Clockwise from left: Teriyaki; Balsamic Garlic; Lemon Herb; Fajita; Garlic
We’re kicking off grilling season in style with five of our all-time favorite marinades (recipes listed below). All are a snap to make and use pantry staples and herbs you might have planted or grabbed at the farmers’ market.
For the teriyaki, fajita and lemon-herb marinades, simply mix all ingredients in a shallow glass or plastic dish—or resealable food storage plastic bag—and add your meat of choice and refrigerate, turning the meat occasionally, for at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
For the garlic and balsamic garlic marinades, heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic, stirring frequently, until golden. Stir in the rosemary, mustard and soy sauce; remove from heat. Stir in vinegar and sherry (or balsamic vinegar for the balsamic garlic marinade); cool. Pour marinade into a shallow glass or plastic dish—or resealable food storage plastic bag—and add your meat of choice and refrigerate, turning the meat occasionally, for at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
Teriyaki Marinade
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
Yield: ½ cup
Fajita Marinade
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Yield: ½ cup
Garlic Marinade
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup red or white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup dry sherry or apple juice
Yield: ¾ cup
Balsamic Garlic Marinade
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
Yield: ¾ cup
Lemon-Herb Marinade
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons dry vermouth, dry white wine or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or ¼ teaspoon dried sage leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or ¼ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Yield: 2/3 cup
A few other helpful marinade tips from our test kitchen:
- Mix marinades—and marinate foods—in glass or plastic containers or food-storage plastic bags because these containers won’t react with acidic ingredients like vinegar, wine or lemon juice.
- Use ¼ to ½ cup marinade for each 1 to 2 pounds of food.
- Marinate all foods except fish in the refrigerator up to 24 hours; if you let it marinate longer, food can become mushy. Marinate fish only 15 to 30 minutes or it will become mushy.
- After you’ve removed meat from the marinade, the remaining marinade needs to be boiled to be served as a sauce (if not boiled, throw it away). In a 1-quart saucepan, heat marinade to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute.