Maple Bourbon Steak Tips Recipe

When you're craving the hearty, savory flavors of steak, but you're not interested in firing up the grill, your next best bet is to cook up this delicious recipe for maple bourbon steak tips. The hands-on work for this recipe only takes 25 minutes total, and only 10 of those minutes are spent cooking. That means if you plan ahead and mix and marinate the steak the night before you make it, you can have your main course cooked in just a few minutes. 

Ultimately, the main thing you'll have to plan for is your sides. "I would pair this with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, a simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing, or roasted sweet potatoes," says recipe developer Chanel Murphy-Lowe of My Fabulous Food. "As for drink pairings, a nice red wine like a cabernet sauvignon or a fruity cocktail like a bourbon smash would complement the flavors of the glaze." 

And it's the glaze that's what makes this a special favorite of Murphy-Lowe's. The sweet and savory elements combine to give it a distinctly perfect flavor combination worthy of an indulgent dinner at home.

You don't need much when it comes to this recipe, and most of the ingredients are meant for the marinade. Gather up maple syrup, bourbon, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, pepper, steak tips (Murphy-Lowe suggests sirloin or tri-tip), a neutral oil for cooking, and fresh parsley for garnish (if you're so inclined). 

It may come as a bit of a surprise, but the special ingredient in this recipe isn't actually one of the ingredients listed in its name. "The special ingredient is definitely the pineapple juice," says Murphy-Lowe. "The addition of pineapple juice makes this glaze special and sets it apart from more traditional glazes. It gives the glaze a tropical flair. The combination of the maple syrup, pineapple juice, and bourbon work together to create a unique sweet and tangy flavor profile with hints of warm depth from the bourbon."

Mixing up the marinade is a pretty simple process. Grab the maple syrup, bourbon, pineapple juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper, then add them all to a bowl. Use a whisk to whip them together until it's well combined. 

Even though there are a few tangy and spicy elements in the glaze, Murphy-Lowe says it ends up more sweet than strictly spicy or savory thanks to the deep sweetness of the juice and syrup. 

With the marinade ready to go, simply place the steak tips in a dish or zip-top bag, and add the marinade on top. Make sure all the pieces of steak are fully coated in the marinade before covering or sealing the container. Allow the steak tips to marinate in the fridge for at least an hour. 

"The marinating process allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, making it tender and flavorful. There's no upper limit on how long the steak can be marinated," Murphy-Lowe says, so it's fine to start this process ahead of time and let the marinade do its magic overnight. 

When you're ready to start cooking, add the oil to a cast iron skillet and set the heat to medium-high. Take the steak tips out of the marinade, allowing any extra to drip off. When the skillet is hot, add the pieces of steak to the pan and cook about 4-6 minutes per side. 

It's important to occasionally baste the pieces of meat with the remaining marinade. "While cooking, you can flip the steak tips once or twice and baste them on each side during the process. So, you'll cook one side for 4-6 minutes, flip, baste, cook the other side for another 4-6 minutes, and flip and baste again," Murphy-Lowe explains. This basting process helps enhance the flavor while creating the caramelized glaze. 

The length of time you cook your steak tips depends on how well done you like your meat. Murphy-Lowe recommends cooking them to medium, but if you prefer them more or less done, it's best to use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to know when to take them off the heat. "The ranges are 130-135 F for medium rare, 140-145 F for medium, and 150-155 F for medium well," says Murphy-Lowe. 

When the steak tips done to your liking, remove them from the skillet and set them aside to rest. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat so they don't simply pour out when you make the first cut, keeping the steak juicy. After a few minutes, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with your favorite sides. 

And if you don't finish all of the steak in one night, you can keep the meat for up to 3-4 days in the fridge, if sealed in an airtight container. Simply reheat in the microwave or on the skillet over low heat. "Adding a splash of water can help the glaze loosen up," Murphy-Lowe adds.