This Balsamic Marinade for Steak has the rich, tangy flavor of balsamic vinegar and when it meets a perfect grilled steak, like flank steak, this marinade takes the meat to another level of flavor. Blending balsamic vinegar, herbs, garlic, and mustard create a juicy flavorful bite that is elegant and elevated.
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Flank steak, is a lean cut that benefits from a good marinade, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat and to tenderize the cut. Balsamic vinegar, with its slightly sweet and robust acidity, works wonders while adding complexity to its taste. Combined with garlic, fresh herbs, whole-grain mustard, and a touch of olive oil, the marinade not only enhances the flavor but also ensures the steak remains juicy during cooking.
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After marinating for two hours, the steak is ready to be grilled or pan-seared to your preferred doneness. The result is a deliciously charred exterior that gives way to tender, flavorful meat.
This balsamic marinated flank steak pairs beautifully with Roasted Heirloom Carrots, Roasted Smashed Potatoes, Grilled Marinated Mushrooms, or a fresh crisp salad like Arugula Salad With Feta, making it an easy yet impressive dinner option.
Whether hosting a weekend barbecue or preparing a weeknight dinner, this recipe is super simple and easy to make ahead. The marinade requires minimal effort, but the results are satisfying, and showcase how simple ingredients can transform a dish into something extraordinary.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy Recipe - This is a simple recipe that comes together quickly and can be used on any cut of meat or chicken.
- Make Ahead - The meat can be marinated for up to 24 hours in advance.
- Prepared in Several Ways - The meat can be grilled, oven-broiled, pan-seared, or even air-fried.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this balsamic vinegar marinade for steak:
Ingredient Notes
- 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.
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Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- 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.
Substitutions
- 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 Marinade For Steak: 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.
Confidence Tip
Make sure you let the steak rest on the counter before cooking so you are not cooking cold steak.
Recipe Tips
While I’ve given measurements in the recipe card, go ahead and just eyeball every ingredient. Precision measurements are not needed.
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.
I am always looking for terrific pairings with meals and this Chicken Caesar Salad is delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Balsamic Marinade For Steak
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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 vinegar. Slightly mix the combination.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and combine.
- Add the olive oil 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
You will really love this recipe!