step 3: Marinate the steak for at least two hours in the refrigerator.
Step 4: Take the steak out of the refrigerator and rest for 15 minutes before cooking or grilling to your desired doneness.
Gwen's Pro Tip
Make sure you let the steak rest on the counter before cooking so you are not cooking cold steak.
What Cuts Of Beef Work With This Steak Marinade Sauce?
Any cut of meat that has nice marbling works well in a marinade. Feel free to experiment!
While they don't necessarily NEED to be marinated, ribeye, New York strip, flat iron, hangar steak, and tenderloin all work well in this balsamic steak marinade.
Other ways to use This Marinade
- Grilled Vegetables - Give your favorite veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, onions and mushrooms a quick marinade before grilling.
- Chicken and Pork - While it's called a "steak marinade," the balsamic flavor here works just as well with chicken or pork chops, too.
- Salad Dressing - This marinade is also a delicious salad dressing! Serve it over arugula or mixed greens.
Balsamic Steak Marinade FAQ's
While it is safe to marinate a steak up to 24 hours, marinating longer than that will start to break down the proteins.
Balsamic vinegar is a good marinade for red meats because it tenderizes the steak. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down some of the protein and fat in the beef, which makes it softer. The balsamic vinegar also adds sweetness while tenderizing, without adding sugar.
Other Delicious Dinners
Let me know your thoughts on this Balsamic Marinade For Steak by leaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Thank you!
Gwen
5-Minutes Balsamic Steak Marinade
Do You Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Sweet Thyme
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 flank steak about 3 pounds
Instructions
- Lightly chop the rosemary leaves and add them to a bowl with the oregano.
- Thinly slice the garlic cloves and add them to the bowl.
- Add the mustard and the balsamic vinegar to the bowl. Slightly mix all the ingredients.
- Add the olive oil slowly and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Marinate the meat for a minimum of two hours and up to 24 hours.
- Grill, broil, or pan-sear the meat until you have reached your desired doneness.
Gwen Wolken says
You will really love this recipe!