3 Ingredient Steak Marinade

All you need is beer, soy sauce and brown sugar to whip up this 3 Ingredient Steak Marinade!  It’s got great flavor with the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness.  Try this the next time you’re grilling steaks and you’ll be glad you did!!

Why I Love this Simple Steak Marinade Recipe

• It’s SIMPLE.  But you already knew that when you read “3 Ingredient!” 😉
• It’s versatile.  You can use this with about any cut of steak.  Try it on Sirloin Steak, New York Strip, Flank Steak, Skirt Steak, etc.!
• I’ve almost always got the ingredients on hand.
• A marinated steak is delicious for a quick weeknight meal, but fancy enough for special occasions.

​The Three Ingredients

1. Beer – Play around with different beers to change up the flavor.
2. Soy Sauce – Feel free to use regular or low sodium soy sauce, coconut aminos or tamari sauce instead.
3. Brown Sugar – You can also opt to use honey instead if you wish.

I like to add a sprinkle of ground ginger to give it some warmth, but it’s totally optional.

What is the Basic Marinade Formula?

The three basic elements of most steak marinades are acidity, oil, and flavorings. These elements work together to tenderize the meat, add moisture, and enhance the flavor of the steak.  However, the marinade I’m sharing today today is a little different because of the addition of beer!  Let’s chat about that….

​Using Beer in a Steak Marinade

Beer makes an excellent steak marinade and is a popular choice for many grill enthusiasts and chefs. Beer adds a unique depth of flavor to the meat and can impart subtle hints of malt, hops, and other beer characteristics. 

The acidity in beer also contributes to the tenderizing process, as it contains some level of carbonic acid resulting from the fermentation process. Additionally, beer’s carbonation can create tiny bubbles that can work their way into the meat, further enhancing its tenderness.

​Other Marinade Additions

I love how versatile and customizable a good marinade is.  There are so many different ways to make a marinade you own!  I like to add a little ground ginger, but if you choose not to, here are a few other ideas…

• Add fresh or dried herbs
• Add fresh garlic or shallots
• Add freshly cracked black pepper
• Add red pepper flakes
• Add some Italian seasoning
• Use 1/2 soy sauce and 1/2 Worcestershire sauce
• Add a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice or lime juice
• Add 1/4 cup of olive oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil (be sure to whisk this in well before adding meat)

How to Marinate A Steak

Using a great marinade is an easy way to turn a good steak into an extra delicious steak!  I find it easiest to mix the marinade ingredients in a large resealable baggie (no dishes!) and then add the steak to the bag.  Remove as much air as possible and let it marinate in the fridge. 

How Long Should I Marinate the Steak?

With any marinade, it’s important that you do not let it set in the marinade for too little or too much time.  For this recipe, I recommend marinating for one to four hours, depending on the thickness of the steak.  Be sure to discard the excess marinade as it’s been in contact with the raw meat.

Ways to Cook a Steak

There are several methods of cooking a steak!  

1. Grilling: Grilling is, of course, a classic way (and my personal favorite way!)  to cook a steak.  I recommend grilling over high heat and placing the steaks directly on a clean grate.  
2. Pan-Searing in a Cast-Iron Skillet: This is a great way to cook steak, especially when the weather isn’t idea for grilling.  Sear each side for a few minutes to get a nice crust, then finish in the oven if needed.
3. Broiling: Preheat the broiler in your oven and place the steak on a broiler pan or a wire rack over a baking sheet. Cook each side for a few minutes under the broiler until it reaches your desired doneness.
4. Air Fryer:  Have you ever tried cooking steak in the air fryer? This cooking method is a nice way to prepare a steak, especially if you’re just cooking for one or two.
5. Smoking: Smoking a steak infuses it an additional layer of flavor.  Though it can add nice flavor, it’s more common to be used with large cuts of meat such as a roast rather than a steak.

How to Store Leftover Steak

First, let it cool down to room temperature. Once the steak has cooled, place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.  It’ll stay good for 3-5 days.

Reheat properly for food safety reasons.  Though it might not be quite as tender the second time around, you’ll want to reheat thoroughly in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven.

Tips & Tricks for Deliciously Juicy Steak

Use an instant read meat thermometer to achieve your desired level of doneness because each different cut of meat will need different cooking times.  The following are internal temperatures for various levels of doneness:

• Rare: 125°F (52°C)
• Medium Rare: 135°F (57°C)
• Medium: 145°F (63°C)
• Medium Well: 155°F (68°C)
• Well Done: 160°F (71°C) and above

Have you ever heard of a Meater?  It’s a really great way to cook meat to the exact temperature without keeping an eye on it every second!

Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes after cooking before slicing and serving. Resting helps the juices redistribute within the meat, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful steak.

Slice the steak against the grain to make the meat more tender and easier to chew. The grain of the meat refers to the direction of the muscle fibers. Slicing against the grain means cutting perpendicular to these fibers, making it feel more tender and juicy!

What to Serve with Steak

Though the steak is sure to be the star of the show, a couple simple sides is a nice way to round out the meal. Crispy roasted sweet potatoes, and easy macaroni salad and a crisp green salad are all great options!