11 Best Easy Marinade Recipes (2024)

Check out these best marinade recipes from around the web. Including marinade for chicken, beef, tofu, shrimp and more.

Marinating is a method of soaking food, usually meat, prior to cooking. Marinades provides flavor and can tenderise a tough piece of meat. The best marinades will help to break down meat tissues so the flavor can seep in. All of this requires the right marinade base, along with the right flavors. There are lots of different ingredients that will do this.

Marinating is not restricted to meat; it can be used with vegetables and soy products like tofu. These recipes call for specific food items but all can be used for any food item you have on hand.

Here are some of the best marinade recipes to choose from the next time you want to amp up your main course.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a versatile Japanese sauce made of soy, sake, sugar, and ginger. While it can be used as a dipping sauce, it really comes into its own when turned into a marinade.

Our homemade teriyaki sauce is perfect with for grilled chicken, beef, and even tofu. It has a deep, rich, and sweet flavor that’s truly unique, yet pairs perfectly with recipes from all cuisines.

Margarita Chicken

Grab the tequila and some limes! If you love drinking margaritas, you will love this dish. The marinade is made with tequila, lime zest and juice, orange juice, honey, garlic and some robust spices. Grill the chicken and serve in a tortilla, on a green salad or in a rice bowl.

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Grilled Honey Balsamic

Balsamic vinegar give a flavor punch and tenderizes meat quickly. The addition of honey brings on the sweet, to the savory. Add some olive oil and season the marinade with a few spices and for added flavor. Put half of the marinade aside, before adding the meat, to use later as a glaze.

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Rosemary Mustard Grilled Chicken

Rosemary isn’t just for holidays and special occasions. This recipe calls for Dijon mustard but any mustard will work. The combination of rosemary, mustard, lemon juice and garlic will infuse your chicken with a blast of flavor! Keep a little marinade aside for basting as the chicken is grilling.

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London Broil Marinated Tofu

Vegetarians, I hope you are reading this; don’t let the recipe name fool you. Balsamic vinegar, soy and Worcestershire sauce form the base of this marinade. The addition of garlic, honey and rosemary bring on more sweet and savory tones. Yes, this recipe is for tofu, but it can be used on a real London Broil as well.

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Yogurt Marinated Greek Chicken

Greek yogurt has components that break down protein and tenderize meats. Seasonings you likely have in your pantry like oregano, basil, parsley and coriander are added along with garlic and lemon juice to impart that Mediterranean style. Use any leftover Greek yogurt to make a dip or salad dressing.

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Coconut Marinated Chicken

Coconut milk provides the base for this marinade; curry, paprika, fresh lime zest and juice, fresh ginger and garlic pack in the flavor. Boneless thighs are used which have more flavor, and are more tender, than breast meat. Excess marinade can be simmered and used as a sauce for the cooked chicken.

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Thai Pineapple Peanut Satay Chicken

Satay is simply small pieces of meat cooked on skewers. If you like sweet Thai dishes, this recipe is for you! In addition to the peanut butter and pineapple juice, the marinade calls for coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar and a variety of spices. Grill time is quick and recipe gets lots of rave reviews.

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Thai Grilled Chicken

This dish is sweet and spicy all at once. Thai sweet chili sauce brings the sweet and sriracha, or any hot sauce you prefer, brings the spice. Layered in between is soy and fish sauces, fresh ginger and lemongrass. The author uses chicken thighs because they remain juicy after grilling.

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Chimichurri Flank Steak

Chimmichurri is similar to pesto but made with fresh parsley instead of basil. It is used as a marinade and a condiment. This chimmichurri sauce is bolder than most; it includes garlic, lemon juice, cilantro, oregano and crushed red pepper . Flank steak is recommended but any steak will do. Leftover chimmichuri is great on eggs at breakfast too!

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Korean BBQ Marinade

Beef short ribs are marinaded in a base of pear juice which acts as the tenderizer, but also provides a unique sweetness. Add some soy sauce, fresh garlic and ginger, brown sugar and toasted sesame seeds. The brown sugar helps the marinade caramelize on the grill forming a bold flavor.

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Coffee and Soy Marinated Flank Steak

Don’t throw out that leftover coffee in your pot; use it to make this marinade. Add strong coffee to soy sauce along with some garlic, onion, Worcestershire and brown sugar; let your flank steak soak up all of this flavor for a few hours, then grill. No salt needed with this recipe!

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