6 Quick Marinades for Easy Dinners
Lemon-herb, honey-soy-garlic, yogurt spice, chili-lime, balsamic-Dijon and Italian herb. Each is enough for 1 1/2 pounds of protein.
A marinade adds flavor to the surface of meat and vegetables, and a little salt in it helps them stay juicy. Each recipe below is enough for about 1 1/2 pounds of chicken, pork, tofu or shrimp.
Marinate safely
- Always marinate in the refrigerator, never on the counter.
- If you want extra sauce for serving, set some aside before it touches raw meat.
- Throw away used marinade, or bring it to a full boil before using it as a sauce.
How long?
| Protein | Time |
|---|---|
| Shrimp and fish | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Chicken, pork, tofu | 30 minutes to 8 hours |
| Beef (steak) | 1 to 12 hours |
Acidic marinades (lots of citrus or vinegar) can make seafood and chicken mushy if left too long.
Lemon, garlic and herb
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Whisk and pour over the protein in a zip-top bag.
Good with: Chicken breasts, shrimp, vegetablesFull recipe
Honey, soy and garlic
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Whisk until the honey dissolves. Sugary marinades brown fast, so cook over medium heat.
Good with: Chicken thighs, pork chops, salmon
Yogurt and warm spice
- 3/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 2 teaspoons garam masala or curry powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
Stir together and coat the protein well. Yogurt tenderizes gently and helps it char.
Good with: Chicken thighs, lamb, cauliflower
Chili-lime
- 1/4 cup neutral oil
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Whisk and use for tacos and fajitas.
Good with: Chicken, flank steak, shrimpFull recipe
Balsamic-Dijon
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
Whisk until emulsified.
Good with: Pork tenderloin, chicken, portobello mushrooms
Italian herb
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
Shake in a jar until combined.
Good with: Chicken, vegetables for grilling, tofu
