This easy All-Purpose Marinade is perfectly seasoned to enhance the flavor of steaks, pork chops, chicken, and more. Ideal for preparing ahead of time to make dinner easy!
Are you tired of the same plain grilled meat that always turns out dry? Is your schedule so busy that you don’t have time to prepare a delicious meal after you get home from work? If so, today’s all-purpose marinade is the perfect solution for you!
Using a marinade is an easy way to season and tenderize meat with minimal effort. It’s also a foolproof method to prepare a delicious meal no matter what you are in the mood for. This marinade can be used on steak, chicken, pork, or just about anything else you’re craving.
Since it is made with simple pantry staples, you can have this marinade mixed up and the meat soaking in 5 minutes so you can spend more time doing what you enjoy instead of toiling in the kitchen. This is my go to recipe when I want to make a delicious meal without putting in a lot of effort.
Why You Will Love This Marinade
- Uses simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
- Works great on chicken, steaks, pork chops, and more!
- Easy to make in 5 minutes or less.
- Perfect to prepare ahead of time for an effortless dinner solution.
How To Make This All-Purpose Marinade
Making this marinade is so simple, you will wonder why you haven’t done it before. All you need to do is mix the ingredients together in a small bowl then pour over the meat you are going to use. The ingredients you will be using are:
- Canola Oil – helps all of the spices stick to the meat and adds moisture.
- Worcestershire Sauce – gives the marinade that classic taste everyone loves.
- Paprika – adds just the right amount of sweet heat.
- Salt & Pepper – to bring out the natural flavors of the meat.
- Garlic – I like to use minced garlic to add texture, but garlic powder works great too.
- Onion – I prefer to use minced onions, but onion powder will work just fine.
How to Use This Marinade
Once everything is mixed up, you are ready to combine it with the meat. I like to use a Ziploc bag squeezing all of the air out so every surface of the meat is covered in the marinade and is able to absorb it easily. This is an easy and convenient way to make prep and clean up as easy as possible.
You can also use a glass dish by putting the meat you’re using in the bottom and pouring the marinade over the top making sure every part of the meat is covered. Just make sure to cover with plastic wrap or lid before placing in the refrigerator.
Either method will work just fine ensuring the meat soaks up the delicious flavors. I use this recipe for about one pound of meat but you can easily scale it up or down depending on how much you are needing to marinate.
Once the meat is marinating, I like to let it rest in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours so it can really absorb all of the flavors. However, if you are short on time like I usually am, letting it sit for 15-30 minutes will be enough time for the meat to absorb some flavor and give it that delicious taste.
When the meat has marinated the length of time you prefer, simply remove the meat from the marinade and grill it like you normally would. Just be sure to dispose of any extra marinade liquid, since it has been in contact with raw meat it can contain bacteria that could make you sick if not handled properly.
How To Freeze Your Meat With The Marinade
You may be wondering if you can freeze this marinade for your next family gathering or big game day. The answer…Yes! You can prep this marinade and freeze it until you are ready to grill.
All you have to do is prepare as normal combining the meat and marinade in a sealable plastic bag. But, instead of letting it rest in the refrigerator, toss it in the freezer for up to three months. That’s it! Super simple.
Once you’re ready to use it, just let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator then grill like you typically would.
If you prefer to use a dry rub when grilling, then check out our BBQ Rub that goes great on everything also!
Tips
- Always marinate meat in the refrigerator so bacteria doesn’t multiply.
- How long should meat marinate? I like to let it marinate for at least a couple of hours. But, if you’re short on time, letting it sit for 15-30 minutes will be enough. I wouldn’t let it sit for longer than 24 hours though.
- What is the best way to marinate meat? I find that using a Ziploc bag is the easiest way. Simply combine the meat and marinade in the bag, squeeze out all the air, and store it in the refrigerator for your desired amount of time.
- Can I use left over marinade? Simple answer, no. Because it came in contact with raw meat, leftover marinade contains harmful bacteria and needs to be disposed of properly.
- Want to add a little spice? Add in 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder to the mixture.
All-Purpose Marinade
Ingredients
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced or powder
- 1 teaspoon onion minced or powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne optional
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients into a measuring cup or small mixing bowl and whisk together until well combined.
- Place the meat to be marinated into a sealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible and seal the bag.
- Gently shake or move the meat around in the bag until all surfaces are completely covered with the marinade.
- Place the bag in the refrigerator and let sit for two hours.
Excellent!