The secret to barbecuing marinated beef

Marinades are a great way to add a flavour twist to barbecued beef – not to tenderise them like many think. Read on to find the secret to barbecuing marinated beef just perfectly.

How much marinade

How long to marinate the beef

How to barbecue marinated beef

• Take the meat from the marinade and lightly blot dry with kitchen paper before barbecuing. This helps the beef brown well.
• Don’t pour marinade over the meat while it cooks. This makes the beef stew and causes flare-ups.
• Brush the beef with a little marinade as it cooks. This keeps the meat moist. Don't brush marinade on the beef during the last minutes of cooking.
• Never pour raw, leftover marinade over cooked meat. Boil leftover marinade for a few minutes before pouring it over the beef.
• Cook the beef once only on each side. The more you turn, the tougher it gets.
• Let the beef rest for 2 to 4 minutes. This allows the meat juices to relax and re-distribute which keeps it tender and juicy.

Tasty beef marinade combos

• Spicy tomato marinade - Grate half a large onion, cook with 1 tbsp of oil and 1 tbsp of crushed garlic. Add 1 tsp of dry mustard, 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup tomato paste and ½ cup water. Simmer for 10 minutes, stir occasionally.
• Mediterranean marinade - Combine 3 cloves of crushed garlic, ½ cup tomato paste, 2 tsp dried oregano, ¼ cup of oil and ¼ cup of red wine. Mix well.
• Honey, garlic and chilli marinade - Combine 2 tbsp of tomato sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp crushed garlic and 1tsp chopped chilli. Mix well.
• Lemon and garlic marinade - Mix the juice of 1 small lemon with 1½ tsp of salt and pepper, 2 tsp dried oregano and 2-3 crushed garlic cloves.
• Soy marinade - Combine soy sauce, a little honey and orange juice. Mix well.
• Red wine and mustard marinade - Combine tomato sauce, a little red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard. Mix well.
• Lemon and olive oil marinade - Mix a little olive oil, lemon juice and dried oregano and/or rosemary.
• Asian marinade - Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Mix well.
  
  
  

 Also read more on

• How to tell when your beef steak is done
• The secret to barbecuing marinated beef
• How to make tasty beef burgers
• How and why we 'rest' meat after cooking