The Marinade
Transform your dishes with "The Marinade"—a versatile, flavor-packed recipe that brings a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet to any meal. This quick and easy marinade blends olive oil, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar for a rich base, enhanced by the subtle sweetness of honey or maple syrup, the bold kick of Dijon mustard, and the aromatic depth of minced garlic and thyme. A splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the flavors, while paprika, black pepper, and optional chili flakes add a customizable heat. Ready in just 10 minutes, this marinade works beautifully with proteins like chicken, beef, or tofu, as well as vegetables, ensuring tender, juicy, and deeply flavorful results. Whether you’re grilling, roasting, or pan-searing, this all-purpose marinade guarantees a gourmet touch to any dish. Perfect for meal preps and quick weeknight dinners, "The Marinade" is your go-to secret for culinary success!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 0.25 cup soy sauce
- 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves (fresh or dried)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine olive oil, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk until well blended.
Add honey (or maple syrup) and Dijon mustard to the bowl. Continue to whisk until the mixtures emulsify.
Stir in the minced garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and thyme leaves.
Season the marinade with black pepper, paprika, and chili flakes, adjusting spices to your heat preference.
Transfer the marinade to a sealable bag or container. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
For marinating, add your choice of protein or vegetables to the marinade, ensuring it is well-coated. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
Cook your marinated ingredients as desired: grilling, roasting, pan-searing, or baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1300 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 117.1 g | 150% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.5 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2844 mg | 124% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.5 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.9 g | ||
| Protein | 7.5 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 76 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 511 mg | 11% | |
*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.
