Marinating flank steak in baking soda?

Question

Hi, I am fairly new to cooking and I have a recipie that says to marinate a one pound flank steak in one tsp of baking soda for an hour before it marinates another hour in the regular marinade...is this really necessary and what purpose does this have? Thanks so much

Answer 1

How old was that recipe? That's an old way to get the gaminess out of meat, mainly it's used for Deer, Elk, Boar and even fish. Now days it's safe to marinate right from the store since it farm raised meats. Enjoy

Answer 2

Hi, Assuming you are talking about beef and not a game steak; I have been cooking all kinds of foods for 50 years and never heard of marinating meat in baking soda. Skip that part and just go the regular marinade but I would let it marinate a little longer than an hour. Flank steak has such a good flavor on its own but it has to be cut gross grain and it is best on a charcoal grill. Be sure you have some corn, olive or peanut oil in the marinade because flank steak is not marbled with fat.

Answer 3

Baking soda is a meat tenderizer and if you know how to use it works great.Its used in chinese restaunts all the time

Answer 4

Mcdonalds Pizza Tater Tots Pasta KFC Chicken Juice Soda Water Milk Apple Cider

Answer 5

I have never heard of using baking soda for a marinade and I ddon't know what purpose it would serve either.

Answer 6

I have been experimenting with numerous flank steak recipes..
some from the top chef"s in America..... absolute best recipe is to marinate it in teriyaki sauce for 18hrs....that is it. trust me i love flank steak and have tried so many recipes, but this is the best and is sooo damn simple.
enjoy!

Answer 7

It sounds like a misprint. Some recipes call for adding the baking soda to the marinade.

Here are a few examples:

Beef & Broccolini

2 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. San J Tamari Sauce
1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. cornstarch
¼ tsp. baking soda
1 lb. flank steak, cut across grain into 2-inch thin strips
1 Tbsp. Sun Luck® Oyster Sauce
1 Tbsp. rice wine
1 tsp. sugar
¼ C. lower sodium chicken broth
½ tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tsp. International Collection Toasted Sesame Oil
3 Tbsp. peanut oil, divided
1 bunch Broccolini, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 C. cup red bell pepper strips
1 C. red onion slices
2 cloves garlic, pressed
hot cooked rice

In mixing bowl combine 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch and baking soda. Add flank steak strips. Toss to coat; set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

In small mixing bowl combine remaining tamari sauce, cornstarch, oyster sauce, rice wine, sugar, chicken broth, crushed red pepper and sesame oil; set aside.

In large skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. When oil is hot add flank steak and stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to bowl.

Add remaining oil to skillet. When hot, add Broccolini and stir-fry 1 minute. Stir in red bell pepper and onion; stir-fry 1 minute. Add garlic and stir-fry additional 1 minute.

Add reserved tamari sauce mixture to center of skillet and bring to a boil. Stir in flank steak and cook, stirring until sauce is thickened. Serve immediately over hot cooked rice. 4 servings
--------------:

Grilled Sesame Beef and Rice
SERVES: 6

2 package(s) Garlic & Butter Rice
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp. baking soda
2 lbs flank or skirt steak
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 tbsp. sherry or white wine

1. In a deep dish, mix the soy sauce, sherry, sesame oil, baking soda, sugar and ginger. Marinate the flank steak in mixture for 20 minutes.
2. Prepare rice according to package directions.
3. Grill the steak over hot coals or in the broiler for 3 minutes on each side.
4. Cut into strips and place on top of Garlic & Butter Flavorful™ Rice.
5. Garnish with chopped green onions.

Answer 8

Go brush your teeth with baking soda-- just once. Then ask yourself if you'd like your steak to taste like that...