Marinating Steak in Beer

Steak lovers know that their favorite cuts of dry aged beef don’t need much beyond salt and pepper to taste great. Still, there’s nothing wrong with experimenting with other flavor profiles when you enjoy beef on a weekly basis and want to mix it up.

Beer is a handy ingredient you can use for a simple marinade that only needs a few extra touches to complete the recipe. Learn how to marinate your favorite cuts of steak in beer for the best results.

Why Marinate Steak in Beer?

Beer contains a wide variety of compounds and naturally occurring chemicals. Alpha acids, beta acids, and tannins all contribute to a tender and juicy texture when this liquid is added to marinade.

The sugars and natural caramel compounds in many beers also contribute to a more well-rounded flavor in the cooked steak. All in all, beer is a great base for a more complex marinade. It also works well alone if a can or bottle is all you have while traveling.

What is the Best Steak to Use?

Most cuts of steak will pair well with a beer marinade, but the alcohol and tannins may be a little strong for the delicate Filet Mignon. This kind of pricey steak doesn’t usually need a marinade anyway. Steak cuts that aren’t so tender to begin with, such as the New York Strip or the meaty Porterhouse, are a better fit for this kind of marinade.

The biggest change will come when you marinate tougher cuts like sliced eye of round or skirt steaks. These steaks become far more tender in addition to gaining a boost in flavor.

What is the Best Beer to Use?

Avoid dark beers with strong bitter flavors, as well as Pale Ales that are very intense with hop flavors. Too much bitterness can give the steak an unpleasant taste once it is done grilling.

Aim for sweeter beers based on wheat and with limited hop levels. Light beers can also work well for this marinating method. Avoid beers with strong fruity flavors, which can add an odd taste to the meat after grilling wraps up. Honey lagers are a good choice because they highlight the sweet caramel taste that comes from the beer without adding too much bitterness to the finished flavor profile.

Tips, Tricks, and Variations

• There’s no need for a fancy beer for this method. Your basic lagers and light beers will work just fine.
• Only marinate the steaks in the beer for about 2 to 6 hours at the most. Marinating overnight can cause the meat to soften too much and become gummy. It’s also harder to cook the alcohol out after a long soak.
• Don’t expect the steaks to be completely alcohol free after a trip to the grill or stove top. With 25 minutes of cooking, over 40% of the total alcohol will remain in the finished dish. Starting with a low alcohol beer limits the amount left in the finished steak.

Recipe for Beer Marinated Steak

Ingredients

• 4 ribeye steaks, ½ lb each
• 2 (12 fluid ounces) cans or bottles of beer, preferably a lighter and sweeter variety
• 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons of neutral flavored oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Mix the beer, oil, and spices together. You don’t need to get a perfect emulsion between the beer and oil, just get it well combined.

2. Place the steaks in a glass dish with a tightly fitting lid or a plastic bag. Add the marinade and let the steaks soak for about 2 to 6 hours before cooking.

3. Grill the steaks or cook them on the stove top, discarding the rest of the marinade.

Notes

This beer marinade also works great for thick cut pork chops. It’s a little strong for chicken, but a short soak of just 1 hour in this marinade will impart flavor without negatively affecting the texture of white meat.

Conclusion

If you enjoy sipping a certain beer and it’s not too strong on the hops, it’s likely to make a good base for a steak marinade. You can always get creative and add other acids like vinegar or lemon juice to further soften up tougher cuts of beef as well. Think outside the box when adding spices as well and you’re sure to create your own secret marinade that no one will be able to guess. Marinating steak in beer is a great way to add more depth of flavor while also tenderizing the meat without the need for anything special.