Nothing elevates a simple cut of steak like a well-crafted marinade, and this Classic Steakhouse Marinade captures the rich, bold flavors of a restaurant-quality meal at home. Sweet brown sugar and tangy ketchup blend with savory soy sauce, garlic, shallots, and smoked paprika, while a hint of liquid smoke adds depth reminiscent of a char-grilled steakhouse experience. Whether grilling on a summer evening or searing indoors during the colder months, this marinade transforms ordinary steak into a juicy, flavorful centerpiece that invites compliments from every diner at the table.

The Classic Steakhouse Marinade Recipe

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

1 ¼

cups

Prep time

minutes

Total time

minutes

A sweet, smoky, and savory steakhouse-style marinade with soy sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, tomato paste, garlic, shallot, and spices. Perfect for marinating steak, chicken, pork, or vegetables; refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

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Ingredients

1/3 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Ketchup
2 tbsp BBQ Sauce
1 tbsp Tomato Paste
3 tbsp Canola Oil
2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
2 tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 tsp Liquid Smoke
4 cloves Garlic (minced)
2 tbsp Minced Shallot
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1/2 tsp Cracked Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Dried Thyme (Sub: Dried Oregano)
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper

Directions

Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Whisk everything until perfectly blended and smooth.
Use as needed or store in the refrigerator until needed.

Notes

This Classic Steakhouse Marinade yields about 1 ¼ cups, perfect for 2–4 steaks depending on size, and can also be used on chicken, pork, or vegetables.
To use, pour the marinade over steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish, coating well. Marinate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight in the fridge, then bring the steak to room temperature before grilling or searing. Pat dry lightly for the best crust.
Store the unused, leftover marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.