Do you ever find yourself wondering, can you marinate steak with Worcestershire sauce?
If so, the short answer is yes, but not for very long.
However, there is much more to this question than just the simple answer.
So let’s get to it…
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Is Worcestershire Sauce Good For Marinating Steak?
When it comes to marinating steak, the first thing that comes to mind is soy sauce.
The common thought is that Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce are interchangeable when it comes to marinating steak.
However, this is not the case.
Though they may seem like the same thing (they both come in bottles, after all), one is much more acidic than the other.
This is important because the acidity level is what actually draws the flavor into the meat, not soy sauce’s salty properties.
So the question now becomes: is Worcestershire sauce good for marinating steak?
Again, it depends on your situation.
It doesn’t mean that you can’t use it, but you may need to alter the marinating time/process based on how long you’ve used the sauce.
So let’s break it down…
How To Marinate Steak Using Worcestershire Sauce
When marinating steak using Worcestershire sauce, no more than an hour should be added to your usual marinating time.
Most recipes recommend letting steak marinate in Worcestershire for between 30 minutes to one hour.
This is because the acidity found within the sauce will start to break down the flesh of the meat.
As a result, you’ll end up with an overcooked steak because all of that flavor was drawn into it before your eyes.
To marinate steak using Worcestershire sauce you should first prepare your steak however you like it (seasoned, etc.).
Then all you need to do is pour the sauce into a plastic bag or shallow dish and add in your cut of meat.
This will keep it from being over-cooked, but you’ll still have all of the flavors.
What Does Worcestershire Sauce Do To Steak?
Worcestershire sauce is known for its sharp and tangy taste.
This is because of the main ingredients used to make it: vinegar, anchovies, molasses, and shallots (among others).
By marinating steak with Worcestershire sauce you’re infusing those flavors into your meat as well as bringing up the acidity level within the sauce.
The acidity in Worcestershire sauce is what helps with the tenderizing process, but only when the steak is left in it for longer than one hour.
Otherwise, you may end up cooking your steak (not exactly appetizing).
So again, Worcestershire sauce is good for marinating steak, but not for very long.
You can still enjoy its flavor without overcooking your steak, but you’ll have to marinate it in a separate container.
Other Considerations
It’s important to keep in mind that this is for bone-in, thicker cuts of steak.
This is due to their toughness and ability to withstand the acidity level in the sauce.
For thinner cuts (like flank steak), you’ll need to marinate them in Worcestershire for a longer period of time or use soy sauce instead.
In addition, you must also consider whether or not your Worcestershire sauce is homemade.
Homemade sauce may have a different acidity level than store-bought varieties, which means that your marinating time will need to be longer (or shorter) depending on what type of sauce you’re using.
However, if it isn’t homemade then you can safely follow the one-hour rule for marinating steak with Worcestershire sauce.
And that’s it!
So, yes you can marinate steak with Worcestershire sauce.
Where To Go From Here…
So is Worcestershire sauce good for marinating steak? It can be…
But only if you use it correctly. You can’t just throw it on raw meat and expect to get great results!
This is a sauce that is meant to be added at the end of cooking, not before.
So go ahead and give it a try!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Worcestershire sauce can be used for marinating steak.
It’s a sauce that is known for its ability to both tenderize and flavor meat quickly, making it a pretty convenient choice.
Worcestershire sauce doesn’t take long to work its magic on steak, which means that you can cook it sooner or use it with other foods (like fish) if desired.
However, you should be careful about how long you leave your steak in it.
A maximum of an hour should be used, otherwise, you run the risk of overcooking your meat.
So to answer the question “Can You Marinate Steak With Worcestershire Sauce?“, yes you can!