Grilled Sirloin Steak with Marinade

Sirloin steak is economical and delicious with a hearty beef taste. Learn how to grill moist and tender sirloin steak with the seasoning of your choice or my special marinade.

Introduction

I originally called this recipe Bourbon Street Sirloin Steak a la Applebees, which seemed fine in 2010, but they changed their recipe several years ago. I liked the old Applebee version a bit more than the current version. But mine is better than both. So, I changed the name, but that doesn't change my recipe.

I have always wondered how a relatively cheap piece of beef got so darn good. It was an obvious target to recreate. If this were a throw-down, I'd win—better taste, very tender, and moister than the 2010 (or current) Applebee's version.

A simple marinade for about 1 hour, then 9-12 minutes on the grill. Grrrrreat!!!!! But the basic technique of grilling sirloin works with the seasoning of your choice, so if you don't have the time for the marinade, skip it and just season and cook.

And one final tidbit, the Applebee's version was named after Bourbon Street, not bourbon the drink. Hence, no bourbon in the recipe.

👨‍🍳How to make this recipe

1. Trim sirloin steak, about 8 oz. each, and about 1 inch thick.
2. Optional mechanical meat tenderizer if available to prep meat. If not available, use a narrow knife and puncture each side about 20 times.
3. Optional Marinade: In a zip lock bag, mix water, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, multiple spices, powder, and Adolf's meat tenderizer, Place meat in marinade and refrigerate for about 2 hours (1-4 hour range).
4. If not using the marinade, then season to your taste with salt and pepper or another seasoning.
5. Preheat the grill to high—clean and oil the grill grates.
6. Grill with lid closed over high heat for 5 minutes and turn. Continue until you reach the internal temp of your choice. 140°-145° (medium) will usually take 9-12 minutes in total. See the chart below for times for different doneness.
7. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.

⏰How Long to Grill

A reasonable estimate of total cooking time with a hot grill is 9 to 12 minutes. There are many variables: the exact grill temperature, the thickness of the steak, and your desired final temperature.

A sirloin is from a well-used muscle area of the cow, so it tends to be tougher. It is also leaner than many other cuts, so it is best cooked on the rarer side. If you like your beef well done, you should pick a different cut of meat.

YOUR TIME WILL VARY, and NEVER COOK BY TIME ALONE. There you have it. I apologize for "yelling," but I can not emphasize those points enough.

Like most cooking, there are many variables.

• The size and thickness of the meat
• The exact temperature of the meat
• The grill temperature at the start of cooking
• How much heat your grill loses during flips
• Your desired final internal temperature

You must have an instant-read meat thermometer to do this correctly.

Doneness	Internal Temperature	Approx. Grill Time
Rare-cold red center	125°-130°	6-7 Hard to get right
Medium Rare-warm red center	130°-135°	7-9
Medium-pink and firm	140°-150°	9-12
Medium Well-minimal pink	150°-155°	12-14
Well Done-firm and brown (not recommended)	160°+	14+

🐄Ingredients

Sirloin Steak

We are going to talk American terms for a few minutes. The sirloin is located behind the short loin, which is where strip steaks and t-bones come are located. There is the "top sirloin," which costs the most of sirloin and is most tender. It will be labeled as top to fetch the premium price.

The bottom sirloin is where the sirloin steaks come from (what I'm cooking here). Also, the tri-tip roast comes from the bottom sirloin. Under that will be the sirloin tip roast.

In other parts of the world, what we call the loin area is called the sirloin, and what we call the sirloin is called the rump.

Tenderizer

Top sirloin won't need much attention, but the standard "sirloin steak" can benefit from some tenderizing.

I'm taking "two bites of the apple," so to speak, in this recipe. I'm using both a mechanical tenderizer and a chemical. The chemical is Adolf's meat tenderizer with a pineapple extract to help tenderize. You can skip either or both, but your steak will be slightly less tender.

🧂 Seasoning

While I suggest my marinade, you can season like any other steak. Just some salt and pepper will be fine. I frequently use All Purpose Seasoning - 7:2:1 and 7:2:2, which adds some garlic, also.

Many people will use a standard seasoning like Montreal seasoning, providing excellent results.

📖Grilled Steak Recipes

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How to Grill a Strip Steak on a Gas Grill

How to Grill a T-bone or Porterhouse Steak - A Tutorial

How to Grill a Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill

Fathers Day Steak Recipe Roundup

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

Images may vary since they are from several cookings over time.

Trim two sirloin steaks, about 8 oz. each, and about 1 inch thick.

Clean and oil the grill. Preheat the grill on high. Wait to preheat if using the marinade.

Optional: Use a mechanical meat tenderizer, if available, to prep meat. If not available, use a narrow knife and puncture each side about 20 times.

Optional Marinade: In a 1-gallon zip lock bag, mix 1 cups water, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoon soy sauce, 4 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ teaspoon Adolf's meat tenderizer, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon oregano. Place meat in marinade and refrigerate for about 2 hours (1-4 hours).

If not using the marinade, then season to your taste with salt and pepper or another seasoning. Grill with lid closed over high heat for 5 minutes and turn. Continue until you reach the internal temp of your choice. 140°-145° (medium) will usually take 9-12 minutes in total.

Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.

📝Recipe

Originally Published May 1, 2010. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.