For Extra-Flavorful Grilled Steak, Mustard Makes the Marinade (2024)

We're very excited to welcome writer, photographer, and cook Michael Harlan Turkell to the virtual pages of Serious Eats. In this series, Michael will share some of his favorite takes on grilling recipes from around the world, all focused on the interplay of vinegar and the grill—something he knows quite a bit about, as he traveled far and wide while writing his awesome vinegar-focused cookbook, Acid Trip.

Even though the most obvious beef recipe from Burgundy is that famous one with a red wine braise, boeuf bourguignon, I guess you could call this steak Burgundian, too.

Let's be honest: No one wants a stew during the heat of summer. It's too hot to turn on the oven, and besides, I'm craving something that will awaken my palate, rather than weigh it down. Lately, I've looked toward Dijon—Burgundy's capital city, world-renowned for its great, bracing mustard (not to mention its wine)—for a flavor boost. This forwardly spicy but smooth finished mustard was first made during the Middle Ages, originally with verjus (unripe-grape juice); since the mid-1800s, versions of this now-omnipresent condiment have employed vinegar as the acidic ingredient.

I've found that the vinegar component in Dijon mustard is intense enough to work as an excellent marinade for steaks—it tenderizes the proteins, which is great for tougher cuts, and imbues the meat with a nice tanginess. Rather than requiring hours of cooking, as boeuf bourguignon does, a skirt steak takes only about 10 minutes.

For Extra-Flavorful Grilled Steak, Mustard Makes the Marinade (2)

Skirt steak was a highly underappreciated cut for years, as it's very thin and can easily get too tough, but it's become a grilling staple for me. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavor well, and it's cheaper* than sirloins or strips.

[Edit: Or, at least, it used to be.]

Instead of just rubbing the steak with mustard, I make a marinade that combines Dijon with champagne vinegar, maintaining that French accent. Champagne vinegar, unlike Champagne the wine, can be made anywhere in France, and has the same precise punch that you'd expect from a glass of bubbly. One of my favorite producers, called Martin Pouret, has been making vinegar in Orléans, France, for six generations. The family has been barrel-aging its vinegars for hundreds of years, which gives them a little more depth than others I've had.

Continuing in the French vein, I throw some rosemary into the marinade, too; its strong piney taste joins the mustard in its métier.

For Extra-Flavorful Grilled Steak, Mustard Makes the Marinade (3)

Skirt steak is best grilled quickly over high heat, in order to sear the exterior while keeping the meat medium-rare in the center. The intrinsic sweetness of beef is brought out by the mustard's acidity, while the vinegar tempers the charred exterior. I find this acidic bite of steak so satisfying that I don't think it needs much to complement it, but if you're the sort who believes a green component is necessary with dinner, this is great with a raw kale salad. Slice the kale up very thinly, almost as if for a slaw, and toss it with a vinaigrette made with whole mustard seed Dijon.

In my book, Acid Trip: Travels in the World of Vinegar, I use the same marinade on oven-dried beef jerky, which has a nice, toothsome chew. And, once prime grilling season is over, this marinade would also work well as a flavoring in a beef stew. Heck, maybe it would even give boeuf bourguignon a run for its money.

For Extra-Flavorful Grilled Steak, Mustard Makes the Marinade (4)

For Extra-Flavorful Grilled Steak, Mustard Makes the Marinade (2024)

FAQs

What does mustard do to steak? ›

I've found that the vinegar component in Dijon mustard is intense enough to work as an excellent marinade for steaks—it tenderizes the proteins, which is great for tougher cuts, and imbues the meat with a nice tanginess.

Why do you season meat with mustard? ›

Instead of letting some of a spice rub melt off with the slowly melting fat, the mustard actually binds it better to the meat.

What is a simple mustard marinade that tenderizes and adds flavor? ›

Mustard-Vinegar Marinade-This is a simple mustard marinade that tenderizes and adds flavor. It works well on pork or poultry. Effects of Heat to Meat 1. It tenderizes connective tissue if moisture is present and cooking is slow.

What are the three main ingredients when marinating? ›

A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices). These elements work together to transform the taste and texture of your dish in different ways.

How do you make my steaks taste better? ›

Add some chopped herbs such as thyme, rosemary or sage to your salt to make a flavored salt for your steak. For restaurant-quality steaks, baste them in butter and herbs during the final few moments of cooking. This will impart the delicious buttery flavor you know and love from your favorite steakhouse.

What adds flavor to the meat and makes it tender and juicy? ›

A marinade is a simple mix of ingredients used to add flavor to meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and even tofu. Depending on what's in the marinade, what it's marinating, and for how long, a marinade can even tenderize and add moisture.

What is the best vinegar for marinade? ›

Today, marinades are generally used to bring out the flavor of the meat. An ideal ingredient for this purpose (among many other uses!) is apple cider vinegar.

What helps tenderize and flavor marinating items? ›

Incorporating fruit and vegetable juice into marinades can enhance the aroma, flavour, juiciness, and tenderness of the meat due to the denaturation of proteins [1,73].

What is the secret to a good marinade? ›

Plenty of herbs and spices

The higher the concentration of salt in the marinade, the more herbs and spices you need for the meat to absorb their taste. One of Otto's favorite herb mix marinades is an abundance of garlic, herbs, and spices: at least 3-4 cloves of garlic and at least one big tablespoon of chopped herbs.

What liquid is best for marinade? ›

Marinades generally consist of cooking oil, an acidic liquid, such as vinegar, wine, tomato, or citrus juice (or a natural enzyme, such as ginger or pineapple), and flavorings, including garlic, molasses, honey, fresh or dried herbs, and spices.

What are 2 rules for safe marinating of meat? ›

Do not marinate in a metal container since the acidic mixture can react with the metal. Use a plastic or glass container and cover with plastic food wrap. Turn meat occasionally so all sides are coated evenly with the marinade.

Is mustard a good binder for steak? ›

Binding agents like mustard and mayonnaise give meat a boost, help seasonings stick.

What does covering meat in mustard do? ›

It's because you're missing a binder. Try coating the meat in mustard and then sprinkling it with the rub. It doesn't alter the flavor but keeps the rub where its intended to be – flavoring your meat. You can also use an oil with a high smoke point – such as generic vegetable oil.

What does seasoning with mustard do? ›

In small quantities, it can enhance the natural taste of food, while in more significant amounts, it can dominate and overpower other flavors.

What does mustard do in cooking? ›

It Adds Flavor to Classic Sauces

With sauces like this, mustard can be used much like you would use salt and pepper. It helps to add acidity and brightness to the dish. Stir a bit of mustard into classic pan sauces for steak, fish, or pork chops too. It will help add some thickness and body to the sauce.

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