Cowboy Marinade
Elevate your grilling game with this bold and flavor-packed Cowboy Marinade, a surefire way to infuse your favorite cuts of meat with smoky, tangy, and sweet goodness. Featuring a delicious blend of olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a hint of honey, this marinade is balanced with a tangy splash of apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon juice. Smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and minced garlic add a bold, smoky depth, while optional crushed red pepper flakes bring a subtle kick of heat. Perfect for steak, chicken, pork, or even tofu, this quick 10-minute marinade is your go-to secret for tender, juicy results bursting with flavor after just a few hours of marinating (or overnight for a more intense taste). Whether you're grilling, broiling, or pan-searing, this Cowboy Marinade will leave your taste buds craving more, making it ideal for summer barbecues, weeknight dinners, or hearty backyard feasts.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 0.5 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until the brown sugar is dissolved.
Stir in the honey, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, minced garlic, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well to combine the spices evenly.
Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and give the marinade a final mix to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
Taste the marinade and adjust seasoning if needed—for example, adding a little more soy sauce for saltiness or honey for sweetness.
Place your choice of meat (steak, chicken, pork, or even tofu) in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow container.
Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is completely coated. Seal the bag or cover the container tightly with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate and allow the meat to marinate for at least 2 hours, but ideally 6-8 hours for maximum flavor. For stronger flavor, you can marinate overnight.
When ready to cook, remove the meat from the marinade and discard the leftover liquid. Grill, broil, or pan-sear the meat to your desired doneness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2335 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 225.4 g | 289% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.9 g | 174% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 21.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 5070 mg | 220% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 67.6 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 48.5 g | ||
| Protein | 13.4 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 155 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 8.2 mg | 46% | |
| Potassium | 975 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
