11 Marinade Recipes to Infuse Big Flavor Into Meats and Veggies

Sweet Chili Marinade

This 6-ingredient marinade recipe is perfect for your next takeout-inspired night at home. Enjoy the zip of sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and fresh ginger. Use as much or as little crushed red pepper as you like to bring the heat before marinating chicken or other protein.

Mexican-Style Marinade

This easy marinade works great with chicken, pork, or beef. Give it time for the flavors to infuse before tossing on the grill. Enjoy the grilled meat on its own or slice and serve as a tasty taco filling.

Garlic-Soy Marinade

This make-ahead marinade recipe can be made and frozen for up to three months. Simply add to a freezer-safe bag with your favorite meat. When it comes time to cook, thaw for up to 48 hours and prepare.

Smoky Paprika Garlic Chicken Marinade

The surprisingly fresh flavor in this chicken marinade comes from fresh mint leaves and lemon juice. Don't worry if you don't have all day for the marinated chicken to chill, it'll be ready for the grill in less than an hour. Reserve some of that juicy marinade to brush on the chicken while cooking.

Jerk Marinade

Pineapple juice, garlic, and jerk seasoning make the perfect marinade for grilled chicken (pork, beef, or vegetables, too!) in the summer. If you don't have any jerk seasoning on hand, make your own using the included recipe and keep a jar on hand for sprinkling on meats and veggies.

Avocado-Buttermilk Marinade

We love this chicken marinade recipe so much, we gave it a solo page so you can keep it handy for all sorts of grilled meats. Avocado and buttermilk infuse chicken with a creamy, tangy flavor, while jalapeño gives a bit of kick.

Test Kitchen Tip: Be careful cutting those peppers, as they contain oils that can irritate your skin and eyes. Wear plastic or rubber gloves when working with them.

Turmeric-Ginger Marinade

In addition to anti-inflammatory ingredients (turmeric and ginger), this marinade recipe also includes gut-healthy Greek yogurt and garlic. Since it's a freezer-friendly recipe, you can marinate your choice of meat and store it up to 3 months for easy meal prep. Thaw in the fridge 24 to 48 hours before cooking.

Tea Marinade

If you're a tea fan and never thought about using it as a marinade, you're about to have your mind blown. Here we use a blend of jasmine tea and chipotle chiles in adobo for a tantalizing blend that hits sweet, floral, and spicy notes. We used the marinade recipe for salmon, but you could try it on other seafood or meats.

Roasted Red Pepper Marinade

A jar of roasted red peppers and a few pantry staples make up this simple blender marinade. You can also easily freeze meat in this marinade to save for later. Once you're ready to cook the meat, use our doneness guide to ensure it's at the right temperature.

Beer-Marinated Pork Chops

Beer isn't only good for drinking! Save a bottle of your favorite wheat beer to make this pork chop marinade recipe. Give it at least 4 hours to marinate before tossing on the grill. To make the flavors really pop, top with blue cheese crumbles or shredded white cheddar.

Greek Lemon Marinade

We're having Greek tonight! This tangy marinade recipe is perfect for chicken, pork, and veggies. Whip up some orzo to serve alongside and top with feta cheese. Save some of the marinade to make into a sauce by using our easy tip.