Marinades are a great way to add flavor to your meats. There are so many to choose from in the grocery store. But if you really want that super delicious meal, making your own is the way to go. That’s why we’re presenting you with this collection of the 25 best Homemade Marinade Recipes.
From super simple flavors to bold and exotic, this list will give your meat the boost it deserves. Whether you’re looking for sweet, spicy, garlicy, herby or umami, you’ll find it all here. But first…
How to marinate meat
The most tried and true for marinating meat is by refrigerating it in marinade in an airtight ziploc bag. First prick the meat with a fork in several places to help the marinade penetrate. Make sure to get as much of the air out of the bag as possible, this ensures maximum contact with the marinade.
Different marinade recipes have different natures due to the various ingredients, so be sure to follow the directions of the individual recipes for marinating times.
Another option, which can save some time, is an injector. This is basically a syringe that allows you to inject marinade into all parts of the meat. They are readily available in grocery stores. This is an especially great option for larger cuts such as roasts.
Marinades not only add great flavor to your meat, they also tenderize it and add moisture, which is especially important for leaner cuts.
1. Carne Asada Marinade
This Carne Asada Marinade is going to add some serious flavor to your steak! It’s a citrussy, garlicky, Mexican spiced combination that works perfectly.
2. Greek Chicken Marinade
Give your chicken a major flavor boost with this Greek Chicken Marinade! With olive oil, lemon and fresh herbs, it adds so much brightness to your otherwise plain chicken.
3. Jamaican Jerk Marinade
Hey, Mon! Add some island flair to your food with this famous Jamaican marinade! Make it mild or make it spicy, either way get ready for an explosion of flavor!
4. Mojo Marinade
This Cuban Mojo Marinade is a Latin flavor bomb. It’s citrussy, garlicky and tangy and goes especially great with pork or chicken. This is one of my absolute favorite marinade recipes.
5. Harissa (North African Chili Paste)
This North African Harissa is going to add a ton of flavor to your kitchen. Use it to marinade your chicken or shrimp when you want some deep smoky flavors.
6. Vindaloo Paste
Traditionally used to marinate meat for that famous Goan vindaloo curry, meat marinated in this sour and spicy Vindaloo Paste is great with naan or rotis alongside some cool raita.
7. Sofrito
A key ingredient in many Latin dishes, this Sofrito is loaded with fresh veggies and herbs. It’s a great flavor enhancer for rice and stews, but I love it for marinating steak, chicken and shrimp.
8. Pesto
Although Pesto is typically used as a sauce, I absolutely love it as a marinade. The basil and garlic flavors combine beautifully with chicken or shrimp.
9. North African Chermoula
North African Chermoula marinade is jam packed with fresh herbs and exotic spices. If you want to try some new and exciting flavors, you absolutely have to try this one with your next steak, chicken or seafood dinner!
10. Lemon, Herb and Garlic Marinade
This fresh, herby marinade is great for chicken, pork or seafood. It’s light, yet flavorful and also makes a great salad dressing.
11. Teriyaki Marinade
Classic teriyaki marinade beautifully blends soy sauce, sesame oil and aromatics. It’s great for just about any type of meat and is perfect for those times you’re craving Asian flavors.
Get the Recipe @ iheartnaptime
12. Steak Marinade
Simple, yet oh so delicious. This homemade steak marinade is soy sauce, Worchestershire sauce and olive based with plenty of added aromatics and herbs. It’ll add a ton of flavor to your favorite steak.
13. Honey Dijon Marinade
This simple, 5 ingredient, honey Dijon homemade marinade recipe perfectly combines sweet and savory. It’s one of my go to’s for adding flavor to chicken.
Get the Recipe @ thrivinghomeblog
14. Chimichurri
Though this herby, garlicky concoction from Argentina is normally used as a garnish for steaks, I absolutely love the flavors it adds as a marinade. It works especially great with beef, chicken and shrimp.
15. Fajita Marinade
Great fajitas start with a great marinade. This recipe does the trick wonderfully. Just five minutes of your time and a few basic ingredients and you are ready for one tasty Mexican night!
16. Firecracker Sauce
Spicy and sweet, this firecracker sauce will give you and explosion of flavor in every bite. I love it as a marinade, but it also works great as a stir fry sauce!
17. Overnight Brisket Marinade
This marinade is a mix of horseradish and mustard, red wine, olive oil, lemon juice, wine vinegar, salt, and onion and garlic powders. Brisket gets great flavor boost when marinated overnight before grilling or smoking next day..
18. Tex-Mex Marinade
If you’re craving some Southwest flavor, this Tex-Mex Marinade is for you. It’s great for chicken, beef, pork or shrimp.
Get the Recipe @ suebeehomemaker
19. Tandoori Paste
This Tandoori Paste is loaded with great Indian flavors and the yogurt makes your meat tender and juicy. Make some chicken tikka kebabs or go all out with chicken tikka masala.
Get the Recipe @ tinnedtomatoes
20. Mango Marinade
This fresh Mango Marinade will add some sweet tropical flavors to your dinner. This one is especially great for chicken, seafood or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe @ raisinggenerationnourished
21. Cajun Butter Injection
Cajun Butter Injection marinade recipe will add a ton of flavor and juiciness to your chicken, turkey or pork roast. Just melt some butter, add some spices and inject that buttery goodness into your meat before cooking.
Get the Recipe @ mrshappyhomemaker
22. Apple Mustard Marinade
This sweet and savory Apple Mustard homemade marinade will give great flavors to your grilled chicken or pork chops.
Get the Recipe @ ladybehindthecurtain
23. Shawarma Marinade
Shawarma Marinade will give great Middle Eastern flavors to your food. Marinate your favorite meat or veggies, grill them and wrap them up in a pita and you are all set!
Get the Recipe @ playswellwithbutter
24. Pineapple Jalapeño Marinade
This Pineapple Jalapeño Marinade recipe beautifully combines sweet and spicy. I love this one for chicken and shrimp, and it makes a great dressing for your salads and bowls.
25. Balsamic Rosemary Marinade
This simple Balsamic Rosemary marinade is perfect for pork chops.
Get the Recipe @ bake-eat-repeat
So there you have it, 25 great Homemade Marinade Recipes. Now there’s no excuse for bland or boring food. So get marinating and fire up that grill this summer!
Be sure to pin or bookmark this page so you can come back and add more great flavors to your meat. Until next time… enjoy!
The 25 BEST Homemade Marinades
This great collection of Homemade Marinade Recipes will help you add a ton of flavor to your food. If you like spicy, try this jerk marinade:
Ingredients
- 1-3 habanero peppers (1 for mild, 2 for medium hot and 3 for extra hot)
- 5 scallions, roughly chopped
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 7-8 sprigs of thyme
- 8 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 inch ginger, roughly chopped
- 2 tsp allspice pimento berries or powder
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Put bigger chunks like chopped onion, scallion, ginger, garlic, thyme and habanero peppers in the blender and blend well.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until you have a rough paste like consistency, scraping down from sides in between if necessary.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container until further use.
Notes
- Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!
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