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There’s something about the weekend that just calls for firing up the grill. After a long week, we all want meals that feel special without taking hours in the kitchen. That’s where putting together a simple steak marinade makes all the difference. With just a handful of ingredients and a little prep time, you can create restaurant-quality flavor right at home and we’re going to show you how to do that in this article.

Designed to fit right into your schedule, these easy BBQ steak recipes are perfect for hosting friends, a quiet evening with the family, or enjoying a hearty meal right after a busy week.

This image shows all the ingredients needed for the easy smokey steak marinate recipe below.

Why People Love Marinated Steak on the Grill

Grilling steak with a marinade does more than add flavor, it helps tenderize the meat, locks in juiciness, and brings out that irresistible smoky char. The beauty of a good marinade is that it works while you relax. A few minutes of prep in the morning (or the night before) means your steak is infused with flavor by the time you’re ready to grill.

For us, marinated steaks are a go-to when we don’t want to overthink dinner. A quick sear on the grill is all it takes, and the result is a juicy, flavorful steak that feels like a treat every single time.

When These Recipes Work Best

Busy Evenings: When you need dinner fast without sacrificing flavor.
Weekend Cookouts: Easy enough for a casual backyard BBQ but impressive enough for guests.
Date Nights at Home: A juicy steak with the right marinade instantly sets the mood.

Our Experience With These BBQ Recipes

We cooked and prepared these marinades to help guide you with yours. Our classic first choice is a simple marinade that’s made to bring out the natural flavours of the steak while making it juicy and smoky at the same time. Below you can read the tools, ingredients and instructions on how to make yours, as well as our images on how we got on.

Smokey Marinade Steak: For A Busy Evening - Recipe

Ivana

If you're craving steak but you don't have much time to cook, this recipe is a must try. This classic steak recipe uses simple ingredients and takes a short time to prepare. The combination brings out the steak’s natural flavor, with a juicy and smoky finish that’s perfect for busy nights.

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Print Recipe

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 6

Rest 10

Total Time 1 16

Course Main Course

Servings person

Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

1 Grill or stovetop with frying pan / grill pan
1 Tongs
1 Meat thermometer
1 Aluminum foil for resting
1 Mixing bowl + whisk/spoon for marinade

Ingredients

4-5 steaks about 250 g each
⅓ cup soy sauce
½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup lemon juice
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp garlic minced
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper flakes

Instructions

Mix all the marinade ingredients until fully combined.
Put the steak in a bowl and add the marinade sauce. Leave it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the grill or pan.
Grill the marinated meat at a temperature of 240-250°C for 2-3 minutes per side.
Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes, and the steak will be ready to eat.

Notes

Serving Suggestion
- Serve the steak with sauteed vegetables and French fries or mashed potatoes.
- Add steak sauce to make your steak more flavorful.

Pro Tip & Common Mistakes
- Although marinating meat only needs a minimum of 1 hour, it is better to marinate it for a longer time (up to 8 hours) to increase the meat tenderness and allow the flavor to penetrate evenly. You can marinate the steak in the morning to cook at night.
- Do not marinate the meat for over 24 hours. It can lead to meat texture degradation.
- Marinating the meat should be done in cold temperatures in the refrigerator. Marinating meat using higher or uncontrolled temperatures can lead to pathogenic microbial growth and increase the risk of food poisoning.

Great work! You've created a tasteful and delicious steak in just a few steps. Make sure to save this recipe for another busy day when you want a steak in the future.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcal

Our smokey marinade steak was delicious with a unique taste, however as you may be able to see from the images ours was a little over done which made the steak have a tougher texture.

Our next easy steak recipe is inspired by those who enjoy something a little sweet and spicy. This Sweet and Spicy Marinade Steak is all about balance, the warmth of chili sauce and flakes meets the sweetness of brown sugar, creating a flavor that’s bold without being overwhelming. To read the full walkthrough make sure to check our article Sweet and Spicy Marinade Steak Recipe here.

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