America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Honey Mustard Marinade for Steaks

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

30 minutes, plus 1 hour marinating

Yield

For 4 to 6 individual steaks or one 2-pound steak

Honey Mustard Marinade for Steaks

Ingredients

½ cup soy sauce ⅓ cup vegetable oil 4 teaspoons honey 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves 4 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 4 teaspoons)1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper 1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Before You Begin

For information on grilling steaks, see related recipes.

Instructions

  1. Combine soy, oil, honey, mustard, tarragon, garlic, and pepper in medium bowl. Remove 1/4 cup marinade and combine with vinegar in small bowl; set aside.
  2. Place remaining marinade and steaks in gallon-size zipper-lock bag; press out as much air as possible and seal bag. Refrigerate 1 hour, flipping bag after 30 minutes to ensure that steaks marinate evenly.
  3. Remove steaks from marinade, letting any excess marinade drip back into bag. Discard bag and marinade. Grill steaks as desired.
  4. Transfer steaks to shallow pan and pour reserved marinade over top. Tent loosely with foil and let rest 10 minutes, turning meat halfway through. Slice steak or serve whole, passing reserved marinade if desired.
Honey Mustard Marinade for Steaks

Honey Mustard Marinade for Steaks

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

30 minutes, plus 1 hour marinating

Yield

For 4 to 6 individual steaks or one 2-pound steak

Ingredients

½ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons honey
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
4 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 4 teaspoons)
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Ingredients

½ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons honey
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
4 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 4 teaspoons)
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Ingredients

½ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons honey
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
4 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 4 teaspoons)
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Why This Recipe Works

We started with soy sauce to develop a steak marinade recipe that worked. The salt in soy sauce acts much like a brine, helping the meat retain moisture during cooking and making it more tender. But to add more depth of flavor, we needed additional seasonings. We found them in the international section of the supermarket, with ingredients as diverse as red curry paste, Dijon mustard, and chipotle chiles.

Before You Begin

For information on grilling steaks, see related recipes.

Instructions

  1. Combine soy, oil, honey, mustard, tarragon, garlic, and pepper in medium bowl. Remove 1/4 cup marinade and combine with vinegar in small bowl; set aside.
  2. Place remaining marinade and steaks in gallon-size zipper-lock bag; press out as much air as possible and seal bag. Refrigerate 1 hour, flipping bag after 30 minutes to ensure that steaks marinate evenly.
  3. Remove steaks from marinade, letting any excess marinade drip back into bag. Discard bag and marinade. Grill steaks as desired.
  4. Transfer steaks to shallow pan and pour reserved marinade over top. Tent loosely with foil and let rest 10 minutes, turning meat halfway through. Slice steak or serve whole, passing reserved marinade if desired.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

Keep Exploring

This is a members' feature.