Nothing beats the flavour of a perfectly marinated steak sizzling on the braai. Marinating your steak enhances its natural flavours and tenderises it, ensuring a delicious experience. Here’s how to create the perfect marinade for your braai this weekend:

Basics of Marinades for Steak

A steak marinade typically consists of:

1. Acid: Tenderises the meat by breaking down fibres. Use ingredients like brown vinegar, white vinegar, citrus juice or wine.
2. Oil: Keeps the meat moist and helps carry the flavours. Olive oil and vegetable oil works well.
3. Flavourings: Herbs, spices, garlic, soya sauce and Worcester sauce can add strong flavours to your steak.

Steps to Marinating Steak

1. Choose your steak: Rump, sirloin and T-bone are excellent choices.
2. Prepare the marinade: Combine your acidic ingredient, oil and flavourings. For example, mix olive oil, vinegar, garlic, rosemary and your desired spice.
3. Marinate the steak: Place the steak in a suitable bag or dish, pour the marinade over it and ensure it's well-coated.
4. Marinating time: Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours.
5. Time to braai: Let the steak come to room temperature before the braai. Discard the used marinade or boil it for a sauce.

Tips for Perfectly Marinated Steak

• Don't overdo it: Too much time in a marinade can make the meat mushy.
• Use fresh ingredients: Fresh herbs and garlic infuse more flavour.
• Balance the flavours: Ensure a balance of acidity, sweetness, saltiness and spice.
• Experiment: Try different ingredients and combinations.
  
  

Try Jamie Oliver's favourite marinade for the perfect braai:

• The day before, or at least a few hours before braaiing, place a 600 to 700 g fillet steak (or any cut you prefer) in a sealable sandwich bag.
• Add 120 to 150 ml Worcestershire sauce, 2 heaped teaspoons of French mustard, 2 finely chopped sprigs of fresh rosemary, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
• Squeeze out the air, seal the bag, and massage the marinade into the meat. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
• 1½ hours before braaiing, remove the steak from the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
• Pat the steak dry with kitchen paper and braai to your liking.

Visit www.hinterland.co.za to find the following products that will help you marinate and braai the perfect steak: