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A glass jar filled with a dark liquid and floating garlic pieces sits on a wooden board, surrounded by green herbs. Behind the jar, there is an amber-colored bottle of Crown Royal whiskey, hinting at a rich whiskey marinade. A cloth napkin is draped around the items.

Smooth Whiskey Steak Marinade Recipe

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This bold whiskey steak marinade is smoky, sweet, and rich in flavor, simmered to deepen every note. It tenderizes the meat while adding a mouthwatering finish, making it perfect for summer cookouts, Father’s Day grilling, or laid-back backyard dinners with friends.
Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, marinade, smoky, steak
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Plus Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 13 minutes
Servings 1 1 1/2 cups of marinade
Calories 734
Author Gina Dickson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon garlic about 2 cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup whiskey your favorite brand
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes optional, adjust to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

  • Wash the lemon, then zest it with a fine grater. Juice the lemon after zesting.
    1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    A marble cutting board holds a halved lemon and a lemon reamer with zest scattered around. Near the board, a green and black zester rests on a light gray surface, sprinkled with lemon zest flakes. A wooden handle peeks out from the back of the board.
  • Mince the garlic.
    1 tablespoon garlic

Make the Marinade

  • In a small saucepan, combine the whiskey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, and chili flakes.
    1/3 cup whiskey, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
    A light blue saucepan with a white interior sits on a white surface. Inside the pan are mixed ingredients including chopped onions, red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, brown sugar, and liquid ingredients. Beside the pan is a small whisk and a wooden trivet.
  • Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

Marinate the Steak

  • Pierce the steaks all over with a fork or lightly score the surface with a sharp knife to help absorb the marinade
  • Place the steaks in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the cooled marinade over the meat, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 8 hours for more flavor).

Grill the Steak

  • Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels.
  • Discard the used marinade.
  • Grill to desired doneness.

Notes

Note* This recipe yields 1 1/2 cups of marinade about enough to marinate three large steaks.
Important Prep Tips Before Starting The Recipe:
  • Take steaks out of the fridge 20 minutes before marinating to bring them to room temperature.
  • Zest and juice your lemon first. It’s easier to handle when whole.
  • Use a glass or stainless-steel bowl to avoid off-flavors from reactive containers.
  • Lightly score or pierce the steak with a fork before marinating to help the marinade penetrate more deeply.

Common Mistakes When Making This Recipe

  • Skipping the simmer step: simmering mellows the whiskey and helps the sugar dissolve for balanced flavor.
  • Over-marinating: limit to 8 hours for most steaks; 3 hours is often ideal for thinner cuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 11 1/2 cups of marinade | Calories: 734kcal | Carbohydrates: 134g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3252mg | Potassium: 1069mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 118g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 7mg
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