This is my absolute favorite steak marinade, and it’s portioned perfectly for 1 pound of steak—the amount most people cook for a quick dinner, rice bowl, or meal-prep portion.
While this marinade works for any cuisine, it’s especially delicious in Asian-inspired meals like rice bowls, noodle dishes, lettuce wraps, and stir-fry plates.
The blend of soy sauce, hoisin, brown sugar, and warm spices gives you a savory-sweet flavor that caramelizes beautifully when cooked.
Why This Marinade Works So Well
- Ideal for 1 lb of steak. No guesswork—this amount coats the meat perfectly without being too strong or too light.
- Perfect for Asian-style meals. The soy sauce + hoisin combo gives deep umami and a lacquered finish when seared.
- Works for all cuts. Skirt, flank, ribeye, sirloin, NY strip, flat iron—you name it, this marinade elevates it.
How to Use the Steak in Asian-Inspired Recipes
Rice Bowls
Slice thinly and serve with jasmine rice, cucumbers, scallions, or chili crisp.
Stir-Fry Veggies
Serve alongside bok choy, mushrooms, snap peas, broccoli, or cabbage.
Lettuce Wraps
Use sliced steak with a drizzle of sriracha or sesame dressing.
Fusion Tacos
Great in Asian-style tacos with slaw and cilantro.
Best Cuts for This Marinade
- Flank steak
- Skirt steak
- Ribeye
- New York strip
- Flat iron
- Sirloin
- Hanger steak
- Filet mignon
Can I use this on chicken or pork?
Yes—it’s delicious on both.
Is it too sweet for steak?
No, the sweetness caramelizes and balances the savory notes of the soy and hoisin.
How long should I marinate?
30 minutes minimum, 4–8 hours ideal, up to 12 hours for thick or tough cuts like skirt steak.
Favorite Steak Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak any cut
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and brown sugar.
- Add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and olive oil; whisk until smooth.
- Place 1 lb of steak into a dish or zip-top bag and pour marinade over it. Coat evenly.
- Marinate at least 30 minutes, ideally 4–8 hours.
- Cook the steak using your preferred method—grill, cast-iron sear, broil, or air fry.
- Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- For 2 lbs of steak, simply double the marinade. For 3 lbs, triple it.
- Works beautifully for skirt, flank, ribeye, NY strip, flat iron, sirloin, hanger, and filet.
- Great when sliced thin for Asian bowls or noodle dishes.
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