15+ Marinade Recipes

Marinade Recipes

Some of the best marinade recipes for chicken, steak, pork, shrimp, vegetables, and more! A good homemade marinade is one of the easiest ways to add big flavor to an otherwise simple meal. From classic Italian and Greek marinades to smoky BBQ, Asian-inspired, Mediterranean, and fajita marinades, there are endless combinations to try.

Whether you’re grilling outside, cooking dinner on the stovetop, roasting in the oven, or meal prepping for the week, these easy marinade recipes can help turn everyday ingredients into flavorful meals.

Below you’ll find plenty of meat marinades and food marinade ideas, along with tips for choosing ingredients, marinating different foods, and getting the most flavor from your favorite recipes.

What Is a Marinade?

A marinade is a seasoned liquid mixture used to add flavor to meat, seafood, vegetables, and other foods before cooking. The food is generally soaked or coated in the marinade for a period of time before being grilled, baked, roasted, broiled, or cooked another way.

Many homemade marinades contain three basic components:

• Oil – Olive oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, and other oils can add flavor and help distribute seasonings.
• Acid – Lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, wine, yogurt, and other acidic ingredients are common in marinades.
• Seasonings and aromatics – Garlic, onions, herbs, spices, mustard, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and similar ingredients add flavor.

Not every marinade needs to follow the same formula. Some use yogurt, buttermilk, or other ingredients as the base, while others are mostly oil, herbs, and spices.

I add new marinade recipes from time to time, so be sure to check them out.

Best Marinade Recipes

Wondering what marinade to make for dinner? These popular marinade ideas include options for chicken, steak, pork, shrimp, seafood, vegetables, and more!

1. Lemon Rosemary Grilled Chicken Marinade (Snappy Gourmet) – This Lemon Rosemary marinade is not only great on chicken but great on seafood and fish, and even as a salad dressing. Full of fresh rosemary and lemon.

2. Greek Chicken Marinade (Savory Nothings) – This Greek Chicken Marinade is an easy and delicious marinade for pan-fried, baked, or grilled chicken. You probably have everything on hand already!

3. Perfect BBQ Marinade (AllRecipes) – This flavorful marinade combines balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and sesame oil.

4. Homemade Teriyaki Marinade (Snappy Gourmet) – A quick and easy Asian marinade for chicken, steak, or pork. Serve with rice and vegetables, and you have a full meal.

5. Mediterranean Marinade (Silk Road Recipes) – Lemon, herbs, garlic, and olive oil do all the work here to give you juicy meat with delicious flavor.

6. Shrimp Marinade (Dinner at the Zoo) – The best shrimp marinade made with garlic, herbs, spices, and lemon. You can cook your marinated shrimp on the grill, stovetop, or in the oven for a delicious meal.

7. Easy Coffee Marinade (Snappy Gourmet) – A great marinade for beef or pork and can also be boiled down for a delicious coffee sauce for meat!

8. Italian Chicken Marinade (Chef Billy Parisi) – Easy to make with fresh herbs and pantry staples.

9. Fajita Marinade (Chili Pepper Madness) – Delicious for steak, shrimp, or chicken fajitas. Easy to make and huge on flavor, with olive oil, lime juice, and lots of wonderful seasonings.

10. Mexican Steak Marinade (Snappy Gourmet) – A quick and easy beef marinade! This homemade marinade is perfect for skirt steak, flank steak, or even pork and grilled chicken. Makes the best tacos and fajitas!

11. World’s Best Steak Marinade (The Recipe Critic) – Great for flank steak, skirt steak, sirloin, tri-tip, New York strip, London broil, ribeye, and even steak bites! Quick and easy to make with soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and pantry spices.

12. Vegetable Marinade (Better Food Guru) – Only 5 ingredients, including lemon, mustard, and garlic. Perfect for grilled veggies!

13. Chicken Thigh Marinade (Well Plated) – This simple marinade gives you juicy, fully flavored chicken that’s a little sweet and a little spicy, with a touch of citrus.

14. All-Purpose Grill Marinade (Plays Well with Butter) – An easy all-purpose grill marinade with olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne. Perfect for grilled chicken, steak, pork, seafood, and veggies!

15. Cola Steak Marinade (Couple in the Kitchen) – Some Coca-Cola, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and a few other simple ingredients make up this delicious steak marinade.

Marinade Ingredients

One of the best things about making a homemade marinade is how easy it is to customize.

Oils

Depending on the recipe, you might use:

• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Vegetable oil
• Canola oil
• Sesame oil

Strongly flavored oils such as sesame oil are generally used in smaller quantities.

Acids

Popular acidic marinade ingredients include:

• Lemon juice
• Lime juice
• Orange juice
• Vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar
• Red wine vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Wine
• Yogurt
• Buttermilk

The amount of acid and marinating time matter because prolonged exposure to strong acidic ingredients can affect the texture of food.

Savory Ingredients

For even more flavor, try:

• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Onion
• Hot sauce
• Fish sauce

Sweeteners

A little sweetness can balance salty, sour, spicy, and savory ingredients.

Popular options include:

• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Maple syrup
• Granulated sugar
• Molasses

Keep in mind that marinades containing a lot of sugar can brown or burn more quickly over high heat.

Herbs and Spices

This is where you can really change the flavor of your marinade.

Try:

• Oregano
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• Cajun seasoning
• Italian seasoning

Fresh and dried herbs can both work depending on the recipe.

How Long Should You Marinate Food?

There’s no single marinating time that works for every food or recipe. The ideal amount of time depends on the type and size of the food as well as the ingredients in the marinade.

Shrimp and delicate seafood often need only a short time, while many cuts of meat can be marinated longer.

More isn’t necessarily better. Highly acidic or enzyme-rich marinades can change the texture of food if it’s left in them for too long.

For best results, follow the marinating time specified in the individual recipe you’re using.

How to Marinate Meat

Making an easy meat marinade doesn’t require any special equipment.

Prepare the marinade according to your recipe and place it with the meat in a food-safe container or resealable bag. Make sure the food is evenly coated, then cover or seal it and refrigerate.

Turn or move the food occasionally if necessary, so the marinade reaches all sides.

When you’re ready to cook, remove the food from the marinade and prepare it according to your recipe.

Important Marinade Food Safety Tips

Raw meat, poultry, and seafood require careful handling when marinating.

Always marinate perishable foods in the refrigerator rather than on the kitchen counter.

Don’t use marinade that has been in contact with raw meat, poultry, or seafood as a finishing sauce unless it has been handled and cooked appropriately according to food-safety guidance.

An easy option is to prepare extra marinade at the beginning and set aside a portion before adding the raw food. The clean portion can then be used later for serving, brushing, or drizzling as appropriate.

Wash your hands, utensils, cutting boards, dishes, and surfaces after they come into contact with raw meat or its marinade.

Can You Make Marinades Ahead of Time?

Many homemade marinade recipes can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, although storage time will depend on the ingredients.

This can make weeknight meal prep much easier. Mix a marinade in advance, then add your chicken, steak, pork, or other food at the appropriate time before cooking.

You can also prepare several different marinades at once so you have different flavors ready for meals throughout the week.

Can You Freeze Meat in Marinade?

Many meats can be frozen with marinade, making this a convenient option for freezer meal prep.

Add the meat and marinade to an appropriate freezer-safe bag or container, label it with the contents and date, and freeze according to the recipe’s directions.

Thaw safely in the refrigerator before cooking.

Because ingredients affect food differently during freezing and thawing, use a recipe specifically designed for freezer marinating when possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic ingredients in a marinade?

Many marinades contain oil, an acidic ingredient, and seasonings or aromatics. However, there are plenty of exceptions, and not every successful marinade needs all three.

Can you use the same marinade for chicken and steak?

Sometimes. Many marinades work with several proteins, but marinating and cooking times should be adjusted for the particular food you’re preparing.

Should you marinate food in the refrigerator?

Yes. Meat, poultry, seafood, and other perishable foods should be marinated in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature.

Can you reuse marinade?

Marinade that has been in contact with raw meat, poultry, or seafood shouldn’t simply be reused as-is. For a finishing sauce, the easiest approach is to reserve some clean marinade before adding the raw food.

Can you marinate vegetables?

Absolutely. Mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, onions, eggplant, asparagus, and many other vegetables can be marinated before grilling or roasting.