When juicy and tender, there’s nothing better than a homecooked steak. Unfortunately, they are so easy to overcook. A perfectly prepared and seared steak is easier said than done, but that doesn’t mean you have to go an expensive restaurant.
With so many ways to prepare steak, there’s one marinade ingredient you may not have come across before — balsamic vinegar. Writing on her culinary blog, Foxes Love Lemons, Lori suggests utilising the acidity of vinegar to tenderise steaks with a result she promises is “so so good”.
Gushing about this marinade, Lori shared that she grew up eating steak that had been marinated in a bottle of Italian salad dressing.
If you’re feeling sceptical, the food blogger claims the inherent acidity of balsamic vinegar helps tenderise the meat, thus ensuring your steak becomes “super succulent and tender”.
She added: “The flavour of the vinegar will also add complexity and a touch of sweetness, enhancing the flavour of the steak. Just a quarter cup of this pungent vinegar adds a ton of flavour.”
The balsamic vinegar marinade takes just 10 minutes and uses everyday cupboard items.
Balsamic vinegar marinated steaks
Ingredients (serves six)
- Three garlic cloves
- Half a cup of olive oil
- One quarter cup of balsamic vinegar
- One quarter cup of soy sauce
- Two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- Two tablespoons of light brown sugar
- One tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- Half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes
Method
Begin by combining all components in a medium bowl, whisking them until smooth. This should produce approximately one to one and a half cups of marinade, which is enough for about 500g to 700g of meat.
Place the steak in a shallow baking dish or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it.
Ensure to cover and refrigerate for at least four hours, turning once if possible.
Lori advised: “It’s best to marinate steak for at least four hours so that the flavours can start to soak into the meat, and the acidity in the balsamic vinegar steak marinade can tenderise the steak.”
For a more intense flavour, you might want to consider marinating overnight. However, avoid marinating for more than 24 hours if possible.
Never exceed an overnight marination, as the acid in this balsamic steak marinade recipe will begin to “cook” the beef, resulting in a slightly tough steak once you fry or grill it.