Steak marinades are store bought and chefs actually use them for grilling and flavoring.
A great steak doesn’t require much, but the right marinade or dip can take it to the next level. Whether you’re cooking weeknight dinners or having a backyard barbecue, these chef-approved options deliver bold flavor and save time. Eat this, not that! The chefs were asked which store-bought steak products they actually use, and they differed.
How chefs choose steak dishes
There are many bottled marinades and dry rubs on store shelves, but not all of them are worth buying. “Good marinades should support the beef, not dominate it,” he says Jorge Thomaschef and founder Swaledale Butchers. “If all you taste is sugar, smoke flavor, or flavor, you’re missing the point. The beef should still be the main event. When creating flavor, Chef Jordan CarfagnoExecutive chef at McCormicksays that balance is important. “A great marinade has three essential ingredients: oil, acid and flavor,” he explains. “I start by choosing a basic flavor profile, then choose the right oil and acidity to complement it.” He adds: “For Mediterranean marinades, oregano, garlic and parsley form the base, while lemon juice provides acidity and olive oil provides richness.”
Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse Marinade
For a rich, buttery flavor that works in multiple cuts, some chefs turn to them Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse Marinade. “It adds flavor without completely masking the steak,” says Thomas. “I’m more likely to use something like this on a skirt steak, sirloin steak, or other grilled cut than an aged ribeye.”
Barbecue oil with beer
If you prefer dry to marinade, Andy LisnoffChef de Cuisine at Cuisine Solutions, recommends Spiceology. “For rubs, I really like the Spiceology brand,” she says. “They offer a wide range of blends as well as individual herbs and spices. I find they have a good balance of what I’m looking for.” His top pick is the Beer Infused BBQ Rub brand, which he created in collaboration with King of the hill. “I like the combination of them being partners King of the hill. It has a name BBQ oil with beerWhile this particular blend is only available through the Spiceology website, Lisnoff notes that many of the brand’s other spice blends can be found at retailers such as BJ’s, Walmart, Ace Hardware and Costco.
Original Allegro Marinades
For a classic and flavorful marinade that complements a wide range of steak cuts, Chef Nicholas BitovChef de Cuisine Solutions, keeps recommending Original Allegro Marinades in hand “Allegro Original Marinade is my favorite,” he says. “I tend to prefer garlic marinades or something with a bit of acid for a tougher cut.”
A quick marinade trick
In a short time, but still want maximum flavor? Chefs say it doesn’t take hours to get a well-marinated steak – just the right technique. “I’m also a big fan of the 5-minute massage technique,” says Chef Jordan. “This method cuts your marinating time by hours. Just place your meat and marinade in a resealable bag, push out the air, seal, and give the meat a firm 5-minute massage—it has the same flavor effect as marinating in the refrigerator for 4+ hours.” He explains that he likes to save a few tablespoons of the marinade before adding the steak to the bag. “Before grilling, quickly massage the meat in the bag with the marinade for 5 minutes. I’ve found this method works just as well as marinating for hours.” To finish, he uses the reserved marinade after cooking. “This adds a final layer of flavor as the steak comes off the grill and rests. That’s when I toss in the reserved marinade for a final savory, flavorful finish.”
Heather Newgen
Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather is now freelance in several publications. Read more about Heather
