Adding Worcestershire sauce to your steak marinade is the key to achieving tender, juicy results, even with cheaper cuts, according to cooking expert Karli Bitner, creator of Cooking with Karli.
Bitner says that using a liberal amount of Worcestershire sauce is essential for obtaining that ideal melt-in-your-mouth texture and improved flavour. The sauce forms the primary ingredient in her preferred steak marinade recipe, which is "guaranteed to leave your steak juicy, flavourful and tender".
Why Worcestershire sauce works
The finest steaks are so tender and succulent you can slice them with a butter knife, and one of the "best ways to tenderise a piece of meat" is through acidity. The recipe employs Worcestershire sauce to break down the meat and allow all the other flavours to penetrate. Bitner observed that this staple ingredient "makes even cheaper cuts incredibly tender, juicy and flavourful".
Bitner urged: "Don't skip this ingredient! It helps tenderise the meat, and there is just something about Worcestershire sauce that brings out the yummy beefiness of a steak."
Other marinade ingredients
While Worcestershire sauce forms the foundation of the recipe, Bitner incorporates several additional components. Lemon juice introduces an extra layer of acidity to the steak. Oil is an essential element, though it's important to select one that can withstand the intense heat of the hob, so opt for an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil.
The remaining ingredients consist of soy sauce, garlic powder, parsley flakes, and salt and pepper.
How to make steak tastier and juicier
Ingredients:
- Steak of choice
- One quarter cup of lemon juice
- Half a cup of oil
- One quarter cup of soy sauce
- One quarter cup of Worcestershire sauce
- Half a teaspoon of salt
- Half a teaspoon of pepper
- One tablespoon of garlic powder
- One tablespoon of parsley flakes
Method:
In a large zip-lock bag, combine the lemon juice, oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley flakes. Seal the bag and give it a good shake to blend the ingredients together.
Place the steaks into the bag and seal it, squeezing out as much air as possible. Ensure the steaks are thoroughly coated by moving them around in the marinade. Allow the steaks to marinate for a minimum of two hours, or ideally overnight. The longer the marinating time, the more tender and flavoursome the steaks will become. That said, even a few hours will yield excellent results.
To cook the steaks, bring your pan to a high heat and sear each side for three minutes before reducing to a medium heat. Continue cooking your steak until it reaches your desired level of doneness. For medium-rare, aim for one to two minutes; for medium, two to four minutes; and for well-done, allow four to six minutes.
Finally, leave the steaks to rest for five to 10 minutes prior to serving. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat, as slicing into it too soon will cause the moisture to escape, resulting in a tough and dry steak.
