The Steak Marinade of Your Dreams Recipe
Introduction
This ribeye steak recipe features a flavorful marinade and a rich roasted garlic butter that takes the dish to the next level. Paired with tender roasted asparagus, it’s a perfect meal for a special dinner or a weekend treat.

Ingredients
- 2 ribeye steaks (16 ounces each, trimmed) or 4 steaks (8 ounces each)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup olive oil (for marinade)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 6 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 garlic bulbs (tops sliced off)
- ¼ cup olive oil (for roasting garlic)
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks, room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (finely chopped, for butter)
- ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped, for butter)
- Salt and pepper (to taste, for butter and asparagus)
- 2 bunches asparagus (washed, dried, and trimmed)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (for asparagus)
- Juice of ½ medium lemon
- 1 tablespoon canola oil (for searing)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 2: Pat the steaks dry and gently poke them all over with a fork. Season lightly with salt.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar or honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper.
- Step 4: Place the steaks in a gallon-size zip-top bag, pour in the marinade, seal removing as much air as possible, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
- Step 5: Remove steaks from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring them to room temperature.
- Step 6: While the steaks marinate, arrange garlic bulbs cut side up in a cast iron skillet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour until soft and golden.
- Step 7: (Optional) Flip garlic bulbs and roast for an additional 2–3 minutes for extra caramelization. Remove bulbs and set aside to cool.
- Step 8: Wipe the skillet clean and return it to the oven to keep hot for searing later.
- Step 9: When garlic is cool, squeeze out cloves into a small bowl with softened butter, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mash and combine well to make garlic herb butter. Set aside.
- Step 10: Toss asparagus with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10–15 minutes until tender.
- Step 11: Remove steaks from marinade and let excess drip off. Pat dry with paper towels to remove any debris.
- Step 12: Optional: Pour remaining marinade into a small saucepan and simmer over low heat to reduce into a sauce.
- Step 13: Transfer the hot cast iron skillet from the oven to the stovetop on medium-high heat. Add canola oil.
- Step 14: Sear steaks 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare (130–135°F), adjusting time for thickness and doneness preference.
- Step 15: Transfer steaks to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil or a paper towel, and rest for 5–10 minutes.
- Step 16: Slice steaks against the grain and serve with roasted asparagus. Add a dollop of garlic herb butter on top and enjoy immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For a sweeter glaze, swap brown sugar for honey in the marinade.
- Marinate steaks overnight for deeper flavor and more tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness without guesswork.
- Try swapping asparagus for green beans or broccolini for variety.
- Save the marinade after removing steaks and simmer it down to make a delicious sauce to drizzle on top.
Storage
Store any leftover cooked steak tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Garlic herb butter and asparagus should be kept separately in airtight containers. Reheat steak gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a warm oven to keep it tender. Garlic butter can be softened again and spread on warm bread or reheated with steak.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of steak for this marinade?
Yes, this marinade works well with various cuts like sirloin, flank, or strip steak. Adjust cooking times based on the thickness and type of steak.
How long should I marinate the steaks?
For best results, marinate for at least 2 hours. Overnight marinating is ideal for maximum flavor and tenderness, but avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent the meat from becoming too soft.
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The Steak Marinade of Your Dreams Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes to overnight (including marinating)
- Yield: 2 to 4 servings 1x
Description
This ribeye steak recipe features a flavorful homemade marinade combined with roasted garlic herb butter and perfectly roasted asparagus. The steak is marinated for tender, juicy results and seared in a hot cast iron skillet, while the garlic butter and asparagus complement the dish perfectly. Ideal for a delicious, restaurant-quality steak dinner at home.
Ingredients
Steak and Marinade
- 2 ribeye steaks (16 ounces each), trimmed (or 4 steaks, 8 oz each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Roasted Garlic Butter
- 6 bulbs garlic, tops sliced off
- ¼ cup olive oil (for drizzling garlic)
- Salt and pepper, to taste (for garlic)
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste (for butter)
Roasted Asparagus
- 2 bunches asparagus, washed, dried, and trimmed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of ½ medium lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make Steak Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar or honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and ground black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting garlic and asparagus.
- Prepare Steaks: Pat the steaks dry with paper towels, gently poke them all over with a fork, then season lightly with salt.
- Marinate Steaks: Place the steaks in a gallon-size ziplock bag, pour in the marinade, seal while removing as much air as possible, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for best flavor.
- Bring Steaks to Room Temperature: Remove the marinated steaks from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Roast Garlic: Place the garlic bulbs cut side up in a cast iron skillet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour until soft and golden. Optionally flip the garlic and roast an additional 2-3 minutes to char the tops.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: Once garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze out the cloves or remove them with a fork into a bowl. Mash together with softened butter, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Clean and Heat Skillet: Wipe the cast iron skillet clean and return it to the oven to keep it hot for searing the steaks.
- Roast Asparagus: Toss asparagus with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until tender, starting this as you prepare to cook steaks.
- Prepare Steaks for Searing: Remove steaks from marinade, let excess drip off, and pat dry thoroughly to remove any marinade residue.
- Simmer Marinade (Optional): Pour remaining marinade into a small saucepan and simmer over low heat until reduced and thickened to create a sauce. This step is optional but recommended for extra flavor.
- Sear Steaks: Carefully transfer the preheated cast iron skillet from oven to stovetop over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil and sear steaks for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature 130–135°F), adjusting time for steak thickness and preference.
- Rest Steaks: Transfer steaks to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil or a paper towel, and rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Slice steaks against the grain, plate alongside roasted asparagus, and top each portion with a generous dollop of garlic herb butter. Add sides like mashed potatoes or rice if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Marinating the steaks overnight enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Bringing steaks to room temperature before cooking helps them cook evenly.
- Roasting garlic slowly yields sweet, mellow flavor perfect for the butter.
- Patting steaks dry before searing produces a nice crust and prevents steaming.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness.
- Leftover marinade should be boiled before using as sauce for safety.
- You can substitute honey for the brown sugar for a natural sweetness.
- Cast iron skillet ensures even heat retention and excellent searing.
- Resting the meat prevents juices from spilling out when sliced.
- Serve with your favorite steak sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting and Searing (Stovetop)
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: steak marinade, ribeye steak, roasted garlic butter, roasted asparagus, steak dinner, cast iron skillet, homemade steak sauce

