Hi everyone, I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day!
Despite some less than stellar weather, I had an awesome extended weekend spending time with friends in Chicago!
Friday morning I was on the road at the crack of dawn to kick off girl’s weekend with two of my besties in Wicker Park. We took in a show at Second City, shopped, and played tourists, making sure to stop at “The Bean.” I’ve been to Chicago more times than I can count but have never seen the famous reflective sculpture in Millennium Park. I think it’s actually supposed to be a water droplet, but to me it’s “the bean”. ;)
One evening we decided to cook at home and put my friend Natalie on steak duty. She whipped up the most INCREDIBLE 3-ingredient Dijon-Brown Sugar Marinated Steak recipe that you need to make ASAP! This recipe could. not. be. simpler. Just slather steaks in a simple three-ingredient marinade then grill to juicy perfection. You will devour this savory-sweet steak.
First, the marinade: extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. That’s it! (Oh and some salt and pepper.)
Start by placing 1lb of your favorite steak in a shallow dish. We had tip steaks this weekend, and I used flat iron steak when I made this at home. Flat iron is a bit tougher than a New York Strip, for example, but it’s inexpensive and if you cook it very quickly over high heat, then slice against the grain, it’s stellar.
Use whatever you want though. If I was going all out I’d use a ribeye.
Next add 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, and lots of salt and pepper.Â
Rub the marinade all over the steak then cover and marinate for 1-4 hours. You want a nice, thick coating on the outside of the steak.
When it’s time to eat, pull the steak out of the fridge to get the chill off for 10-15 minutes then crank the grill up to high and cook to your preferred level of doneness.
Let the steak rest off the heat for 5-7 minutes BEFORE you cut in. If you cut the steak too soon all the juices will come running out and you’ll have shoe leather. No bueno. After letting it rest, carve and eat up!
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Dijon-Brown Sugar Marinated Steak
Description
Dijon-Brown Sugar Marinated Steak is just three ingredients that add mouthwatering flavor to any cut of steak.
Ingredients
- 1lb steak (flat iron, flank, ribeye, tip)
- 1 Tablespoon virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- salt and pepper (lots)
Directions
- Place steak in a large shallow dish. Add oil, mustard, brown sugar, and lots of salt and pepper then rub into steak and marinate for 1-4 hours.
- Let steak rest out of fridge for 10-15 minutes then heat grill to high and grill to preferred doneness. Let rest 5-7 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make sure grill grates are clean and carefully brush with canola or vegetable oil before grilling to prevent sticking.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I seriously think this will be my go-to seasoning for grilled steaks from now on. The savory flavor of the mustard paired with the caramelized sweetness from the brown sugar is just ridiculous. So easy, plus I always have the ingredients on hand!
I served my steak with Roasted Potato Coins. That’s just petite Idaho potatoes sliced into coins then tossed with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper and roasted at 425 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping half way through. Delicious!
Hope you enjoy!
Ooo! I want to sink my chompers right into that gorgeous steak!
There’s nothing like a big juicy steak! This looks tremendous and perfect for the grill….
Looks so good! I am always looking for hubby pleasing recipes and this definitely fits the bill! Thanks for sharing!
This looks delicious. One quick question: do you just rub the marinade on one side or both?
Sorry I forgot to take a pic of that step – rub it all over on both sides!
Love how simple but delicious this recipe looks :)
I just recently subscribed to your blog & to my amazement today when I checked my emails there you were in Chicago this weekend. I grew up in NE Iowa (look at my email address for the town) & have lived in a SW suburb of Chicago for a little over 20 years. I am 1/2 hr. from the loop (downtown). You are correct on the bean! :)
Any time I see or hear anything about the best state in the US of A I have to check it out & that’s how I came across your blog. Due to a life changing event (divorce) I might be moving back to my hometown in Iowa. My daughter is 22 & is starting her own life so now it’s time for me to start anew as well on my own. I have two four-legged boys that are a constant in my life thank goodness. They are 8 yr. old Frenchtons, Boston Terrier/French Bulldog mix brothers. Beauregard Mugsy or Beau for short & Brutus Maximus or Brutus. They keep me smiling & laughing! /(^-^)\
Can’t wait to see what else you have in store with your blog! Your photography is awesome & the simplicity of this recipe makes my mouth water! :) Yes I will admit I am a “food” challenged person, so I’m hoping to become inspired by you!
I look forward to future recipes from “Iowa Girl Eats”!
So glad you found your way over, Ann, and that I can provide a little taste of home! :)
I’d love to visit Chicago! Looks fun and that food is making my mouth water.
Sounds like such a fun weekend and this steak sounds awesome! I mean brown sugar! Come on that is just awesome and genius!
Hmmm…I might have to try this with my newest OBSESSION – smoked brown sugar from The Smoked Olive! I think my family is getting a little tired of me putting smoked brown sugar on everything!
Ooo that sounds so good!!
Love this marinade! Ive tried something similar, so I can imagine how good this is! Can’t wait to try it!!
I noticed that you had the Kirkland brand of olive oil. I’m completely lost when it comes to buying olive oil, so I tend to overpay for it because I associate a high price with good quality.
What do you think about the Kirkland brand olive oil?
Eh, it’s just ok. I actually really like Trader Joe’s brand extra virgin olive oil. It’s inexpensive and very good!
Hi Kristen, Was looking for some marinade recipes and stumbled onto your site. Love it! I grew up in a little town NW of Chicago so can really relate.
But, I moved to NO. California after graduating from U of Ill. and love it here for the outdoor opportunities. This is where I really got into cooking.
As for you steak marinade I’ve been using it for years for grilling salmon (wild king salmon that I catch–so much better pen- raised color-added stuff you get at the super market salmon). Just baste it on rather than marinade. As for olive oil, sadly a lot of that expensive imported stuff is really cheap oil and not the good stuff according to a critique I read. The article found that did quality testing on a number of imported and domestic olive oils found there was a higher percentage of good quality olive oil coming from the US (mostly California’s Central Valley) than imported. And, YES! to Trader Joe’s–for lots of high quality products at reasonable prices.
As a vegetarian, I do not eat steak…but those potato coins! Wow, those look amazing!
The steak looks great and I love easy recipes! Looks like you had fun in Chicago!
This steak looks a-mazing. I’ve been in a little recipe rut lately but this sucker looks like it’ll do just fine ;) Plus, you’ve reminded me to roast up some yummy potatoes before it gets too hot to roast anything.
You’ve mentioned cutting against the grain before in meats — curious what the reasoning is?
I’d be okay with an updated baby bump picture :)
Glad you left IA this weekend. We camped at Saylorville and just about floated away!
Slice the steak against the grain to get a really tender cut. If you cut it with the grain it will be more tough and chewy!
This looks so yummy! This weekend I made your mini chicken gyro sliders – wonderful!
That sounds amazing, and only three ingredients?! Sold! I will have to try this on the grill next weekend!
I swear I sat at a table next to your hubby in Galena, IL this weekend! Doppelganger?
If he was with 3 other guys, it was most likely him! They were on a guys golf weekend! :)
Definitely him! Too bad about all the rain. I’m sure he still had fun! It’s a beautiful place no matter what.
we went to chicago too over the weekend…it was chilly but sunny :) what a great city!
Looks like you had a great weekend. Love those mini cupcakes!
Steak looks wonderful, going to try it when the weather finally allows some grilling!