Southern Cuisine: Holle's Red Wine Marinade for Steaks
By habee
BBQ cooking and grilling tips: marinades
I really like BBQ cooking steaks. A nice thick T-bone, ribeye, Porterhouse, filet, or New York strip on the grill is my idea of a great meal! I like mine Pittsburg rare – a little charred on the outside and red on the inside. Yum! Of course, the problem is the price. Choice steaks are expensive these days. The grocery stores around here often have lower grades of meat at reasonable prices, but it’s hit or miss with them. Sometimes you end up with a tender, juicy piece of beef, and sometimes you end up with veritable shoe leather. You could always go with inexpensive cuts of beef, too, but you run into the same inconsistency. Sirloin, round steak, flank steak, eye of round, and eye of chuck can be wonderful on the grill or practically inedible. So what’s a savvy consumer to do? How do you make cheap steaks tasty?
My answer to this dilemma is to use a great marinade, and it just so happens that I came up with one last year that’s the best I’ve ever used. I bought some cheap T-bones with little marbling, at a big discount. I knew the steaks would be tough, so I set out to tenderize them. They turned out to be the best steaks we have ever eaten. Ever! And believe me, I’ve eaten a lot of steaks. I used to be married to a cattle rancher, and I know my beef.
Try my method and my marinade. I think you’ll like it!
Holle’s Red Wine Marinade
What you’ll need:
Steaks
Commercial meat tenderizer
Italian dressing (NOT low fat or fat free)
Cheap red wine (I use Manischewitz concord grape)
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh minced garlic
Your favorite dried or fresh herbs
Directions:
Rinse steaks. Pierce all over with a fork, on both sides. Generously sprinkle meat tenderizer on the meat. Rub some of the dressing into the meat. Do this on both sides.
Let steaks sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Place steaks in the bottom of a plastic container with a lid.
Pour wine over the steaks.
Add the onion rings and the garlic.
Refrigerate overnight.
Remove steaks from marinade and discard the marinade. Grill steaks over medium-hot coals.
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Comments
Okay. Give me directions. I know how to get to Richmond Hill. Ha! Scared ya, didn't I?? You wouldn't like me - I'm fat! Too much good cookin'. I'd make you fat, too!
Won't I have to fly to get to the Casbah??? I don't really like flying. Could we cruise instead?
I always look forward to these dishes you prepare. I may not cook them but they sure tingle my senses. Truthfully since my daughter is the cook, AI always mention these to her. She has a good memory for recipes. Yum YUm YUm..
Oh, thanks, E! I like to read recipes, too - even if I'm not planning on cooking them!
I told you ages ago to stop but would you listen, no. Here you are with another great recipe.
I'm sorry, HH! It's an addiction!
Habee, This recipe rocks. Thanks!
More yummy food hmmm
Thanks, Bpop!
Hi, Ethel. Thanks for reading!
I love steak. T-bone and ribeye is my favorite. The only way I cook these are on the grill with montreal steak seasoning. The flavors are spectacular. I know what you mean about the cheap cuts of steak. My wife did a little marinade using spices of the orient on some tender loin. Well, I told her I didn't think it could hurt them. I was skeptical on taste. We broiled these in the oven. To my surprise very tasty. Typically, I don't like marinading anything (ususally too starchy for me). But your Italian dressing, meat tenderizer, etc., 15min, is something I'll have to try. I liked your article, because I too love a good steak. I think you just inspired me to write an article on outdoor barbeque.
Hi, Wood. I use the Montreal seasoning sometimes on a good steak. For the cheapos, though, I have to tenderize them some. Looking forward to your BBQ hub!
Oh Habee,looks like you are a great cook! The recipe is simple but guaranteed mouth-watering satisfaction.
Mama, try it - you'll like it! Thanks for reading!
Hmrjmr1 2 years ago
habee - ditch that other guy and run away with me to the Casbah!! I love your cookin!!