The Refreshing Beverage That Doubles As A Perfect Steak Marinade

Some purists swear that salt and pepper alone are sufficient seasoning for steak, but unique steak marinades can put a tasty spin on dinner. Depending on the ingredients, a marinade can make beef more tender and flavorful. Sweet tea checks all the boxes. The drink contains all the ideal marinade components (salt, sugar, and acid) for tender, juicy results. 

The key is black tea's high tannin content. As the steak marinates, the tea breaks down its muscle proteins, softening its texture. The tea's mild acidity acts as a second natural tenderizer (other acidic drinks have the same effect; for instance, Sprite is a great steak tenderizer). The sugar in sweet tea is significant, too; it melts and turns sticky as the steak cooks, resulting in caramelization and better browning. Sugar can also round out the intensity of a marinade's other components. 

To create a sweet tea marinade at home, start by brewing strong black tea for maximum flavor (or use prepared sweet tea). Add salt, which is essential for flavor and moisture retention, sugar (if using homemade tea) to taste, and any desired spices. Once it's cool, douse the steak to marinate it. Larger steaks (or tougher cuts) should sit for at least two hours, while smaller  or more tender cuts can marinate in about one hour. Alternatively, some recipes use finely cut black tea leaves in a dry rub instead of brewed tea.

Steak aside, sweet tea is used for brining and marinating chicken for similar reasons: moisture, tenderness, flavor, and caramelization. Red Diamond sweet tea is a solid option for chicken or beef. Milo's famous sweet tea is another brand that pairs well with steak. Lapsang Souchong, a smoky black tea from China, is also popular with home cooks as either a steak marinade or a rub. Just be sure to salt the steak or sweet tea marinade for balance. 

Tougher cuts of beef with less fat will benefit most from a sweet tea marinade. Skirt steak in particular boasts a loose grain that allows marinades to deeply penetrate the meat, resulting in more flavor. Sirloin is a solid, affordable option, well-suited to a weeknight dinner, and like flank steak, its natural toughness is prime for tenderizing and can marinate for several hours. Flat iron steak's ample marbling makes it an impressive option for hosting.

If you're committed to brewing your own tea for the marinade, this copycat McDonald's sweet tea recipe forgoes add-ins like lemon and mint to keep it as simple as possible. As for how to cook the steak, consider this grilled flank steak recipe or a tender sirloin steak recipe, which is pan-fried. Both come together fairly quickly and are crowned with herby compound butter.