Brown Sugar Bourbon Grilled Steak – A Sweet and Smoky Delight 🥩🔥🥃
This Brown Sugar Bourbon Grilled Steak is a flavor-packed celebration of sweet, smoky, and savory. With a rich marinade of bourbon, brown sugar, garlic, and spices, every bite is juicy and caramelized to perfection. Ideal for summer grilling or special weekend meals. 💚
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Steak 💚
- ✅ Bold Bourbon Flavor: Smoky sweetness with a subtle oak kick.
- ✅ Juicy & Tender: Marinated to perfection for melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- ✅ Grill-Ready Favorite: Perfect for BBQs, Father’s Day, or date nights.
- ✅ Customizable: Works with ribeye, flank, sirloin, or NY strip.
🥩 Brown Sugar Bourbon Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye or NY strip steaks (about 1 inch thick) 🥩
- ¼ cup bourbon 🥃
- ¼ cup brown sugar 🍬
- 2 tbsp soy sauce 🌿
- 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 🌿
- 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
- ½ tsp black pepper 🧂
- ½ tsp salt 🧂
- Optional: pinch of cayenne for heat 🌶️
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions (Expanded)
- Make the marinade:
- In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the steaks:
- Place steaks in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over them.
- Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat the grill:
Heat grill to medium-high. Remove steaks from marinade and let excess drip off. Pat lightly with paper towel to avoid flare-ups. - Grill the steaks:
- Grill steaks for 4–5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check: 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 140°F (60°C) for medium.
- Rest and serve:
Let steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad. 🥩🔥
💡 Flavor Tips & Marinade Variations
- ✨ No bourbon? Use apple juice or cola for a family-friendly twist.
- ✨ Boost umami: Add 1 tsp Dijon mustard or balsamic vinegar to the marinade.
- ✨ Want it spicier? Increase cayenne or add chipotle powder.
- ✨ Make it saucy: Reserve a bit of marinade (before touching raw meat) to simmer into a glaze.
🔥 Nutritional Highlights
Steak is an excellent source of protein, iron, and B vitamins. This recipe enhances the flavor without deep frying or heavy sauces—letting the natural quality of the meat shine.
🧊 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- ✅ Make-ahead: Marinate steaks up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor.
- ✅ Storage: Store grilled leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- ✅ Reheat gently: Warm steak slices in a skillet with a splash of broth to keep them juicy.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a grill pan instead?
Absolutely! A cast-iron grill pan works great for indoor cooking—just ensure proper ventilation when using alcohol-based marinades.
What cuts of steak work best?
Ribeye, NY strip, sirloin, and flank steak all hold up beautifully to this marinade and grill method.
Can I freeze the steak in marinade?
Yes! Freeze raw steak directly in the marinade in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and grill as usual.
Smoky, Sweet & Seriously Satisfying 💚
Fire up the grill and treat yourself to this Brown Sugar Bourbon Grilled Steak! 🥩🔥💬 Share your smoky masterpieces or tag them on Pinterest!
