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Dad’s Legendary Secret Marinade Recipe

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A quick and easy flavorful marinade perfect for grilling chicken, pork, beef, or even tofu. This marinade balances sweet, savory, and umami notes to elevate any grilled meat or vegetable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, olive oil, and brown sugar. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
  2. Add Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, ground black pepper, onion powder, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine.
  3. Pat 2 pounds (900 g) of your choice of meat dry with paper towels. Place the meat in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish.
  4. Pour the marinade over the meat, seal or cover, and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably 8-12 hours for best flavor.
  5. Preheat grill to about 400°F (204°C) or heat a grill pan on medium-high.
  6. Remove meat from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill for 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness, flipping once, until cooked through with nice grill marks.
  7. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Pat meat dry before marinating for better flavor absorption and crust formation. Marinate between 2 and 12 hours to avoid mushy texture. Boil leftover marinade before using as a glaze or sauce to kill bacteria. Adjust soy sauce or brown sugar to balance saltiness or sweetness. Can substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free. For vegan version, double olive oil and replace Worcestershire sauce with apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: marinade, grilling, barbecue, soy sauce marinade, garlic marinade, easy marinade, backyard barbecue, Dad's recipe

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/dads-legendary-secret-marinade-recipe-easy-flavorful-marinade-for-grilling/