Lemon Cilantro Marinade
Brighten your dishes with the zesty vibrance of this Lemon Cilantro Marinade, a quick and versatile recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Packed with fresh cilantro, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of honey for natural sweetness, this marinade strikes the perfect balance of freshness and warmth with earthy cumin, smoky paprika, and a dash of optional red pepper flakes for spice lovers. Infused with garlic and a touch of lemon zest, it’s perfect for marinating chicken, fish, shrimp, or even hearty vegetables, enhancing their flavor with bold Mediterranean-inspired notes. Whether you're grilling, roasting, or pan-searing, this citrusy cilantro marinade is your go-to for effortless, vibrant meals. Plus, it’s easily stored for up to three days, making meal prep a breeze!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup (packed) Fresh cilantro
- 0.5 cup Lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Olive oil
- 3 whole Garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
Instructions
Wash and pat dry the cilantro, then roughly chop it. Measure 1 packed cup of cilantro and set aside.
Peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.
In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves, honey, ground cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, adding 1 teaspoon of zest to the mixture.
Blend or process the ingredients until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
Taste the marinade and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or honey as desired.
Transfer the marinade to a clean jar or airtight container. It can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To use: Pour the marinade over your choice of protein or vegetables (chicken, fish, shrimp, or hearty vegetables work well). Let marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours before cooking as desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
629 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 57.1 g | 73% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.8 g | 44% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2378 mg | 103% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.1 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.5 g | ||
| Protein | 2.2 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 70 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 342 mg | 7% | |
*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.
