Can I Use Worcestershire Sauce as a Marinade? + Tenderizing Worcestershire Sauce Marinade Recipe
Worcestershire sauce is a savory, umami flavored condiment. It is a thin runny brown liquid and a little goes a long way.
It is often associated with steak sauce but can you use Worcestershire sauce as a marinade for meat?
Worcestershire sauce can serve as a tenderizing marinade for beef, pork and chicken dishes. It has an acidic element to it which helps break down the muscle fibers in the meat making it more tender and dish a unique depth of umami flavor.
In this article, I’m sharing my super easy Worcestershire marinade recipe which gives meat a classic savory taste.
It can be used for all types of meat whether you’re planning to roast, bake, or grill.
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- 1 Can Worcestershire sauce be used as a marinade?
- 2 Worcestershire sauce meat marinade
- 3 Can you use Worcestershire sauce on beef?
- 4 Can you use Worcestershire sauce on pork chops?
- 5 Can you use Worcestershire sauce on salmon?
- 6 Can you use Worcestershire sauce on chicken?
- 7 How long to marinate steak in Worcestershire sauce?
- 8 Takeaway
Can Worcestershire sauce be used as a marinade?
Yes, it can be used as a marinade. Worcestershire sauce contains an acidity that helps break down the muscle fibers of the meat and tenderize it while also adding flavor. It is especially good with beef dishes.
Pitmasters like to mix Worcestershire with other ingredients to create the perfect marinade for meat, especially BBQ dishes.
There are many different marinade recipes for steaks and other meats online.
Worcestershire sauce is traditionally used as a steak marinade, and this marinade calls for the sauce to be combined with oil, sugar (or brown sugar), vinegar, and a number of spices.
Beer or bourbon, garlic, honey, lime or pineapple juice, onions, red chilies, soy sauce, and a host of other ingredients can all be used in a marinade.
Recipes can call for anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce in the marinade.
Worcestershire sauce meat marinade
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup EVOO extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper and salt.
- Place the meat in a shallow dish and cover with the marinade. Turn to coat evenly. Alternatively, you can place the meat in a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it, massaging the bag to
- Place in the refrigerator and leave to marinate for up to 12 hours, turning occasionally.
- When ready to cook, remove the meat from the marinade and cook according to your recipe instructions.
- Discard the remaining marinade. Do not use it on the cooked meat as it contains raw ingredients.
Cooking tips & variations
This marinade is easy to make and flavorful with a hint of sweetness from the balsamic vinegar. The Worcestershire sauce adds a savory umami flavor to the meat, while the garlic and spices give it an extra kick.
The marinade can be used for any type of meat, such as steak, pork chops, chicken breasts, or even fish fillets.
Even if you marinate steak in the special Worcestershire sauce marinade, you can still add more spices right before placing the meat on the grill.
The marinade doesn’t overwhelm the flavor of the meat, but adds a delicious depth.
Adding additional spices will bring out the flavors in the marinade. Try adding cumin, paprika, oregano or thyme to your marinade for a special flavors.
You can also switch up the spices and herbs to suit your taste. Some dried rosemary, dill, or even chili powder can be added for a flavor boost.
If you want a bit more flavor, you can add in a tbsp of Dijon mustard, 1 tsp of Worcestershire powder or a few drops of liquid smoke to your marinade.
Some people also prefer to add 1 tsp of miso paste instead of soy sauce.
For a sweeter marinade, add in some honey or brown sugar to the mix. The possibilities are endless!
The marinade works best when the meat is left to marinate for at least two hours, but if you’re short on time, 30 minutes should be enough for the flavors to penetrate.
Looking for more? Here are the top 9 recipes to make with Worcestershire sauce listed
Can you use Worcestershire sauce on beef?
Beef and Worcestershire sauce is the best pairing.
Beef is a great source of protein, and Worcestershire sauce provides it with an incomparable savory flavor.
After all, Worcestershire sauce is meant for beef!
The Worcestershire sauce marinade will give the beef a deep, rich flavor.
Worcestershire sauce can also be used as an ingredient in sauces or glazes for beef dishes.
For example, you could mix together equal parts Worcestershire sauce and ketchup with a splash of white wine and a pinch of garlic powder to make a simple BBQ sauce.
Or you could combine equal parts Worcestershire sauce and melted butter with minced garlic and fresh herbs for a delicious glaze.
The grill isn’t your only option for cooking steaks.
You could try braising a thick cut of steak or roast in beef broth with some onions, green peppers, spices, and a quarter cup of Worcestershire sauce in a slow cooker.
After marinating the beef for at least an hour or overnight in the sauce, pour the sauce into a pan and bring it to a boil to intensify the flavor.
The beef should be browned on both sides before it is added to the Crock-Pot along with the heated sauce.
Turn the Crock-Pot to high and let it cook for three to four hours.
You can also add the Worcestershire sauce straight into the pan as you sear beef – it’s a quick kind of marinade that will tenderize the meat.
Also try this tender and umami flavoured Adobo Steak Recipe (Beef tenderloin with soy sauce, vinegar & honey)
Can you use Worcestershire sauce on pork chops?
Yes, you can use Worcestershire sauce on pork chops. The same marinade recipe mentioned above is suitable for pork chops as well.
Marinate the pork chops for at least an hour in the fridge and cook them either on a grill or in a pan.
Worcestershire sauce can also be used in a number of different sauces and glazes for pork dishes.
For example, you could mix equal parts Worcestershire sauce with melted butter to make a simple basting sauce for grilled or roasted pork chops or tenderloin.
You could also combine Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard and brown sugar for an easy BBQ sauce.
So as you can see, Worcestershire sauce can be used in a variety of ways when it comes to cooking pork chops.
With the right marinade recipe or glaze, it can add a unique and delicious flavor to your favorite pork dishes.
Give it a try and see what you come up with!
If you like your pork chops crispy, you will love Japanese katsu cutlets (recipe here)!
Can you use Worcestershire sauce on salmon?
Yes, you can use Worcestershire sauce on salmon.
For a quick and easy marinade, combine 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder and a pinch of fresh cracked black pepper.
Place the salmon in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Let the salmon marinate for 30 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator, turning it occasionally.
When ready to cook, preheat your oven or grill to medium-high heat and place the salmon on a lightly oiled baking sheet or grill grate.
Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping the salmon halfway through.
When finished cooking, the salmon should be lightly charred on the outside and flaky in the middle.
You can also use Worcestershire sauce as an ingredient in a glaze.
For example, combine equal parts Worcestershire sauce and honey with minced garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Brush the glaze over the salmon during the last few minutes of cooking. The Worcestershire sauce adds a savory flavor to the honey-lemon glaze that pairs perfectly with salmon.
However, I would recommend a miso glaze for salmon because the umami flavor of the miso works especially well with fish.
Can you use Worcestershire sauce on chicken?
Yes, you can use Worcestershire sauce on chicken. The chicken’s bland flavor will be transformed by the Worcestershire sauce marinade, yielding a juicy and flavorful meal.
Chicken doesn’t require as long to marinate as other meats, so you can mix the marinade up and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
However, I still recommend a few hours of marinating the meat with the Worcestershire mixture.
Chicken and Worcestershire is a pretty good pairing.
The sweet and sour flavor of the Worcestershire sauce adds an intense flavor to chicken and it can be paired perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes.
You can also use Worcestershire sauce to make a glaze for chicken wings or drumsticks.
Simply mix equal parts Worcestershire sauce and honey with a pinch of garlic powder, ground cumin and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Brush the glaze over the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking for a delicious and savory meal.
How long to marinate steak in Worcestershire sauce?
It is best to marinate steak in Worcestershire sauce for at least two hours.
However, to get the most flavorful steak, marinate the meat for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer the steak is marinated, the more intense and flavorful it will be.
Worcestershire sauce contains vinegar and that helps breaks down the proteins in the steak, resulting in a more tender and flavorful piece of meat.
The other ingredients like garlic, onion and spices add even more flavor to the steak.
But it’s best to avoid marinating the meat for more than 24 hours or the proteins will break down and the meat can become too mushy.
Takeaway
Worcestershire sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used to add flavor to just about any type of meat or vegetable dish.
It is an essential part of a marinade and can also be used to make a delicious glaze.
Whether you’re using it on pork, salmon, chicken or steak, Worcestershire sauce is sure to add some delightful flavor to your meal.
Just remember that the longer you marinate, the more intense and flavorful the meat will be. Enjoy!
Next, find out why Worcestershire became so popular all over the world and how it’s made
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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
