Tender Grilled Steak Marinated in Yogurt (Recipe & Tips)

One dish that has never failed to tantalize my taste buds is the tender grilled steak tips marinated in yogurt.

I’ve been making this recipe for years and experimented with different yogurts and herbs to find what works best with steak tips.

The magic begins with succulent steak tips bathed in a velvety yogurt marinade.

It may sound like an unconventional combo, but it creates a divine harmony of tenderness and tanginess.

Join me on this gastronomic voyage and learn how to transform an ordinary steak into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes plus marinating time
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes plus marinating time
• Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 5 lbs sirloin steak tips

Marinade ingredients:

• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

1. Take out a medium bowl and mix the yogurt, paprika, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, and olive oil. Transfer the mixture into a ziplock bag and add the meat. Shake up the bag so the steak tips are completely covered in marinade.
2. Leave the steak bites to marinate for at least one hour, ideally overnight. Flip the bag on the other side halfway through marinating.
3. An hour or half an hour before grilling, take the steak bites out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature so they cook evenly.
4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and place steaks on the grill using tongs. You can add more salt and pepper to the steaks. Grill for four to three minutes per side.
5. Remove steaks from the grill and place them on a plate or a serving dish. Let them rest for 10 minutes so the juices redistribute.
6. Serve marinated steak tips with your favorite vegetables (cherry tomatoes and bell peppers pair great), rice, mashed potatoes, and your favorite sauce.

Related Articles: 

• Fred's Steak Recipe
• Steak Ala Mama Recipe

Recipe Notes

Here’s what to keep in mind when making yogurt marinated steep tips:

• Choose the right cut of steak — Opt for a tender cut of steak, such as sirloin, ribeye, or filet mignon, for the best results. These cuts will become incredibly tender when marinated and grilled.
• Marinating time —Marinate the steak tips for at least one hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the yogurt sauce and seasonings to penetrate the meat and impart maximum flavor.
• Make sure not to skip the salt — Salt not only adds flavor but also helps tenderize the meat. Include salt in your marinade, but avoid over-salting, as the yogurt will already contain some natural saltiness.
• Save some marinade —Before marinating the steak, set aside a small portion of the yogurt marinade. This reserved marinade can be used for basting the steak while grilling, which ensures a more robust flavor.
• Preheat the grill — Make sure your grill is properly preheated before adding the steak. A hot grill will help sear the meat, locking in juices and creating those beautiful grill marks.
• Don't overcook — Steak tips cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them. Grill for just a few minutes on each side, depending on your desired level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure you reach the perfect internal temperature (e.g., 135°F/57°C for medium-rare) [1].
• Rest the steak bites — Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes after grilling. This lets all the juices redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier steak.
• Cook in a grill pan — If the weather is bad, or you don’t feel like grilling, you can get similar results by cooking the steak tips in a grill pan on medium-high heat.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 310
• Total Carbs: 6.2g
• Protein: 26.4g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Net Carbs: 2g

What Type of Yogurt to Use for Marinade?

The best type of yogurt to use for marinade is plain, full-fat yogurt. It’s thick and creamy, which helps the marinade stick to the meat.

It doesn’t have any additional flavors or ingredients, which lets the natural steak flavors shine through.

Also, yogurt has natural enzymes and acidity that tenderize the meat, which makes it more succulent and flavorful [2].

“As a marinade, plain yogurt tenderizes poultry or meat thanks to the same bacteria that helps your digestive tract stay healthy when you eat a cupful.”

- American Institute for Cancer Research

However, there are a few other types of yogurt you can use for marinating steak, such as:

• • Greek yogurt — Plain Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt due to the straining process, which makes it an excellent choice for marinating steak. It has similar benefits in terms of tenderness and moisture retention as full-fat yogurt.
  • Low-fat yogurt — If you're watching your calorie intake and want less saturated fat, use low-fat yogurt. It’s not as creamy as full-fat yogurt, but it can still add flavor and moisture to the meat.
  • Flavored yogurt — For example, with honey, fruit, vanilla, etc. It can be used if you're looking for a unique flavor twist. Keep in mind that the sweetness and additional ingredients in flavored yogurts may alter the final taste of your dish, so choose flavors that complement the steak.
  • Plant-based yogurts — You can use plant-based yogurt alternatives such as almond, soy, or coconut yogurt. Keep in mind that the flavor profile will differ from traditional yogurt.
  • Spiced yogurt — Adds an extra layer of flavor to your steak. You can mix plain yogurt with spices and herbs to create a custom marinade that suits your taste. Common additions include garlic, ginger, cumin, paprika, and herbs like cilantro or mint.

My advice is to start with plain yogurt and season it with your favorite carnivore diet herbs and spices.

FAQs

References:

1. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/To-what-temperature-should-I-cook-beef
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030291783100