Perfectly Marinated NY Strip Steak: An Easy & Flavorful Grilling Recipe for Carnivores and Families

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in routines, sometimes inadvertently neglecting certain culinary preferences within the household. For me, that often means ensuring my husband, a devoted carnivore, gets his fair share of a truly satisfying steak. While my own palate has evolved, I recognize and appreciate the profound joy a perfectly cooked steak brings to many, and it’s a dish that genuinely unites people around the dinner table.

My husband’s love for steak is undeniable, a sentiment I’m sure resonates with many of you. Personally, while I don’t harbor an intense passion for steak, I hold absolutely nothing against it. My childhood meals didn’t feature it very often, so my appreciation for a truly “good” steak developed later in life. In fact, I distinctly remember my first memorable steak experience coinciding with dating my husband – a glorious introduction to filet mignon that forever changed my perception of what steak could be. It was a revelation of tenderness, flavor, and culinary delight.

Thinking back to my formative years, whenever my mom did prepare steak, her secret weapon was always a homemade Italian dressing marinade. I vividly recall the vibrant, zesty flavor it imparted to the meat, making each bite incredibly enjoyable. Even as a child, I genuinely liked it, though my adult palate has now gravitated towards a medium doneness for steak, a stark contrast to the well-done preference from my childhood household – a preference likely rooted in a pervasive fear of undercooked meat common in many homes of that era. This nostalgic inspiration became the foundation for developing my own simple yet incredibly effective marinade.

Crafting the Perfect Marinade: Simple Ingredients, Profound Flavor

My go-to marinade is wonderfully basic, built upon a foundation of kitchen staples that collectively create an explosion of flavor and tenderness. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability, allowing you to achieve fantastic results without overly complicated steps or exotic ingredients. It features high-quality olive oil, rich red wine vinegar, aromatic dried oregano and thyme, pungent crushed garlic cloves, a hint of onion powder, and, of course, essential salt and freshly ground pepper. Initially, I approached the measurements with a casual “eyeball it” method, which works beautifully for experienced cooks, but I’ve since refined it into a clear recipe for consistent success.

The Science Behind the Flavor: Why These Ingredients Work

Each component of this marinade plays a crucial role in transforming an ordinary steak into an extraordinary culinary experience. The olive oil acts as a wonderful carrier for the fat-soluble flavors, ensuring they penetrate the meat while also contributing to a beautiful sear and preventing sticking during cooking. Its richness complements the other ingredients perfectly.

The red wine vinegar is a true workhorse here. Its acidity is key for tenderizing the tougher fibers of the steak, resulting in a more succulent bite. Beyond tenderization, it imparts a delightful tangy zest that brightens the overall flavor profile, cutting through the richness of the meat and adding a sophisticated depth. For this recipe, I often reach for Holland House Red Wine Vinegar for its consistent quality and balanced flavor.

Dried oregano and thyme contribute an earthy, herbaceous aroma that instantly elevates the marinade. These classic Mediterranean herbs infuse the steak with warm, savory notes, creating a comforting yet elegant taste. The combination of these two herbs creates a harmonious blend that is both robust and subtle.

Freshly crushed garlic cloves and a touch of onion powder are essential for building a savory base. Garlic provides a pungent, aromatic kick, while onion powder offers a milder, more rounded onion flavor that permeates the meat evenly. Together, they create an umami richness that makes the steak incredibly addictive.

Finally, a generous pinch of coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper are non-negotiable. Salt is not only a seasoning but also aids in drawing out moisture and creating a flavorful crust. Pepper adds a touch of warmth and gentle spice, rounding out the marinade’s complex profile. When combined, these ingredients create a robust and dynamic flavor bomb that deeply penetrates the steak, promising a delicious outcome with every bite.

The Art of Marinating: Time and Technique for Optimal Results

To prepare the marinade, I simply whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. The beauty of this process is its simplicity. Once the marinade is ready, I transfer it along with two beautiful NY strip steaks into a large zip-top bag. This method ensures maximum contact between the marinade and the meat, and it makes cleanup a breeze. After sealing the bag, I gently massage the marinade into the steaks for about a minute, ensuring every surface is coated. This helps the flavors to really soak into the meat fibers. While a minimum of one hour in the refrigerator is sufficient to allow those good flavors to begin their magic, for a truly profound infusion of taste and tenderness, don’t hesitate to marinate your steaks overnight. The longer the marinating time, the deeper and more complex the flavor will become, yielding incredibly tender and succulent results.

From Marinade to Masterpiece: Grilling, Broiling, or Pan-Searing Your Steak

While we typically fire up the grill for these steaks, embracing the smoky char and beautiful grill marks, this versatile marinade is equally fantastic for other cooking methods. Whether you prefer the intense heat of a broiler or the sizzling sear of a cast iron skillet, your marinated steaks will turn out beautifully. You could even combine methods, starting with a searing crust in a skillet and finishing in the oven or under the broiler for larger, thicker cuts.

For grilling, ensure your grill grates are clean and preheated to a medium-high temperature. This allows for a great sear and those coveted grill marks. Cook your steaks for a few minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness, flipping only once or twice to build a crust. For broiling, position your oven rack about 4-6 inches from the heat source and preheat the broiler. Cook for a similar duration, flipping halfway through. If using a cast iron skillet, heat it over medium-high heat until it’s smoking slightly, then add a touch of high-smoke-point oil before searing the steaks for 2-3 minutes per side. For thicker cuts, you can transfer the skillet directly to a preheated oven to finish cooking to your desired internal temperature. No matter the method, remember to let your steaks rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender and incredibly juicy steak.

(When I mention “our” steaks in this context, I’m referring to those prepared specifically for my husband and our daughter. My son and I, with our preference for other dishes on this particular evening, happily sat this round out, but thoroughly enjoyed the aromas wafting from the kitchen!)

Sunday Steak Marinade: A Family Favorite Recipe

Recipe adapted from Aggie’s Kitchen

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar (I recommend Holland House Red Wine Vinegar for its quality)
A small palm full of dried oregano (approximately 1-2 teaspoons)
A small palm full of dried thyme (approximately 1-2 teaspoons)
A big pinch of onion powder (about 1/2 teaspoon)
A big pinch each of coarse salt and fresh ground pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon each)
2-3 cloves garlic, freshly smashed with the side of your knife for maximum flavor release

2 NY strip steaks (or any other cut of steak you prefer, such as sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak – adjust marinating time accordingly)

Instructions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried thyme, onion powder, coarse salt, and fresh ground pepper until all ingredients are well combined. Add the smashed garlic cloves to the marinade.
2. Place your steaks and the prepared marinade into a large, heavy-duty ziplock bag.
3. Carefully squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it tightly.
4. Gently massage the marinade into the steaks through the bag for about one minute, ensuring the meat is thoroughly coated on all sides.
5. Place the sealed bag with the steaks and marinade into the refrigerator for at least one hour. For deeper flavor and enhanced tenderness, you can marinate the steaks for up to overnight (8-12 hours).
6. Once marinated, remove the steaks from the bag, allowing any excess marinade to drip off.
7. Grill, broil, or pan-sear the steaks to your desired doneness. For grilling, refer to Weber’s excellent grilling tips and guides for precise temperature and timing.
8. Let the steaks rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.

Our delicious marinated steaks were served alongside a vibrant array of homemade roasted peppers, perfectly grilled sweet potato wedges, and warm, fragrant garlic onion rolls. This combination creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying meal, perfect for a special Sunday dinner or any day you crave a flavorful steak.

Join the Grillin’ Fun with  Family Fresh Cooking and  Cookin’ Canuck, proudly sponsored by  Ile de France Cheese,  Rösle,  Emile Henry,  Rouxbe and  ManPans.

Beyond the Marinade: The Versatility of Vinegar in Everyday Cooking

This month, I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Holland House vinegars for their inspiring Everyday Cooking campaign. This initiative celebrates the simple yet profound ways we can integrate Holland House vinegars into our daily meals, elevating flavors and adding a touch of gourmet to our home cooking. As someone who utilizes various types of vinegar almost daily – whether it’s for a vibrant salad dressing or a flavorful marinade just like this one – I deeply appreciate the quality and versatility that Holland House brings to my kitchen.

Vinegars are truly unsung heroes in the culinary world. Beyond their obvious role in marinades, they can brighten sauces, deglaze pans for rich gravies, tenderize meats, and create incredible vinaigrettes. A splash of red wine vinegar can awaken the flavors in a soup or stew, while a delicate white wine vinegar can add a subtle tang to seafood dishes. Apple cider vinegar is fantastic for pickles and even baking, while rice vinegar lends a crisp, clean finish to Asian-inspired dishes. Holland House offers a superb range of vinegars, making it easy to experiment and discover new dimensions of flavor in your everyday cooking. Their commitment to quality ensures that each bottle delivers consistent, delicious results, helping you transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals. It’s truly amazing how such a humble ingredient can have such a transformative impact on a dish, adding depth, acidity, and complexity that makes flavors pop.

For even more creative and delicious ideas on how to incorporate Holland House vinegars to spruce up your everyday meals, I highly recommend visiting their dedicated Holland House Everyday Cooking page on Facebook! You’ll find a wealth of recipes and tips that will inspire you to explore the endless possibilities that vinegar offers in your kitchen.

Conclusion: Savoring the Flavors of Home and Family

Preparing a delicious meal for loved ones, especially a perfectly marinated and cooked steak, is one of life’s simple pleasures. This easy homemade marinade transforms a good cut of meat into an unforgettable dining experience, proving that incredible flavor doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe offers a reliable path to a tender, juicy, and immensely flavorful steak that will surely become a staple in your household. It’s about more than just food; it’s about the memories created around the table, the shared joy of a wonderful meal, and the simple act of showing love through cooking. So go ahead, whip up this marinade, fire up the grill, and savor the exceptional flavors of home-cooked perfection.

(Disclosure: I received products and compensation from Holland House for this post, but rest assured, my thoughts and opinions expressed here are always entirely my own and reflect my genuine experience with their products.)