Injecting a steak with marinade using a culinary needle and attached plunger allows the marinade to penetrate deeper into the steak for increased flavor and tenderness. Single-hole and multiple-hole injection needles are available. The multiple-hole needles disperse marinade into more areas of the steak for even marinating and taste. Marinating a steak by injecting it allows the marinade to absorb into the steak versus the marinade settling on the surface of the steak.
Step 1
Select a marinade injector with more than one hole along the sides of the needle. This allows more marinade to disperse throughout the meat at various angles.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Make or purchase about 2 oz. of liquid marinade per pound of steak. Prepare a liquid marinade with ingredients such as olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper or use a pre-made, store-bought marinade. Blend the marinade in a blender to get herbs and spices into a liquid form, so the marinade can pass through the tip of the injector and into the meat.
Step 3
Place the steak on a plate. Pour the marinade into a bowl. Turn the needle clockwise onto the plunger it to tighten it.
Step 4
Place the needle in the marinade so all the holes along the needle are submerged in the marinade. Pull the plunger of the injector towards you to draw the marinade into the plunger. Keep pulling the plunger until it fills.
Step 5
Slowly penetrate the middle of the steak with the needle so the needle is about halfway through the thickness of the steak. Push down on the plunger slowly to release the marinade into the steak, while pulling the needle out of the steak at a slow rate. Repeat this step to the left and right of the original entry point on the steak. This allows the marinade to reach all parts of the steak.
Step 6
Place the meat in the refrigerator to absorb the marinade for at least 4 hours before cooking it.
Video of the Day