Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin Recipe

If you have been looking for the perfect sirloin steak marinade, you can stop right here. Just think, balsamic + whiskey + grilled sirloin! The Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin steak is top notch and delicious.

Make sure you PIN Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin! 

In just under 30 minutes, this tender and juicy Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin is grilled and ready to eat. Grilling steak was never so easy!

Under 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes to get a tender, flavorful piece of beef on the grill? Yes, it is 100% percent possible. The best of balsamic steak marinade and whiskey marinade all in one! 

The first step is start with a good cut of beef. The sirloin steak is my choice for this recipe because it is already tender and juicy, but is also not too fatty and slices well for serving. You can also use a skirt steak, tri-tip or flank steak. Other cuts like a London broil are thicker and less expensive, but might require longer marinating time and be a bit chewy. 

What is the sirloin cut? The sirloin is cut from the same area as the T-Bone and Porterhouse. It is fairly tender without needing much marinating time or extra TLC, making it ideal for quick marinades, rubs and meals that don’t require much time. 

You can also use this recipe on single steak cuts like New York Strip steaks or even a rib eye. 

The whiskey infuses the sirloin with its strong and sweet flavor. The edges and the thinner parts of the steak will be packed with flavor while the thicker sections will be pure beef.

The beauty of this is recipe is the short marination time. If you leave it too long, the flavors of the whiskey and the balsamic vinegar will overpower the steak and actually start to make it more chewy instead of fork tender and juicy. 

During the marination, the acidity from both the whiskey and the balsamic vinegar work to tenderize the sirloin. Translation: succulent, juicy steak! 

PRO TIP: The only way to truly tell how your steak is cooked is to check the internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer for best results. 

Balsamic vinegar works similarly to brown sugar. When you throw is on a hot grill, those natural sugars will make beautiful grill marks regardless of if you are using a charcoal grill or gas. Don’t get me started on that debate… 

If you don’t have a grill, you can transform this grilled sirloin steak into a sirloin roast recipe. Follow the same instructions and cooking times only swap out the grill for the broiler.

Be sure to use the second rack from the top and be sure to keep the door cracked a touch so you can keep an eye on things. Also be sure to properly ventilate as to not set off your smoke detectors.

PRO TIP: Always slice beef against the grain. It shortens the fibers, making it even more succulent and easy to chew. 

If you enjoy your meat cooked rare, you may not cook the alcohol out of the whiskey.  Best to cook this recipe medium rare to keep the whiskey flavor without the bite of the alcohol.

If you don’t want to risk it, simmer the whiskey in a small saucepan and fully cool before adding it to the marinade. You don’t want to cook your steak during the marinating process.

PRO TIP: Don’t use an expensive whiskey for this recipe. Use the cheap kind and leave the expensive aged stuff for sipping. I generally use Jack Daniels. Same with the balsamic vinegar, use a cheaper bread for marinades and balsamic reduction sauces. 

If you are serving children, don’t drink alcohol or are pregnant, I would recommend this technique no matter how you like your steak cooked just to be safe. 

Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin can be served as the main entree, over salad like my Peach Salad, or even cubed in a stir fry or on top of a baked potato. It also makes excellent leftovers. 

If you liked this Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin recipe, make sure you check out these other easy sirloin steak recipes:

• Insane Steak Sandwiches
• BBQ Asian Sirloin
• Honey Steak
• Grilled Carne Asada

Tools for making beef on the grill:

9 x 13 Glass Baking Dish– an absolute essential for any kitchen! Use it for baking, marinating or storing. Get one with a lid, you’ll thank me later. You can also use airtight plastic bags. 

Grilling Tools- Duh. You’ll need some grilling tools to grill! 

Tips for perfectly grilled steaks, no matter the cut: 

ONE. Make sure your grill is clean! 

TWO. Remove your steaks from the refrigerator before cooking. If the center is too cold, it won’t cook or even heat by the time the exterior is seared. It doesn’t need to be room temperature, but you want to “take the chill off”, as my husband would say. 

THREE. Searing develops flavor, however it doesn’t seal in the juices. Searing on high heat changes the chemical makeup of your beef and also the flavor. A nice sear will caramelize flavors and proteins creating a multifaceted flavor for your beef. 

FOUR. For a nice sear and rare or medium rare steaks, use direct heat, but for anything more, sear it and then move to indirect heat. Staying on direct heat for too long will just mean you burnt the steak. 

FIVE. Let your beef rest. It is tempting to cut right into your nicely seared steak, but resist the urge and let them rest at least 5 minutes to make sure all those juices don’t just flow out the moment you cut in. 

SIX. Salt is your friend. Don’t be afraid to generously salt your steak. It draws out some of the surface moisture, making it easier to get a nice sear. Most will fall off during cooking. Using a finishing salt is also advised.

SEVEN. Check the temperture! Don’t be ashamed to check the temperature for perfectly cooked beef. 

Maldon is the most basic, but you can experiment with Pink Himalayan Sea Salt or Black Sea Salt. They not only add a distinct flavor, but also a nice crunch and they look pretty. 

In just under 30 minutes, this tender and juicy Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin is grilled and ready to eat. Grilling steak was never so easy!Click to Tweet

5 from 3 votes

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Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

 

5 minutes and 5 ingredients for flavorful and tender sirloin steaks. Make them on the grill or in the oven.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: grilled steak, steak on the grill, whiskey

Servings: 4

Calories: 331 kcal

Author: Jessica Formicola

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds sirloin trimmed
• 1/2 cup whiskey I used Jim Beam
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar cheapest you can find
• Fine Sea Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large airtight plastic bag combine trimmed sirloin, whiskey, and balsamic vinegar. Massage into the fibers of the meat. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hour(s).

2. Remove sirloin from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the grill.
3. Remove sirloin from the marinade and season with fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
4. Preheat the grill to high heat. Place steak on the hot grill. If you are using a gas grill, cover the grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes on each side for medium rare. If you do not have a grill, you can follow the same instructions using the broiler of your oven on the second to top rack. Make sure to keep the door cracked and properly ventilate to not set off your smoke detectors.

5. Remove from heat and allow the meat rest for 5 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve. 

6. If you've tried this recipe, please come back to leave a comment and let us know how we did! 

Nutrition Facts

Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin

Amount Per Serving

Calories 331 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7g 11%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Cholesterol 103mg 34%

Sodium 104mg 4%

Potassium 617mg 18%

Total Carbohydrates 5g 2%

Sugars 4g

Protein 37g 74%

Calcium 5.6%

Iron 16.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.