I’ve been making this sugar-free steak marinade for years, and it’s become my go-to whenever I’m craving a perfectly seasoned piece of meat without any added sweetness. The combination of liquid aminos and smoked paprika creates such a rich, savory flavor that you honestly won’t miss the sugar at all. Trust me, once you try this simple marinade, you’ll be using it on repeat!
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Total Time | 35-45 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 0.75 cups of marinade |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 120-150
- Protein: 0-1 g
- Fat: 27-30 g
- Carbohydrates: 6-9 g
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup liquid aminos
- 3 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Step 1: Combine Marinade Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup liquid aminos
- 3 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
In a bowl or container, whisk together the cider vinegar, liquid aminos, and avocado oil to create an emulsified base.
Add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt, stirring until all spices are fully dissolved and distributed throughout the liquid.
I like to let the marinade sit for a minute after mixing so the spices fully bloom and release their flavors into the oil and vinegar base.
Step 2: Marinate the Steak
- marinade mixture from Step 1
Place your steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade from Step 1 over it, ensuring the meat is fully coated on all sides.
For best results, marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes for a quick flavor infusion, or up to 24 hours for deeper penetration.
I find that flipping the steak halfway through marinating ensures even flavor distribution, especially if marinating for longer periods.
Step 3: Cook the Steak to Desired Doneness
Remove the steak from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature, which ensures even cooking.
Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade, then cook it using your preferred method (grilling, pan-searing, or broiling) to your desired doneness.
Let the cooked steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to retain its juices and tenderness.
Simple Sugar Free Steak Marinade
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl or container, whisk together the cider vinegar, liquid aminos, and avocado oil to create an emulsified base. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt, stirring until all spices are fully dissolved and distributed throughout the liquid. I like to let the marinade sit for a minute after mixing so the spices fully bloom and release their flavors into the oil and vinegar base.
- Place your steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade from Step 1 over it, ensuring the meat is fully coated on all sides. For best results, marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes for a quick flavor infusion, or up to 24 hours for deeper penetration. I find that flipping the steak halfway through marinating ensures even flavor distribution, especially if marinating for longer periods.
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature, which ensures even cooking. Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade, then cook it using your preferred method (grilling, pan-searing, or broiling) to your desired doneness. Let the cooked steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to retain its juices and tenderness.