The one thing that brings dull chicken or meat to life is a marinade. It’s the flavor and tenderizer our meats crave. Gather around my table as I share a few of my favorite marinades that I use when I grill meat. Favorite Summer Marinade Recipes brings life back to meals.
Why Marinade?
The acids in the vinegar and lime/lemon juice, or tomatoes tenderize and add flavor to the meat. You will not feel like you are eating a dry chicken breast. It takes some effort, but if you plan, you can marinate it and it will be delicious. Sometimes I throw my frozen chicken in the marinade and marinate it for 48 hours while the chicken thaws. You will love these marinade recipes.
Chili Sauce Marinade Recipes for Chicken or Shrimp
This marinade I’ve been making for years. My friend made it for me when we were first married, and since then, it has been a family favorite. There is an easy way and one that has fewer food additives- using tomato sauce and chili powder. I like to use chicken tenders since they are easy and soak up the marinade flavors. As another option, cube your chicken and put it on Kabob sticks.
My friends request this recipe all the time and use it to grill their chicken.
- 1 jar of chili sauce or use (1 can of tomato sauce and 1 tbsp chili powder)
- ¾ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp minced garlic
Mix the above ingredients and pour ¾ of the marinade on your meat. I use a Tupperware marinade container or a ziplock bag. Place in the refrigerator for 8- 24 hours. 48 hours if your chicken is frozen. Drain off the liquid and toss. Use a pastry brush to add the reserved ¼ liquid to the chicken or shrimp as you grill it.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade Recipe
This Marinade is perfect for any Mexican-themed bowls or tacos.
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup vinegar, rice vinegar, or cider vinegar
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tsp minced garlic.
Marinade for 4-24 hours- discard liquid and grill for great-tasting meat.
Side Ideas
Some sides you can make with these meats are salads. See the broccoli salad recipe and garden salad recipes. My other favorite is to grill veggies in a grill pan with olive oil and seasonings. Everything on the grill and from the refrigerator makes cooking for others easy peasy. Check out my last blog on salad recipes if you missed it. Have fun grilling this summer into the fall.
Do you have favorite marinade recipes for grilling meats?
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