Bourbon Steak Marinade

Prep: 240 min Cuisine: American

A rich, smoky marinade featuring bourbon and soy sauce, perfect for grilling steaks with a sweet and savory flavor profile that appeals to meat lovers.

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Ingredients

  • 1 c. bourbon
  • 1 c. soy sauce
  • 1/2 lb. brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 small yellow onion

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Add steaks to the marinade and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, turning once.
  3. Grill the marinated steaks until cooked to your desired level.

Tips & Substitutions

For a deeper flavor, let the steak marinate overnight. If you're looking for a sweeter touch, consider using honey instead of brown sugar. You can also experiment with adding spices like black pepper or crushed red pepper for some heat. If you don't have bourbon, whiskey or a similar spirit can work as a substitute.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the bourbon-marinated steak with sides like roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty meal. It pairs beautifully with Cran-Apple Salad for a refreshing contrast. For a complete barbecue experience, consider serving it with some Mt. Dew Punch for a fun drink option.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you've grilled extra steak, keep it in the fridge wrapped in foil or in a container. To reheat, gently warm the steak in a skillet over low heat to maintain tenderness, or slice and toss it into a salad for a quick meal.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Bourbon Steak Marinade contains roughly 347 calories, with 5g protein, 74g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is a good source of protein (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2216mg per serving (96% of the Daily Value).

347 kcal 17% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 4.8g 10% DV
Total Fat 4.4g 6% DV
Carbs 74.4g 27% DV
Fiber 1.3g 5% DV
Sugar 58.5g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2216.5mg 96% DV
Potassium 346.3mg 7% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 3.3mcg
Vitamin C 2.3mg 3% DV
Vitamin D 0.1mcg
Calcium 70.6mg 5% DV
Iron 1.4mg 8% DV
Diet fit Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Soy

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken or pork instead of steak for this marinade?

Yes, this bourbon marinade works well with chicken and pork too! Just adjust the marinating time: chicken can marinate for 2-4 hours, while pork should be marinated for 4-6 hours to absorb the flavors adequately.

Is it necessary to grill the steak, or can it be cooked another way?

While grilling is recommended for the best flavor and char, you can also pan-sear or broil the steak. Just ensure the cooking time is adjusted based on the thickness of the meat to achieve your desired doneness.

What type of steak is best to use with this marinade?

Cuts like ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak are excellent choices for this marinade. They absorb the flavors well and have a good balance of tenderness and fat, resulting in a deliciously juicy steak.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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