How to Make Grilled Steak Tips (Marinade)

What Are Steak Tips?

Steak tips are a quintessential summer dish that can be found all over New England. These tender and juicy pieces of sirloin beef are perfect for marinating and grilling, making them a backyard BBQ staple.

Sirloin steak tips are usually sold in long strips that can be cut into smaller pieces for grilling or serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Tender- Marinating steak tips in vinaigrette tenderizes them, keeping them juicy and moist during grilling.
• Flavorful- Well-marinated grilled steak tips have a delicious, complex flavor that's hard to beat.
• Easy to Make- Marinating steak tips is a simple and easy way to add flavor to your meal. And, best of all, it doesn't require any special cooking skills, techniques, or equipment.
• Versatile- Steak tips pair well with a wide variety of side dishes, meaning you can create a steak tip dinner that will please just about everyone in your family.
• Grilling Season Staple- Is it even summer if you don't make grilled steak tips? Not in my household, it isn't!

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Sirloin Steak Tips- Sirloin steak tips are a summer staple in New England. They're typically sold in long strips that can be cut into smaller "tips" for grilling. However, I suggest keeping your steak tip strips whole until after grilling for easier marinating and grilling.
• Red Wine Vinegar- Red wine vinegar is one of my favorite ingredients to use in a steak marinade, with its punchy, tangy, and slightly fruity flavor profile.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil- With its robust, peppery flavor, extra virgin olive oil is the perfect complement to the zesty tang of red wine vinegar in a steak marinade.
• Dijon Mustard- Dijon mustard adds a slightly tangy flavor and emulsifies the marinade.
• Honey- Adds sweetness to balance the vinegar's acidity.
• Garlic- Fresh garlic adds so much flavor to this homemade steak marinade. I prefer to thinly slice the garlic so that it's easier to remove before grilling.
• Italian Seasoning- Adds a savory, herby flavor to the marinade.
• Kosher Salt- Kosher salt is typically free from any added ingredients like sugar or anti-clumping agents.
• Black Pepper- Freshly ground black pepper adds a delightful spicy and peppery flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this easy grilled steak tips recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Sirloin Steak Tips- Use flank steak, skirt steak, tri-tip steak, chuck roast, filet mignon, New York strip steak, or ribeye in place of sirloin tips.
• Red Wine Vinegar- Swap red wine vinegar for white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white distilled vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Substitute extra virgin olive oil for any neutral-flavored oil you prefer. Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, or canola oil are great options.
• Dijon Mustard- Use whole grain mustard, honey mustard, yellow mustard, or brown mustard to replace dijon mustard. Alternatively, use 2 teaspoons of dry mustard powder.
• Honey- Swap honey for maple syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar, or granulated sugar. Or you can leave the sweetener out entirely if preferred.
• Garlic- Substitute fresh garlic with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Italian Seasoning- Dried oregano can be swapped for Italian seasoning. Or create your own seasoning blend with whichever dried herbs you have on hand.

Variations

• Lemon- Mix together red wine vinegar and lemon juice for a bright, citrusy steak marinade that pairs well with fresh greens and roasted vegetables.
• Balsamic- Combine red wine vinegar with balsamic vinegar for a marinade with a slightly sweeter, more complex flavor.
• Soy- Replace the kosher salt with soy sauce, the red wine vinegar with rice wine vinegar, and the Italian seasoning with ground ginger for an Asian-inspired marinade.
• Spicy- Add some heat to your steak marinade with red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño pepper.
• Smoky- Smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or adobo sauce will give the marinade a smoky and spicy flavor.

Equipment Notes

Here are some notes on any special equipment I used to make this recipe.

• Grill- I use a propane gas grill to grill my marinated steak tips.
• Meat Thermometer- Using a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the steak helps you know when it's cooked to your desired doneness.

How to Make Grilled Steak Tips

Here is how to make grilled steak tips on a gas grill.

Step 1: Make the red wine vinaigrette marinade. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients except the olive oil. Place the mixing bowl on top of a damp dish towel to keep it steady. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until smooth.

Step 3: Preheat the grill. Remove the steak tips from the refrigerator about 30 minutes prior to cooking to bring them closer to room temperature. Preheat your grill on high heat for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Grill the steak tips. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Remove the steak tips from the marinade, allowing the excess marinade to drip back into the bowl. Place the steak on the grill and close the lid. Cook steak tips for about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness. The actual cook time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired doneness.

Tips for Success

• Choose the right cut of meat. The best steak tips are made with sirloin steak, but other cuts of beef can also be used. Choose steak that is tender and flavorful with a little marbling of fat throughout.
• Cut the steak into tips after grilling. I prefer to marinate and grill my steak tips in larger strips instead of smaller pieces. This makes it easier to handle when marinating and grilling and also makes it easier to achieve your desired doneness.
• Marinate for at least 4 hours. Steak tips are often thick and benefit from a longer marinating time. I recommend at least 4 hours but overnight is even better.
• Preheat the grill. To sear the outside of the steak while keeping the inside tender and juicy, it's important to get the grill grates really hot.
• Don't overcook the steak. Overcooking the steak tips can make them tough and chewy. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak, and remove them from the grill when they reach your desired level of doneness.
• Let the steak rest after cooking. Letting the beef tips rest for a few minutes after grilling will help to keep them juicy and tender. Cover them loosely with foil to keep them warm while they rest.
• Slice against the grain. When slicing the steak tips, be sure to cut against the grain. This will help to make them more tender and easier to chew.

What to Serve With Grilled Steak Tips

Summer is the perfect time to grill up delicious steak tips and enjoy them with some mouthwatering side dishes.

A classic side that pairs well with grilled steak tips is potatoes. Whether you like them baked, mashed, roasted, or in potato salad, you really can't go wrong with steak and potatoes. Sweet potatoes are also a great option for a sweet and savory twist.

Salads are another refreshing and healthy side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled steak tips. Spinach Caprese salad, strawberry spinach salad, soba noodle salad, Caesar salad, kale salad, or a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can add a light and fresh element to the meal.

Alternatively, a hearty pasta salad or ancient grain salad can be a satisfying side that complements the grilled meat. Additionally, honey baked beans provide a sweet and tangy contrast to the rich steak tips.

Finally, pairing your succulent steak tips with grilled vegetables, such as corn on the cob, mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini, and caramelized onions, creates a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. And it's healthy, too!

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

• Refrigerator- According to the USDA, grilled steak tips can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
• Freezer- Freeze leftover steak tips by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and storing them inside a freezer-safe plastic bag or container for up to 6 months.

How to Reheat

To reheat steak, it's best to use medium-rare cooked steak. When reheating, let the leftover steak sit out to reach room temperature. This helps prevent overcooking and drying out.

• Stovetop- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little bit of oil. Once hot, add the steak tips and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through.
• Oven- Preheat your oven to 250°F. Place your steak tips on a baking sheet and cover them with foil to prevent them from drying out. Heat them for about 15-20 minutes or until they reach your desired temperature.
• Microwave- Place your steak tips on a microwave-safe dish and cover them with a damp paper towel or lid. Heat on HIGH for 30-60 seconds or until they are hot.
• Grill- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Add the steak tips and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until they are warmed through.
• Air Fryer- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the leftover steak tips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Heat for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Make Ahead

Make the red wine vinaigrette marinade ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. This saves time and effort, especially if you're meal prepping or hosting a backyard barbecue.

Frequently Asked Questions

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