Savory Steak Bites

Unlock the secret to incredibly tender, flavor-packed steak with this classic New England-style Steak Tips recipe. Marinated to perfection in a distinctive blend of savory chili sauce, sweet Coca-Cola, and tangy Italian dressing, these sirloin steak tips promise a taste experience that’s both familiar and uniquely delicious. Grilled to achieve a beautiful char and juicy interior, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser, effortlessly bringing restaurant-quality dining right to your home kitchen. Whether served alongside creamy mashed potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables, or a fluffy bed of rice, these steak tips are destined to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Steak Tips

Crafting these delicious New England steak tips starts with selecting the right ingredients. Below, I’ll detail each component, explaining its role and offering practical substitutions to ensure your success. For precise measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card at the conclusion of this article.

• Sirloin Flap Meat: According to New England culinary tradition, sirloin flap meat is the only authentic cut for steak tips. This cut, also known as “bavette steak” or “flap steak,” is celebrated for its excellent flavor and tenderness when properly prepared. I’ve often found it readily available at larger retailers like Costco and local grocery stores such as Vons in San Diego, but it can also be sourced from your local butcher. If sirloin flap meat proves elusive, equally delicious alternatives include flank steak or skirt steak, both of which share similar fiber structures and respond well to marinades. It’s crucial, however, to avoid using stew meat. Despite a superficial resemblance to sirloin tips, stew meat is significantly tougher and requires slow, moist cooking methods to become tender, making it unsuitable for this high-heat grilling recipe.
• Italian Dressing: This isn’t just a flavor enhancer; it’s a critical tenderizing agent. The vinegar in Italian dressing provides the necessary acidity to break down muscle fibers in the steak, contributing significantly to its tenderness. Look for a quality dressing with a good balance of oil, vinegar, and herbs. While many brands work well, a robust Italian dressing is key to the marinade’s success.
• Coca-Cola: A surprising but essential ingredient, Coca-Cola plays multiple roles. Its mild acidity further aids in tenderizing the meat, while its sugar content promotes beautiful caramelization and char on the grill, enhancing both flavor and texture. The unique blend of flavors in Coca-Cola also adds an inimitable sweetness and depth to the marinade that cannot be replicated by sugar alone.
• Heinz Chili Sauce: This ingredient is a cornerstone of the New England steak tip marinade, providing a complex flavor profile that is both savory and slightly sweet with a subtle tang and mild spice. While ketchup could be used in a pinch, it’s considerably sweeter and lacks the depth of flavor and nuanced spice found in chili sauce. The robust blend of tomatoes, spices, and vinegar in Heinz Chili Sauce is crucial for achieving the authentic taste of these steak tips.
• Vegetable Oil (or Canola Oil, Olive Oil): Oil is vital for creating a delicious char on the exterior of your steak tips when they hit the high heat of the grill or skillet. It helps transfer heat efficiently, prevents sticking, and contributes to the golden-brown crust that adds so much flavor. Vegetable or canola oil are excellent choices due to their high smoke points, though a light olive oil can also be used.

Mastering the Art of Steak Tip Preparation

Achieving perfectly grilled, tender, and flavorful New England steak tips is simpler than you might think. Follow these step-by-step instructions, complete with detailed tips, to create an exceptional meal at home. For the full, precise recipe details, including exact measurements and a printable version, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

1. Prepare and Marinate the Steak Tips: Begin by preparing your sirloin flap meat. Lay each piece flat and slice it in half against the grain to create strips roughly 2 inches wide. Then, cut these strips into uniform 2-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and maximum tenderness. In a large, sturdy plastic zipper bag (or a non-reactive bowl with a lid), combine the chili sauce, Italian dressing, Coca-Cola, and vegetable oil. Add the cubed sirloin tips to the marinade, then seal the bag (or cover the bowl) and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece of steak is fully coated. Place the marinated steak tips in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld and the meat to tenderize. Marinate for at least 8 hours, and up to 24 hours, for the best results.
2. Grill the Steak Tips to Perfection: Once your steak tips have finished marinating, remove them from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while you preheat your grill. Heat your grill to a high temperature. Because these steak pieces are small and relatively thin, they will cook very quickly, so high heat is crucial. This technique allows them to develop a beautiful, flavorful sear on the outside without overcooking and drying out the interior. Using tongs, carefully remove the steak tips from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them directly on the hot grill grates in a single layer, ensuring not to crowd the grill. Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side. For medium-rare to medium doneness, the internal temperature should reach 130-135°F (54-57°C).
3. Rest Before Serving: Once grilled, transfer the steak tips to a clean plate or cutting board. It’s vital to let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bite. Skipping this step can lead to dry steak as the juices escape when cut immediately.

No Grill? No Problem! Alternative Cooking Methods: If outdoor grilling isn’t an option, you can still achieve perfectly cooked steak tips. Consider searing them in a cast iron skillet on your stovetop over high heat for about 2 minutes per side. For optimal results and to achieve that desirable char, avoid overcrowding the skillet. You will likely need to cook the full 2 pounds of steak tips in 3-4 batches. Alternatively, you can use your oven’s broiler. Preheat your broiler to high. Arrange the steak bites in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them on a rack positioned about a third of the way down from the broiler element. Broil for 2 minutes, then flip and broil for an additional 2 minutes until cooked to your desired doneness.

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New England Steak Tips

Juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor, these New England-style Steak Tips are marinated in chili sauce, Coca-Cola, and Italian dressing, then grilled to perfection. Serve them with mashed potatoes, veggies, or rice for an easy, restaurant-quality meal at home!

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 5 mins

Marinating Time: 8 hrs

Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins

Author: Whitney Bond

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sirloin flap meat, cut into 2-inch pieces
• ⅔ cup Wishbone Italian dressing
• ⅔ cup Coca-Cola
• ⅔ cup Heinz Chili Sauce
• ⅓ cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)

Instructions

1. Slice the sirloin flap meat in half against the grain, then into uniform 2-inch cubes.
2. In a large zipper bag or non-reactive bowl, combine the Italian dressing, Coca-Cola, chili sauce, and canola oil. Add the cubed flap meat and toss until thoroughly coated in the marinade.
3. Place the steak tips in the refrigerator to marinate for a minimum of 8 hours, and ideally up to 24 hours, for maximum flavor and tenderness.
4. After marinating, remove the steak tips from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while you preheat your grill to high heat.
5. When the grill is hot, use tongs to remove the steak tips from the marinade (discarding any excess marinade) and place them on the grill grates. Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side to achieve a good sear and desired doneness.
6. Remove the steak tips from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy result.

Notes

• Alternative Cooking Method (Stovetop): If you don’t have a grill, you can sear the steak tips in a cast iron skillet on the stove over high heat for 2 minutes per side. To ensure even cooking and a delicious char, avoid overcrowding the skillet. You will likely need to cook the full 2 pounds of steak tips in 3-4 batches.
• Making a Marinade Sauce: To transform any leftover marinade into a delicious sauce, reduce it in a saucepan on the stove over high heat for 10-15 minutes, ensuring it comes to a full boil for food safety.
• Storage and Reheating: Leftover steak tips should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm them quickly in a hot skillet on the stove for about 1 minute per side, or in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes, to prevent drying out.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 637kcal (32%)

Carbohydrates 22g (7%)

Protein 49g (98%)

Fat 38g (58%)

Saturated Fat 7g (35%)

Polyunsaturated Fat 10g

Monounsaturated Fat 18g

Trans Fat 0.1g

Cholesterol 136mg (45%)

Sodium 1120mg (47%)

Potassium 807mg (23%)

Sugar 18g (20%)

Vitamin A 14mg

Vitamin C 0.2mg

Calcium 54mg (5%)

Iron 4mg (22%)