My All-Purpose Grill Marinade is just that. A simple, savory marinade that goes well with anything - it's the absolute best and the only one you'll ever need! From steak to chicken drumsticks, from shrimp and salmon to pork tenderloin, it's seasoning perfection. It's also amazing on veggies. Whatever you want to throw on the grill, use this marinade and everyone will be happy!
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I always keep a few all-purpose seasonings and marinades in my back pocket. It's an easy way to make amazing meals with zero effort. This grill marinade is just such a back pocket hero. We use it on EVERYTHING. And, I'll show you how to customize it to turn it into a great fajita marinade in the recipe section below!
My all-purpose marinade is also made up of pantry and fridge staples. I can almost guarantee that I could walk into your house right now and you would have every single ingredient needed to make this amazing marinade. It only takes a few minutes to whisk everything together and it stays good for a long time in the fridge if you have leftovers. We use ours up quickly so it never lasts long.
One Marinade. Endless Possibilities.
When I say this grill marinade is good on everything, I mean it. Let me count the ways that this grill marinade is gonna make your life better.
- On beef. You can marinate steaks with it or mix it into ground beef for burgers.
- With chicken. Recipes including but not limited to: drumsticks, chicken wings, chicken thighs, spatchcock chicken. If you like poultry, try this marinade.
- On pork. Pork tenderloin or chops come alive with a simple seasoning.
- Seafood. Fish like salmon or cod would love this grill marinade and so would shrimp! And, because these proteins are more delicate, you wouldn't need to marinate them for more than 30 minutes or so!
- Veggies. Any veggie you love to grill or roast would be amazing with some of this simple marinade.
- Tofu, if you are so inclined.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of Italian dressing do I use?
Look for a good quality one that does not have any added sugar.
Is this recipe gluten and/or dairy free?
If you use Tamari instead of soy sauce this recipe is absolutely gluten and dairy-free!
How long do I let my meat and/or veggie marinate?
I would let beef, chicken, and pork marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. For seafood and veggies, I would let it marinate for 30 minutes to only about 2 hours. The acid in the marinade could make the more delicate players get a little funky.
Do I rinse off the marinade before cooking?
No! Please don't! If you are marinating for the grill or searing in a skillet, I recommend using a paper towel to blot off any excess to achieve a good sear or grill.
Can I reuse the marinade?
The short, technical answer is yes, but only if you bring it to a boil to kill any lurking raw protein bacteria for food safety purposes. However, I highly suggest you just toss it. Boiling this recipe will change the flavor and it's just not great.
Tips and Tricks
- Make a double batch and keep it in the fridge. It stays good for a long time and you'll find yourself using it all the time!
- If you make a big batch and store it in the fridge, make sure you shake the container to get everything equally distributed before using. You don't want several layers of ingredients that have settled.
- After cooking your proteins or veggies, drizzle just a bit of the fresh marinade over the top for even more flavor!
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it spicy. Add a healthy bit of sriracha or your favorite hot sauce. You can also add red chili flakes or some cayenne.
- Sweetness. Add brown sugar or maple syrup to your desired sweetness level.
- To turn this grill marinade into a fajita marinade, add a couple tablespoons of brown sugar and a tablespoon of dried oregano. Also, add the juice of 1-2 additional limes.
Grill Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup tamari or soy sauce
- ¾ cup Italian salad dressing
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon granulated onion
- ½ tablespoon fresh ground pepper
- 1-2 tablespoon brown sugar optional and to your taste for sweetness
- juice of 1 lime
- red chili flakes, to taste optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Pour over beer, chicken, seafood, pork, or veggies. Marinate according to preference. Grill per your taste and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover grill marinade, in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to a month. The marinade can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Grill Marinade recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
Other Recipes You'll Love
All-Purpose Seasoning - another recipe to make in bulk. You'll use this on everything, too!
Chimichurri Sauce - The ultimate fresh sauce. It's great on everything from grilled steak to roasted veggies!
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