Copycat Outback Steakhouse Marinade Recipe

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This marinade starts with a good quality ale and adds some seasonings for a delicious steak just like you get at popular restaurants

serves/makes:

ready in:

1-2 hrs

10 reviews
1 comment

ingredients

1 cup good quality ale
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

directions

Marinate your desired cut of steak (great for ribeyes or new york strips) in the ale in a zip-top bag or plastic container for one hour in the refrigerator. Do not marinate overnight.

Combine the brown sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well blended.

Remove the steak from the marinade and rub the brown sugar mixture on both sides. Place on waxed paper and return to refrigerator for 30-60 minutes.

To Cook: Heat a cast iron skillet, grill pan, or outdoor grill to medium high heat (greasing as needed).

Cook steak to desired doneness. Serve immediately with side dishes of your choice.

recipe tips

Choose a good quality ale with flavors that you enjoy, as it will impart its taste to the steak. Flavored ales can produce some delicious results so feel free to experiment.

Pat the steak dry before applying the brown sugar mixture to help it adhere better to the meat.

Allow the steak to come to room temperature before cooking for more even cooking and better results.

common recipe questions

What kind of ale should I use for the marinade?

You can use any good quality ale for the marinade, but a darker ale will provide a richer flavor profile to the steak.

Can I marinate the steak overnight?

It is recommended not to marinate the steak overnight as the ale can overpower the flavor of the steak. One hour of marinating is sufficient but you can marinate for up to 3 hours without issue.

Why do I need to rub the brown sugar mixture on both sides of the steak?

Rubbing the brown sugar mixture adds a sweet and savory crust to the steak, boosting its flavor and creating a caramelized finish when cooked.

Can I use this marinade for other meats besides steak?

While this marinade is specifically designed for steak, you can experiment with marinating other meats like chicken or pork.

How should I cook the steak after marinating?

You can cook the steak on a hot cast iron skillet, grill pan, or outdoor grill for the best sear and flavor development. Test with a meat thermometer for doneness (medium-rare is 130 degrees F).

Can I adjust the seasonings in the marinade?

Adjust the amount of brown sugar, seasoned salt, and black pepper to cater to your personal preferences.

Can I use regular salt instead of seasoned salt?

Seasoned salt adds a balanced blend of herbs and spices to enhance the overall flavor of the steak and complement the ale and brown sugar components. You can use regular salt but you may want to add some additional seasoning such as a pinch each of cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard.

How long can I store the leftover marinade?

Any used marinade should be discarded as it came into contact with raw meat and is not safe for consumption.

nutrition data

7 calories, 0 grams fat, 1 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams protein per tablespoon. This recipe is low in sodium. This recipe is low in fat.

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reviews & comments

Anonymous REVIEW:
August 2, 2016

I skip the brown sugar and it's still a great marinade.
Guest Foodie REVIEW:
December 2, 2014

So good! I used this to marinate chicken too.
brat_gurl89 REVIEW:
June 26, 2014

This marinade is great and a breeze to make with only four ingredients.
foodist REVIEW:
October 23, 2013

I liked this marinade. Didn't overpower the steak flavor. Left them quite tender. I marinated for about 3-4 hours. Curious why not to marinate it overnight?
Gina REVIEW:
June 22, 2013

I thought this was delicious! I have no idea what the steaks at Outback are like (don't care for chain restaurants) but this was good. The beer tenderizes the steak and the seasonings with the brown sugar create a nice crust. Will definitely use this recipe again.
beerbellie REVIEW:
February 15, 2013

I marinated the steaks but then we ended up going out for dinner that night. I cooked them the next day and they were fine. Maybe had more beer flavor, I'm not sure.The sweet rub was good.
Guest Foodie March 12, 2007

Actually they do marinate their steaks in 11 spices but the guy wouldnt tell me which.
sidhe REVIEW:
November 12, 2005

This recipe doesn't turn out to be even close to the flavor of Outback's steaks. It's more of a teriyaki flavor, not bad at all but definately nothing like what I was hoping for.
BizzyBee REVIEW:
September 17, 2005

I don't know if outback steakhouse marinates their steaks or not, this recipe was really good. I added a little cayenne to the seasoned salt/brown sugar rub for a little extra kick and then cooked the steaks in on my cast iron griddle instead of grilling because it was raining (I'm not that much of a die-hard griller!). Beer has always been a great tenderizer for beef and using good quality is highly recommended as it will impart some flavor onto the meat.
3252 REVIEW:
October 2, 2004

Outback doesn't marinate steaks......nice try!
Guest Foodie REVIEW:
February 17, 2004

Made this with a gluten free beer for the marinade since I can't have regular beer. Not sure if it changed the flavor from the original recipe but it was very good. I also make my own seasoned salt since most commercial brands aren't gluten free, so again my recipe might have turned out different but we really enjoyed it. Will definitely be making this again and again since it's so simple and tasty.

Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Copycat Outback Steakhouse Marinade Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)