Copycat Cafe Rio Steak Marinade Recipe (2024)

This Copycat Cafe Rio Steak Marinade is the BEST steak marinade you will ever try. It's incredibly easy to make and only takes a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Copycat Cafe Rio Steak Marinade Recipe (1)

Well, as of today it’s officially official – we’ve moved to Los Angeles.

My husband got a job working for an accounting firm downtown and we are so excited to start this new chapter of our lives.

One thing I will greatly miss about Utah is the Cafe Rio that was literally 3 minutes down the street from where we lived.

I probably frequented there one too many times, but I just love their food.

Now that the closest one is more than 30 minutes away, and riding in the car is becoming a little uncomfortable thanks to the babies, I usually end up trying to make things at home as much as possible.

I love their steak whether it’s in a burrito, enchilada, or on a salad, but it is SO easy to make at home, too. It’s just a few ingredients and it makes for great-tasting meat.

If you have never been to Cafe Rio, or don’t have one near you, I recommend trying this copycat Cafe Rio Steak Recipe. You are not going to be disappointed.

What could I put this steak on?

If you have never been to Cafe Rio, it’s incredibly simple to order. It’s extremely fresh Mexican food, where you select all your fresh toppings. However, they only have a few main courses to choose from. They have:

  • Burritos
  • Tacos
  • Enchiladas
  • Salad
  • Tostada (like a mini salad, with a hard shell on the bottom)
  • Quesadilla

From there, you pick your meat, beans, cilantro rice, sauce, and fresh toppings.

I personally go for the burrito (because they are massive and I get more steak), but all of the options are delicious.

I also love the quesadilla, and this one is a simple one to make at home. All you need is your tortilla, cheese, and steak.

We also love dipping all our Cafe Rio Copycat recipes in their Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing. I kid you not, this stuff is heaven sent. It’s so yummy.

If you love this copycat cafe rio steak marinade, you’ll want to make the best pork chop marinade. it makes The best grilled pork chops!

Watch how to make our copycat chick Fil a Chicken nuggets here:

Did you know we have a Youtube Channel? We have hundreds of simple and delicious recipes, your family is going to love. We take you through each recipe, step by step, and show you exactly how to make them.

Chick Fil A breaking your bank? Look no further. This Copycat Chick Fil a Chicken Nuggets is spot on and so easy to make. Watch how, here:

Looking for more copycat recipes? Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Copycat Hug Hes Chicken Pasta Salad
  • Copycat PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef
  • Olive Garden Copycat Grilled Chicken Flatbread Pizza
  • Copycat Chicken Fiesta Nachos
  • Copycat Blaze White Top Pizza

Copycat Cafe Rio Steak Marinade Recipe (2)

Serves: 4

Cafe Rio Copycat Steak Marinade Recipe

This Copycat Cafe Rio Steak Marinade is the BEST steak marinade you will ever try. It's incredibly easy to make and only takes a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup raw honey
  • ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • cup lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 ½ pounds steak sliced thin

Instructions

  • In a medium tupperware container or re-sealable bag, whisk together your honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, ginger and garlic.

  • Add in your steak, and mix until coated.

  • Marinade for at least 30 minutes (sometimes I'll even let it sit overnight for great flavor).

  • Grill over medium heat until steak pieces reach desired doneness.

Notes

This also makes a yummy chicken marinade, too.

Nutrition

Calories: 430 kcal · Carbohydrates: 20 g · Protein: 35 g · Fat: 24 g · Saturated Fat: 11 g · Cholesterol: 104 mg · Sodium: 621 mg · Potassium: 510 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 18 g · Vitamin A: 26 IU · Vitamin C: 3 mg · Calcium: 18 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Equipment

  • Airtight Container

  • Grill

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

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  1. Anne says:

    Welcome to Los Angeles! I live in the San Fernando Valley, was born and raised in the L.A. area. There's so much to do in SoCal, I hope you'll have time to explore and enjoy it all!

  2. Kelly R says:

    Welcome to sunny California! I hope you find some great eateries in your new neighborhood. There is lots to eat here. :)

  3. Kathy says:

    Welcome to So Cal!! I don't think there are any Cafe Rios where you will be living but if you need a fix, there is one in Redlands which is probably a good 2 hour drive. :)

  4. Jennie @ The Diary of a Real Housewife says:

    Good luck with all the settling in! This recipe looks great! I got to meet the dad behind Six Sisters Stuff at the focused blogging conference and wanted to say Hi! He told me mom is the one in charge on comments and I should stop by and say hello to you! Love your blog and hopefully will be their in February for build your blog!

  5. Cyd says:

    Hi Jennie! He met so many wonderful people at the blogging conference you were at. He told me that I might get a few comments. Thanks so much for stopping by our blog. I went to your blog and pinned your Cinnamon Roll Muffins for next Saturday. They look delicious! I hope you can come to our Build Your Blog Conference in February! I would love to meet you! Have a great week and drop by and say Hi every now and then! :)

  6. Josh says:

    I don't think this is right. They use a dry rub to season their steak. I keep looking all over the internet for their steak recipe and no one has it down. I will try this one but don't think this is right.

Copycat Cafe Rio Steak Marinade Recipe (3)

About The Author:

Steph Loaiza

Steph lives in Southern California with her husband, Andrew, and her five kids: twin girls and 3 boys. She going to Disneyland with her family and reading in her spare time.

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Copycat Cafe Rio Steak Marinade Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to marinate steak in lime juice? ›

Give your favorite steaks a Mexican twist with this marinade of fresh lime juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire and garlic at your next barbecue. Before cooking, remove beef from marinade and pat dry with a paper towel to promote even browning and prevent steaming.

How long can steak marinate in lemon juice? ›

We suggest exploring options such as soaking meat in a marinade made with lemon, lime juice, or vinegar. However, don't leave your meat in lime or lemon juice for too long, or else it'll get too soft. Anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour is a good time frame for acidic marinades.

What is steak marinade made of? ›

Follow these steps and you'll turn out perfectly marinated steaks: Make marinade. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt, thyme leaves, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Mix and massage.

Is mayo good to marinate steak? ›

Soy sauce, honey, olive oil and creamy Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise make a perfect marinade for your favorite steak.

What not to marinate steak with? ›

Don't use too much salt. Salt will draw moisture out of your meat causing it to dry out and prevent flavor from absorbing in. Salt can be added later, after cooking to taste. Don't reuse marinades or use marinades as a sauce after cooking.

Does lemon or lime juice tenderize steak? ›

Add an Acidic Marinate

Everyone loves a great marinade to add flavor to chicken, steak, or fish, but did you know it can also help tenderize the meat? Use an acid-based food, like lemon or lime juice, over meat. Only keep this marinade on for two hours because too much time can make the meat too mushy.

What are the three main ingredients when marinating? ›

A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices). These elements work together to transform the taste and texture of your dish in different ways.

Should you poke holes in meat when marinating? ›

Soaking your meat in marinades helps add flavor while making your meat tender. However, depending on how thin you have cut your pieces of meat, the marinade may fail to penetrate all that deep. In such cases, poking holes in your meat will help all the ingredients fully absorb and not remain on the surface.

What can I soak my steaks in to make them tender? ›

Make a marinade with acidic components—such as citrus juice, buttermilk, yogurt, wine, vinegar or soda—to help break down tough connective tissue and muscle fibers.

What does Texas Roadhouse do to make their steaks so tender? ›

Once the beef arrives at Texas Roadhouse, meat cutters guide it through an in-house aging process. Although there are plenty of techniques for perfecting tender steak, aging the cuts in a controlled and salty environment helps break down tough muscle fibers, resulting in a richer, more succulent, final product.

Do steakhouses marinate their steaks? ›

However, every great steakhouse seasons the steaks they cook. Typically a steak is seasoned with coarse ground black pepper, sea or kosher salt, garlic, and some type of signature spice. In addition to the seasoning most steakhouse's use a marinade, butter, or some type of baste or finishing liquid.

Do you put Worcestershire sauce on steak before or after cooking? ›

Place steaks in hot pan and cook quickly to desired taste turning only once. Lift out steaks when ready and keep handy. Quickly add the brandy and worcestershire sauce, mix well and bring to boil. Return steaks to pan and turn in the sauce.

What is the secret ingredient that improves meat every time? ›

You may hate it. But a smear of mayonnaise before cooking makes beef, pork, chicken and fish better as if by magic.

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

What effect does lime juice have on meat? ›

The tenderizing properties of lime juice, make it a great addition to a steak marinate. The acids in lime juice penetrate the raw flesh and break down the steaks connective tissues. Place the marinated steak in the fridge for a few hours, before placing it on the grill or oven.

How long can you marinate in lime? ›

Marinating time - Lime juice will make the surface of skin white with 24 hour marinating time but it won't break down the surface. 12 hours minimum to really get the lime flavour into the chicken. 48 hrs is the max marinating time - after this, chicken will start to break down.

Can I substitute lime juice for lemon juice in marinade? ›

Lime juice is the winner for the best overall substitute for lemon juice because of its similar taste and acidity level (which makes a big difference in recipes). It can be used at a 1:1 ratio level. Lime juice will work for both savory and sweet dishes and in co*cktails.

Can you eat raw beef with lime juice? ›

Mexican Carne Apache is difficult to describe because it is like Mexican-style steak tartare. Tartare is defined as is a meat dish made from finely chopped or minced raw beef. Carne Apache is also similar to ceviche because the beef is cooked by the acids of the lime juice.

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