Brown Sugar Bourbon Marinade: Best 5-Min Steak Recipe
A quick and easy marinade made with brown sugar, bourbon, and soy sauce that creates a sticky, caramelized crust on steak. Perfect for grilling or pan-searing in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.5 to 2 lbs steak (Ribeye, New York Strip, or Sirloin)
Instructions
- In a large ziplock bag or bowl, combine brown sugar, bourbon, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear.
- Place the steak in the bag with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal. Massage the bag to coat the steak evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
- Remove steak from marinade, shaking off excess liquid (do not rinse).
- Preheat grill to high heat or heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with a small amount of high-smoke-point oil.
- Place steak on the hot surface. Do not move for 3-4 minutes to allow a crust to form.
- Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes for medium-rare (internal temperature of 130°F/54°C).
- Remove from heat and let rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Notes
Do not marinate longer than 4 hours as the acid can make the meat mushy. Keep heat at medium-high to prevent the sugar from burning. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce. You can make the marinade ahead and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak (approx. 1/4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Protein: 35
Keywords: steak recipe, bourbon marinade, brown sugar glaze, grilled steak, quick dinner, ribeye, easy marinade, summer grilling