Marinades
Soak up the flavor.
The right marinade enhances the steak's natural flavors, and with the proper ingredients it can serve as a tenderizer. Marinades are a combination of basic liquids like wine, oil or vegetable juices and a blend of herbs and spices. But no matter what you throw in the mix, every marinade needs two ingredients: an acid and an emulsifier. Nerdy stuff, but it matters. Here's why:
Acid: The acid ingredient can be anything from alcohol to citrus juice. This breaks down connective tissue and increases tenderness.
Emulsifier: The emulsifier is typically oil, used to carry seasonings deeper into the meat.
How long do you marinate?
For simply adding flavor, marinate anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours. For tenderization, it's a slightly bigger commitment. The beef must marinate for at least six hours.
For best results, rotate meat as it marinates and be sure to bring the steaks back to room temperature before placing them on the grill or they won't cook evenly. Allow 1/4 to 1/2 cup marinade for each 1 to 2 lbs of beef.
