I LOVE Houston’s Restaurant (some locations have been converted to the Hillstone brand). The food is always consistent and I know I won’t be disappointed with the experience. Besides being reliable, there’s also another reason I keep going back. It’s called the Hawaiian Ribeye. I love a simple good steak that is seasoned with nothing more than garlic salt and pepper. But the pineapple and soy sauce marinated Hawaiian ribeye, seared perfectly on the outside and so tender when you cut into it, makes my mouth water even when I’m full. Not sure how many ounces it is but I can never finish the whole thing. It makes a fantastic breakfast the next day when sliced and heated up on the skillet. The aroma fills the entire kitchen.
After discovering Costco’s fine selection of prime, choice, and select grade ribeyes, I did a search for the recipe and picked the apple cider vinegar version that had the most positive user reviews. The recipe is easy enough; I already had everything except the apple cider vinegar. After heating up the ingredients in a sauce pan and then marinating the piece for 2 full days in the fridge, it was grilled up last night when 12 people came over for burgers and brats. The steak was gone in seconds. It was sooooo yummy and tasted very close to the real thing. The only changes I will make next time is to use a little less vinegar and more pineapple juice. Houston’s also grills theirs over hardwood. Now that this recipe has been tried and deemed true, I am definitely making this again!
By the way, if you aren’t a fan of ribeyes, the Prime Rib French Dip Sandwich served with au jus is also fantastic. I love you Houston’s.
The Marinade (made some adjustments to the original recipe after the first trial)
- 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 6 oz can of pineapple juice
- 1 cup of soy sauce (*light or low sodium, see comment below)
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 2 minced garlic cloves or 2 tsp of garlic powder
- 2 tsp minced ginger or 1 tsp of ginger powder
*I’ve received a couple comments from blog readers who said their marinade came out way too salty and ruined the steak. The kind of soy sauce I have at home is lighter in sodium so that may be the cause. To be on the safe side, I’d suggest using light or low sodium soy sauce. Salt can always be added later. Also, taste the marinade before adding it to the steak. It should taste slightly salty, slightly sweet.
Combine in a saucepan and heat up slightly to let the flavors come together.
Let the marinade cool completely. Pour into a quart sized zip lock bag with the ribeye and place in a container in the fridge. Marinate the ribeye for a minimum of 2 days.
grill for 2 min each side for medium rare:
nice. costco is awesome. the steak was great too!
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Tried this recipe last week with two 1 1/2 inch ribeye steaks (from Sam’s Club) and it was awesome! No need to go to Houston’s anymore
I marinaded for approx. 2 1/2 days. This recipe yields plenty of marinade enough for 3 maybe 4 small steaks. Other recipes I’ve tried did not come close! This is the winner.
Woops… Just realized it used 16 oz of pineapple juice instead of 1 6 oz can of pineapple juice. Steaks are marinating as I type… Hopefully this will result in a happy accident?
Actually you should be good to go! Recipe uses one 6 oz can, not 16 oz. Hope it turns out well for you!
Is there anything that I can just buy on the shelf that could replace the minced ginger? I’m just not sure where I would find that or how to use it
all grocery stores sell ginger root. Just ask someone in produce. Then just mince it up and you’re done!
I actually use powdered ginger. Just use the equivalent of 2 tsp. found on the label. Good luck!
I worked there for 5 years, I’ve got a lot to tell… about that recipe that is.
Would you share what you can about the recipe?
Anyone listening?
It’s a very well guarded secret. There’s no joke when it comes to the execution of this marinade. The strictest recipe that’s highly protected by this company generating thousands if not millions annually.
Due to the fact “I” did sign a disclaimer about my association and affiliation with that company years ago I can only say that the recipe is almost correct. I’ll say this, use this recipe and you’ll come near to the product. Not trying to kids you folks, but it’s pretty “dern” close.
So what is the lacking ingredient? Thanks.
What brand soy sauce would you recommend using? I actually tried this recipe using Kikoman and marinated for 2 days. The result was very very salty.
I recall the second trial coming out a bit salty as well. Perhaps switching to a lite soy sauce with less sodium.
Just made this.. I was so excited when I came across the recipe because the Hawaiian Ribeye is my favorite. The result, however, was extremely disappointing! Disgustingly salty and not even close to the real thing.. After reading all the reviews, especially the one written by aeonputz, since he was an employee there, I’m wondering if I did something wrong?.. I did marinate it for 3 days, using 2 1-inch steaks.. was that too much marinade for only 2 steaks?
The soy sauce was definitely overpowering. Should I use less next time? Maybe 1/2 cup?
Some soy sauces are a lot saltier than others. I’d suggest using a lite soy sauce or less of what you have. Salt can always be added at the end but sadly cannot be removed. Sorry about your bad experience.
You’re close, but Houston’s uses chinese 5 spice and real pineapple along with the concentrate after the marinate cools. They marinate for 1 day but 2 days is better!
this is the best experience, im from atl, and very blessed to find one in cali,
medium plus and baked potatoe fully load is what we order
I tried this on ribeye steaks and marinated for 3 days. Oh boy, they were delicious!!! My family loved it! Just mixed another batch to try with chicken steaks (I don’t know why they call it chicken steaks). Going to let it marinate for 2 days. Will keep you posted
Awesome! yes please let me know how the chicken turned out.
LOVED it. This is our go to recipe. I am making another batch right now. No need for me to spend and arm an leg at Houston’s anymore.
Tried this recipe, improvised a little here and there……………………I thought I was at Houston’s back in the late 90′s!
Thanks!
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Just wondering if anyone has used this as a marinade or just mixed in with ground beef for hamburgers?
Tried this last night on a couple of ribeyes. Only had one hour to marinade, but still flavorful!! Thank you very much for this.
I’m going with this recipe for the superbowl tomorrow. I think though I will add the soy sauce a tablespoon at a time until I find a nice balance. Another thing is if you are going to use fresh ginger use fresh garlic also.
Thank you for the wonderful post.