My Secret Marinades

I have a long list of marinades up my sleeve, but half the time I make them up and struggle to remember how I created it.  Lucky for you I have written down a few that are my ultimate favorites.  I am not sure where I picked these up; some I made up, others I got from my mom or friends and I altered them to make them just right for my family.  I will start with my all time favorite marinade!  I use it on anything from steak tips and lamb chops to veggie and chicken kebabs.  It’s perfect for summertime grilling!

My All Around Go To Marinade – (Chicken, Beef or Lamb)

• 1 onion
• Olive oil
• 1 TSP Greek Seasoning
• 1 TSP Oregano
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2-3 cloves Garlic

HOW TO

1. Add onion to a food processor, blend.
2. Add all other ingredients except the oil, blend.
3. Add oil while blending or add small amounts of oil at a time and blend till a ‘soupy’ consistency.
4. Pour over meat and let sit for 30 min or more.

 

South of the border Marinades –(Beef or Chicken)

• 1 cup cilantro leaves
• ¾ cup lime juice
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 Serrano chilies, steamed and seeded
• 1 jalapeno, steamed and seeded
• 1 TSP salt
• 1TSP dried oregano
• ¼ TSP ground cumin
• ½ cup olive oil

HOW TO

1. Steam and seed chilies (I wear gloves to do this or take extra time to wash my hands after!).  You can leaves the seeds in for more kick!
2. Combine all ingredients, except oil, in a food processor until smooth.
3. While processor is running, steadily, add oil until incorporated.
4. Marinade meat for 30 min or more.

 

Balsamic Dream Marinade – (Beef or Chicken)

• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• ½ TBSP rosemary
• ½ TBSP oregano
• 1TSP fresh mustard
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 TSP raw honey
• ½ oil (coconut, olive, avocado…)

HOW TO

1. Mix all ingredients and cover whatever type of beef you choose (great for flank steak).
2. Marinade for at least 30 min or more.

 

Firecracker Flank Steak Marinade – (Beef)

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup Sam Adams Boston Ale
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup lemon juice

HOW TO

1. Combine all ingredients and add to any cut of steak.
2. Leave to marinade for 30 min or more.

Fantastic Kebab Marinade – (chicken, lamb or beef)

• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 TSP thyme
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ¼ cup parsley

HOW TO

1. In a food processor blend the onion and lemon juice.
2. Add remaining ingredients except the oil and blend.
3. While processor is running, steadily, add oil until incorporated.
4. Pour over kebabs, chicken or lamb.
5. Marinade for 30 min or more.

 

Easy Peasy White Fish Marinade

• Drizzle of Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper
• Half a lemon juiced
• Half a lemon sliced and placed on top of fish

HOW TO

1. Drizzle oil on both sides of fish.
2. Salt and pepper both sides of the fish.
3. Juice ½ a lemon on the fish and top with sliced lemon slices.
4. Leave in the fridge or cook right away.  Do not leave it too long in the marinade the lemon juice will start to cook the fish on its own.

 

These marinades are great for big family meals or easy meal preps for the week.  I’d love to hear how you enjoyed them or recipes of your own!

ENJOY!