Keto steak marinade is the perfect low-carb boost of flavor that goes great with so many cuts of beef. With bold flavors like garlic & Worcestershire, this easy recipe is the only steak marinade recipe you will ever need.
Whisk up this quick marinade in just 5 minutes. Then grill or pan fry up a juicy steak and serve it with my recipe for Keto Creamed Spinach Casserole for a fantastic meal.
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Ingredients for Homemade Keto Steak Marinade
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are likely already in your pantry. The simple marinade is soy-free & almost sugar-free to ensure it is keto-approved.
The key to keeping it low in sugar, is to NOT use balsamic vinegar. From there, it's easy peasy. Here is all you need.
- Olive Oil - base of any great tasting marinade with fruity flavors.
- Coconut Aminos - the gluten-free "soy sauce" substitute for saltiness.
- Red Wine Vinegar - acid needed in any marinade to help break down the meat & tenderize it.
- Worcestershire Sauce - bold flavors that is the perfect pair for beef.
- Minced Onion - the flakes give flavor without the carbs that fresh onions would have.
- Garlic - fresh is best but can use powder if you need a substitute.
- Fresh Parsley - brings in fresh earthiness & brightness.
- Seasonings - salt, pepper, & my favorites - Buttery Steakhouse Blend by Kinder's
See the recipe card for amounts & full instructions.
How to Make Keto Steak Marinade
I have been making this marinade for 10 years & have it down to a perfect science. All it takes is 5 minutes so even a beginner can make it. Here are the steps for whisking or shaking up this recipe:
- Use a 2-cup mason jar with tight fitting lid (or a pourable 2 cup measuring glass)
- Chop & mince the garlic & parsley - add to the jar or cup.
- Add remaining ingredients (minus 1 tablespoon of the Kinder's blend)
- Seal jar & shake for 15 seconds or use a whisk in the glass cup.
- Pour marinade over the meat that is in a Ziploc sealable bag or rimmed baking dish.
- Sprinkle with remaining rub & additional parsley, optional.
- Refrigerate & rotate meat for 1 - 8 hours.
TIP: DO NOT marinate any longer than 8 hours due to the salt and acidic nature of this marinade. Any longer and it will break down the meat structures too far.
Storing Unused Steak Marinade
You can make larger batches of marinade for more than 1 pound of meat by multiplying as needed. You can also make extras as this marinade will store in a refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an air-tight container. The olive oil may set and harden a bit at a cool temperature but simply let the container come to room temperature, shake, and pour.
*NEVER REUSE MARINADE - ONCE IT'S TOUCHED RAW MEAT IT NEEDS TO BE DISPOSED OF
What Steaks are Best to Marinade
This marinade works with just about any cut of meat. See below for those I recommend. Some cuts of steak I do not recommend marinating; such as filet mignon, T-bone, porterhouse, or tenderloins.
Grass-fed & grass-finished steaks are the healthiest in my opinion. I could not be happier with my monthly BUTCHER BOX cuts & recommend them highly for quality at a great price.
Marinade Times by Cut of Beef
Small Pieces of Steak/Beef = 30 minutes - 1 hour maximum
- Cut Steak for Kabobs
- Cut Steak for Fajitas
- Stew Meat
Juicy and Tender Cuts of Steak/Beef = 30 minutes - 3 hours
- Rib-Eye
- Top Loin
- Tri-Tip (roast & steaks)
- Sirloin
Tougher Cuts of Steak/Beef = 4 - 8 hours
- Bottom Round
- Chuck
- Hanger Steak
- Flank Steak
- Flat Iron / Butcher's Steak
- Skirt Steak
- Top Round
How Do I Grill A Keto Steak?
There is no difference between a keto steak versus grilling any other steak. This and other Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Steaks are important to know. Or if you prefer to cooking on the stovetop/oven, try one of these best pans for searing a steak.
Also, most people who grill are not aware of how important it is to know when to grill with the lid open or when to grill with the lid closed. Trust me - it matters! For all, you need to know on that subject, check out my popular article GRILLING WITH THE LID ON OR OFF - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
FAQ
There are not many carbs in Worcestershire sauce so it is safe to use on a keto diet. However, because it does have over 1 net carb per 5ml, it should still be used on a limited basis. 5ml is a little bit more than a teaspoon so keep that in mind when you use it in low-carb recipes.
You can also use a substitute for the Worcestershire sauce if you desire. Some are also low-carb.
Since this is a keto marinade recipe, red wine vinegar is suggested. I do not recommend using balsamic vinegar as a substitute. Balsamic vinegar has 2.7g net carbs per tablespoon. Red wine vinegar has 0g net carbs. Zero carbs wins and make red wine vinegar more than ok for a keto diet!
To make it hot and spicy, add the following:
add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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Keto Steak Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 TB minced fresh parsley reserve 1 to sprinkle on top at the end
- ⅓ C olive oil
- 2 TB coconut aminos
- ¼ C red wine vinegar
- 1 TB Worcestershire sauce
- 1 TB minced onion
- ½ TB seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 TB Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse rub 1 for the marinade and reserve 2 to sprinkle on top at the end
** This marinade makes enough for 1 pound of steak.
Instructions
- Chop the garlic and mince the parsley.1 garlic clove, 2 TB minced fresh parsley
- To 2-Cup or larger mason jar add the garlic and 1 TB of the parsley.
- Add the remaining ingredients including only 1 TB of the Kinder's rub mixture. Tighten the lid on the mason jar and give it a good shake for about 15 second to combine thoroughly.⅓ C olive oil, 2 TB coconut aminos, ¼ C red wine vinegar, 1 TB Worcestershire sauce, 1 TB minced onion, ½ TB seasoned salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- In a baking dish with at least a 2-inch depth, add 1 pound of meat you want to marinade. Pour the marinade over the meat. Sprinkle with 1 TB of the rub and the parsley. Let the marinade do what it needs - flipping it half way through the time and adding 1 TB of the rub on the second side of the meat.
- See above my recommendations on marinade times by cut of meat. Also information on grilling in a lnk above.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Adam says
Tried this on flank steak and it turned out good. I overcooked it but that is my fault since I have never tried flank steak before and just learning.
Angela says
Ah sorry to hear you overcooked it. Flank and skirt steak both are best-cooked medium at most and they do cook really fast. If you do not have a meat thermometer I highly recommend you get one. Amazon has great instant-read ones.
Sandra Whitmore says
That marinade sounds tasty even for someone not on a keto diet. And healthy too.
Holly B says
Fantastic way to add flavor to a keto meal! I can't wait to try this recipe!
Sabrina DeWalt says
This sounds like a wonderful marinade. I love that there is no added sugar.
Angela says
Marinades should not have sugar and whether keto or not. This one also has less than 1g of natural sugars either and is really low-carb.
Marianne says
Looks yummy and easy! I will be sending this to Hubby for the next time we do steak!
Kendra says
This looks and sounds delicious! My son loves when I make a good steak marinade! We'll have to try this out!
Angela says
Thanks, I hope the whole family loves it.
Amanda says
Ooohh! This looks fantastic! Perfect for summer grilling and bursting with flavor.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
That is a beautiful steak!! I love the ingredients. Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party! Hope your week is going great.
Suz | TravelsWithSuz.com says
Sounds great! I'm not a big meat eater, and I've never cooked a steak - but I do enjoy a good filet every once in a while. This marinade recipe sounds delish!
Caroline Parrott says
OH YUM. Must try. I'm usually a "wing- it" marinade person but feel inspired to try this one for something a little different. Plus, who can't use some Kinders rub?!?! 🙂 Fun fact-the only thing I've ever bbq'd is flank steak and it actually came out edible.
Angela says
Great, this recipe would be perfect on flank steak. Give it a try and then maybe get crazy and try a new cut of beef too.
Gina says
Used exact measurements on my first-ever flank steak...it was exactly delish! As an extra bonus, I found a new seasoning staple for my cabinet in Kinder’s, a brand which was previously unknown to me.
Angela says
Win win for sure! I am glad you enjoy Kinder's too, so good. If you go to Costco grab some there when they have it.