Marinating steak takes longer than taking the meat out of the package and throwing it on the grill, but it’s worth the wait. A marinade adds any flavor you like to the meat and makes it more tender, but while steak should come to room temperature before cooking, you shouldn't try to get a head start and marinate it at room temp.

Marinating meat at room temperature creates a risk of bacterial growth and can cause foodborne illness, so it's best to marinate in the fridge. If you forgo the fridge, don't leave the meat out for more than two hours, and know that 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature range in which bacteria grows most rapidly.

If your marinating steak sits out for longer than two hours, especially at a temp between 40 to 140 F, throw it away; even if it looks and smells fine, it may already harbor harmful bacteria. To take the safest route, marinate the meat in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours for a delicious, bacteria-free steak.