Sesame Soy
Cilantro Garlic
Red Wine Vinegar & Olives
Citrus Ginger
Lemon Thyme
Increase Flavor
Marinating increases the flavor intensity of your choice of meat, vegetable or meatless alternative. Marinades are customizable. Love garlic? Then, by all means, please add another clove or two. You can add, subtract ingredients and taste to as you go.
Plan Ahead
Luckily, it’s easy as long as you’re organized. Mastering marinating simply takes a bit of pre-planning. Gather the ingredients. Get that meat marinating early. I recommend marinating a minimum of 2 hours to overnight. While, I suggest my favorite marinade pairings here, any of these marinades can work with whatever you like.
Cooking Guidelines – Not Gospel
Due to the many variables of cooking meat, I’m not giving exact cooking instructions. Instead, I suggest how I best like the meat or veg prepared (grilled, oven-baked, etc). To ensure your food safety, please check the USDA site for safety guidelines on how to cook, handle and store meat.
Sesame Soy Marinade: Sirloin Tip Steaks
- Mix ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbs sesame oil, 3 tbs soy sauce or tamari, 2 garlic cloves minced, salt and pepper to taste.
- Brush on sirloin tip steaks.
- Marinade in fridge minimum of 4 hours to overnight.
- Grill steak.
Cilantro Garlic Marinade: Shrimp
- Chop or blend ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, a bunch of cilantro, 2-3 garlic cloves, juice from a lime, jalapeno (seeds/stem discarded), salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix into 1-2 lbs raw shrimp.
- Marinade in fridge for 2 – 6 hours.
- Cook shrimp in skillet.
Red Wine Vinegar & Olives Marinade: Chicken
- Mix ¼ cup red wine vinegar, ¼ olive oil, 1 cup pitted olives, 2 tbsp capers, 1 tbs chopped thyme and rosemary, salt and pepper to taste.
- Add chicken (I use two boneless breasts and four leg/thighs for this recipe).
- Marinade in fridge minimum of 4 hours to overnight.
- Bake chicken in oven on a sheet pan.
Citrus Ginger Marinade: Pork Chops
- Blend (in a powerful blender) ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup orange juice or freshly squeezed orange, 2-inch piece of fresh ginger (skin off), 2 garlic cloves, salt and pepper to taste.
- Marinade pork chops (bone-in or out) in the fridge for about 2 hours.
- Grill or cook chops in skillet.
Lemon Thyme Marinade: Cremini Mushrooms
- Mix ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup chopped thyme leaves, juice of one lemon, 4-5 cloves of minced garlic.
- Mix into 2 lbs cremini mushrooms (rinsed, stems trimmed and cut into halves).
- Marinade in the fridge for 2 – 6 hours.
- Cook in skillet coating in olive oil on medium-high for 5 minutes (or until soft).
What to serve these finished marinaded mains for a complete dinner?
That’s up to you! I recommend eating a dark, leafy green side with every dinner. So, you’ll see salads or sautéed spinach on the finished plates. A traditional carb, such as rice or quinoa, are always a hit. For dishes like the Cilantro Garlic Marinated Shrimp, which has a Mexican flair, try a side of sliced up avocado or smashed guacamole. Or, you can toss the same marinade with zucchini ‘noodles’.
Please remember, plan ahead for tastier meals with marinades. Marinades not only make (almost) everything more delicious, they also can make meat juicer and more tender. Mix, match, experiment and enjoy!
