Asian Steak Marinade

We love our classic steak fajitas marinade recipe, but I couldn’t stop thinking about giving it an Asian-inspired twist, and that’s how this flavorful Asian steak marinade came to life.

We’re also sharing a simple trick that takes the steak to the next level, so keep reading for all the deets.

Ingredients for Asian Steak Marinade

I couldn’t find a plain skirt or flank steak at the store, so I grabbed the store-brand carne asada instead. It was already seasoned and worked amazingly! If you’re short on time, this is a great shortcut. But if you’re going the fully homemade route, I’ve included our own spice rub in the recipe card below. Just rub it on before marinating the steak. 

• Skirt or Flank Steak: Your best bets for this recipe! They’re flavorful, quick-cooking, and perfect for marinating. You can use a T-bone, ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon if needed, but for the best results, stick with skirt or flank. A pre-seasoned cut can also save time and add extra flavor.

For the Rub

• Kosher Salt: This might be bold, but every rub should have salt.
• Chili Powder: Flavor and some heat.
• Smoked Paprika: I’m totally team smoked paprika. I put it in everything.
• Cumin: Flavor.
• Garlic Powder: That great garlic flavor without the additional salt of garlic salt.
• Onion Powder: Flavor!
• Cayenne: Heat baby!
• Grapefruit Juice (or Pineapple Juice): This helps tenderize the meat and adds flavor.

For the Marinade

• Rice Vinegar: Adds acidity.
• Pineapple Juice: Adds a little sweetness and tang.
• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is best. The soy sauce is great for tenderizing the meat because it breaks down the tough proteins.
• Garlic: Freshly minced.
• Ginger: Adds that signature Asian flavor.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and richness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a little heat; feel free to add more or some sriracha if you like it spicy.
• Scallions: For a garnish.

The full recipe with the measurements and complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How To Make This Easy Asian Steak Marinade

1. Mix: Combine the dry seasonings and juice in a bowl.
2. Rub: Coat the steak thoroughly with the seasoning mixture, then cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, or freeze if prepping ahead.
3. Marinate: Mix all marinade ingredients in a plastic bag and squish to blend. Add the steak to the marinade and refrigerate for 1–4 hours.
4. Rest: Let the steak sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before grilling. Pat dry with paper towels.
5. Boil: Transfer the used marinade to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
6. Grill: Cook the steak over high heat, searing on both sides. Let the grilled steak rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
7. Slice: Cut the steak against the grain into thin slices.
8. Reduce: Simmer the marinade until thickened, stirring often. Stir butter into the sauce off the heat.
9. Finish: Serve with sauce drizzled over the sliced steak.

How to Slice a Steak

Whether you use a flank steak or skirt steak, you will want to cut both against the grain. This means you want to cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers. This will help the steak be even more tender.

What to Eat with Asian Steak

We love to just eat the steak as a main dish with a side of steamed rice and Asian cucumber salad. You could also do a side of sautéed snap peas or egg drop soup. The steak can also be cut up and used in tacos, in a rice bowl, or in a salad.

How to Store and Reheat this Recipe

I’m such a sucker for Asian cuisine and that rich, savory umami flavor. If you have leftover marinade, you can store a full unused batch in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for up to 3 months. When it comes to reheating steak, I prefer using the oven at a low temperature until it’s heated through, but the microwave, air fryer, or a quick toss in a skillet on the stovetop will work too! Just be careful not to overdo it, or the steak will dry out.

This bold and flavorful Asian steak marinade will have your mouth watering and your belly craving tender, juicy steak. I’m such a sucker for Asian cuisine and that savory umami flavor.

More Asian Recipes to Try:

• Orange Chicken
• Asian Sticky Salmon
• One Pan Asian Shrimp Noodles
• Sticky Asian Grilled Chicken Breasts
• …All of Our Asian Recipes! 

Watch How this Asian Steak Marinade is Made…