As someone who loves a great steak but doesn’t have the energy level (or checking account balance) needed to out often, I’m always looking for ways to cheat the system and get maximum flavor for minimum effort. Cue: pre-made steak marinades, of which I tried a whole bunch. What’s the best steak marinade to buy? You’ll just have to read on to find out.
How we tasted the steak marinades
I tested them by, well, using them to marinate a steak—both beef steaks and cauliflower steaks. I’d love to say that this was a selfless act to inform the vegetarians of my favorite flavor shortcuts, but it was also because I knew I was about to eat a whole lot of meat and my swiftly aging body was already crying for fiber.
After marinating and cooking a whole lot of steak according to marinade package instructions (and getting as close as reasonably possible with cauliflower), here are some of the best steak marinades to spice up anything from your summer BBQ to a romantic night in.
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- Bibigo Korean BBQ
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This marinade is like a gymnast who’s doling out compliments mid-routine: incredibly balanced and very sweet. Although it is very sweet (the first ingredient is sugar, which makes a lot of sense), it’s also got a ton of rich, savory flavor (probably from the third ingredient, soy sauce). I wouldn’t pick this as the safe option to please the most people possible, but it’s a high risk, high reward sauce. Those who love powerful flavor and the play between sweet sauce and bitter char will probably be fans. It is a strong flavor that’s certainly not classic American BBQ, which makes sense. It’s Korean. That being said, I ate all of the steak and the cauliflower I used it on, and I have no regrets. If you’re looking for a Korean BBQ experience at home, this is the best steak marinade for the job.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Adolph’s Marinade in Minutes
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If Ron Swanson had to marinade a steak, he’d probably say that marinades are for pansies, and that a great steak only needs salt, pepper, and a side of Lagavulin. But I am not Ron Swanson. I am no steak purist, but I do appreciate a true, clean-tasting steak, and this is a good way to achieve that. The marinade itself tastes a bit like beef bullion, and made the steak steak-ier. Though it didn’t do a ton for the cauliflower, It tenderized the meat and amped up the flavor without distracting with other spices. If you want to simply make your steak taste like more delicious steak, this is the best steak marinade to buy.
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
- Lawry’s Signature Steakhouse
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Do you ever have chili con carne and think, “Great flavor but not enough meat, too much liquid?” Neither have I, because I know what I sign up for when I’m eating chili. But I say this to make the point that this smoky, tomato-forward steak marinade will chili-fy your meat. Having a whole steak that tastes like a bowl of chili might inspire a dining dissonance comparable to sucking on lemons after a fistful of miraculin, but hey, it’s still some of the best marinade for steaks.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- McCormick Brazilian Steakhouse
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I’d wager that this is the most flavor anyone has ever gotten from a 30g package for around $1. It’s sour and citrusy, and brightens the meat without making you feel like you got punched in the back of the mouth. It’s tingly but not spicy, and the little coarse, crunchy bits of seasoning add great texture. You do have to add water, vinegar, and oil to make it into the marinade as McCormick intended, but it’s worth the extra couple steps. McCormick actually offers the idea to substitute lime juice for vinegar when mixing—I didn’t personally try it, but it’s probably delicious. Want to stock your pantry with shelf-stable marinade mix? This is the best steak marinade to buy.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Wegman’s Steakhouse Peppercorn
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I wrote “YES” so emphatically in my notes that I had to go back and retry the marinade, only to conclude that I was correct and that I am incredibly smart. Yeah, this marinade is the best marinade for steak. It’s pretty darn delicious. It’s strong and savory enough to stand up to the steak, while also complementing the cauliflower. With a good balance of flavor, salt, and acid, it’s deep and full of umami but still has a sweetness and sourness that has had me putting it on everything since getting it. I’ve honestly been using it as a salad dressing for a week and am finally eating my veggies. Yes, you have to live near a Wegman’s to secure this bottle. But it’s practically worth relocating—it truly is one of the best steak marinades ever made.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
Best Big Flavor
Best for Extra Steaky Steak
Best Smoky
Best Dry Mix
Best of the Best
Other steak marinades we tried: Lawry’s Steak and Chop, Badia Sazon Tropical Wegman’s Spiedie, McCormick Brown Sugar Bourbon
You need to give Daddy Hinkles a try.