By Bill Ohaire | Published: April 2026 | Last Updated: April 2026

Flavourful BBQ marinade with fresh herbs

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels

Quick Answer

Red Wine Beef Marinade: Combine 250ml red wine (shiraz or cabernet), 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves garlic (minced), and more. Marinate 4 hours to 24 hours. Grill until internal temp reaches 54-63°C (130-145°F) depending on preference.

About This Marinade

This red wine marinade brings a deep, rich, complex flavour profile to your beef. Use a wine you'd drink — cooking concentrates flavour, so bad wine makes bad marinade. Shiraz works beautifully with Australian beef.

Prep Time

5 minutes

Marinate Time

4 hours - 24 hours

Flavour Profile

deep, rich, complex

Best Cuts

rump steak, sirloin, skirt steak, flank steak, kebab cubes

Ingredients

IngredientAmount
red wine (shiraz or cabernet)250ml
olive oil3 tbsp
garlic (minced)3 cloves
tomato paste1 tbsp
dried rosemary1 tsp
dried thyme1 tsp
bay leaf1
black pepper1 tsp
salt to tasteAs needed

Tougher cuts like skirt and flank benefit most from marinating. Premium cuts like eye fillet need less time.

How to Make Red Wine Beef Marinade

  1. Combine: Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl or ziplock bag until well combined.
  2. Prep the beef: Pat the beef dry with paper towel. Trim any excess fat if needed.
  3. Marinate: Add the beef to the marinade, making sure every piece is well coated. Refrigerate for 4 hours minimum, up to 24 hours for deeper flavour.
  4. Bring to temp: Remove from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off. This helps it cook more evenly.
  5. BBQ: Shake off excess marinade and grill over high heat (220-260°C / 425-500°F) until the internal temperature reaches 54-63°C (130-145°F) depending on preference.
  6. Rest: Let the beef rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Red Wine Beef

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Best Beef Cuts for Red Wine Marinade

The best cuts of beef for this marinade are: rump steak, sirloin, skirt steak, flank steak, kebab cubes.

Tougher, more flavourful cuts like skirt and flank steak benefit most from marinating. The acid helps break down connective tissue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I marinate beef in red wine marinade?

Marinate beef in red wine marinade for 4 hours minimum for noticeable flavour, or up to 24 hours for deeper penetration. Overnight in the fridge is ideal for most cuts.

Can I use red wine marinade on other meats?

Yes! Red Wine marinade works well on chicken and lamb too. Adjust the marinating time based on the protein — prawns only need 15-30 minutes.

Should I marinate beef in the fridge or at room temperature?

Always marinate in the fridge for food safety. Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Take the meat out 20-30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off for more even cooking.

What temperature should I BBQ red wine marinated beef?

Grill red wine marinated beef over high heat (220-260°C / 425-500°F). Cook until the internal temperature reaches 54-63°C (130-145°F) depending on preference.

Related BBQ Guides

Sources & References

1
Guga Foods (YouTube)
Premium beef experiments — dry ageing, wagyu, and creative steak techniques.
Video
2
Serious Eats
Kenji Lopez-Alt's food science approach to grilling the perfect steak.
Reference
3
Weber Grill Skills
Australia's most popular grill brand — guides for every cut and cooking method.
Manufacturer
4
AmazingRibs.com
The science of BBQ — temperature guides, techniques, and recipes backed by food science.
Reference