sauces, meatsLauren Agrestivegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, the lighter side, mediterranean, olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, lemons, salt, pepper, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, mustard, tomato paste, American Classics, small batchComment

Six Summer Marinades From the Pantry

sauces, meatsLauren Agrestivegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, the lighter side, mediterranean, olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, lemons, salt, pepper, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, mustard, tomato paste, American Classics, small batchComment
Six Summer Marinades From the Pantry
Six Summer Marinades

Summer is nearly here, which means….grilling! Whether it’s chicken, tofu, tempeh, or fish, any grilled protein can be enhanced with a marinade. Fortunately, the pantry contains all the ingredients you need to make fresh homemade marinades, so you don’t have to buy expensive, overly-sugary-and-salty premixed sauces. Plus, when you make your own marinades, you can customize the flavors and explore endless combinations. I’ve prepared six to get you started, but you’ll be able to make many more once you get the hang of it. These recipes were written with chicken breasts in mind, but the marinades themselves are vegan and suitable for a variety of proteins. Plus, they make great salad dressings. Ready? First, let’s understand how marinating works.

The basic components of a marinade

Fat

In each of these recipes (with the exception of the barbecue marinade), olive oil seals the protein, locking in juices and flavor.

Acid

Acid helps break down any toughness in meat, and adds brightness to the dish. You’ll want one part acid to three or four parts fat (generally speaking), so your meats don’t get overly tenderized.

Flavor

Herbs, spices, salty kicks, and touches of sweetness add flavor to your protein and allow for infinite customization.

How to make a marinade

For each of these marinades, all you have to do is whisk the ingredients together and allow your protein to sit in the mixture for a few hours (chicken and soy proteins need two hours, pork needs about four, and fish only needs about 20 minutes). You can make your marinade up to three days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Meats and hearty vegetarian proteins can sit in the marinades for up to 24 hours; delicate proteins like seafood should only marinate for up to half an hour.

Each marinade is designed for about twelve ounces of protein (except for the barbecue marinade, which will cover about 24 ounces). Scale up depending on how much you’re cooking, then get grilling!

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to tag us on instagram @theprotopantry and use the #protopantry hashtag. Happy cooking!

Everything on protopantry.com is made using our 50-ingredient minimalist pantry list. We have recipes from all over the world and for most dietary needs—explore here.

 
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Hot Chili Garlic Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon garlic

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • Salt to taste

  • Pepper to taste

  • Hot sauce to taste

 
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Sweet Mustard Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 5 teaspoons mustard

  • 5 teaspoons maple syrup

  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

  • Salt to taste

  • Pepper to taste

 
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Lemon Pepper Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup

  • 1 teaspoon garlic

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • Salt to taste

  • Pepper to taste (generous)

 
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Soy Maple Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon garlic

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

 
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Citrus Cumin Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

  • 2 heaping teaspoons cumin

  • 1 teaspoon garlic

  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup

  • Salt to taste

  • Pepper to taste

 
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Barbecue Marinade

  • 1 6-ounce can tomato paste

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 teaspoons mustard

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons garlic

  • Salt to taste

  • Pepper to taste

    *Note: if you’d like to use this recipe for barbecue sauce to serve, I recommend adding a quarter cup of water and simmering it in a sauce pan for about 20-30 minutes. You want the flavors to melt together.

 
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Recipe Rating

meats, mainsLauren Agrestimeats, gluten-free, chicken, lemons, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, olives, butter, the lighter side, mediterranean, weeknight, Italian seasoning, small batchComment

Mediterranean Skillet Chicken with Lemon & Olives

Lemon, olive, and herbs bring an easy weeknight dinner to another level.

meats, mainsLauren Agrestimeats, gluten-free, chicken, lemons, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, olives, butter, the lighter side, mediterranean, weeknight, Italian seasoning, small batchComment
Mediterranean Skillet Chicken with Lemon & Olives
mainsLauren Agrestibrown rice, chickpeas, pasta, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, lemons, corn starch, Egyptian, street food, vegetarian, vegan, yellow onionComment

Protopantry Koshary

Ubiquitous in Cairo, this blend of rice, beans, pasta, and fried onions in punchy tomato and garlic sauces is surprisingly easy to eat.

mainsLauren Agrestibrown rice, chickpeas, pasta, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, lemons, corn starch, Egyptian, street food, vegetarian, vegan, yellow onionComment
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Gluten-Free Mini Turkey Meatloaves

Gluten-free, dairy-free, and scratch-made.

mains, meatsLauren Agrestigluten-free, tomato paste, soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, olive oil, yellow onion, carrots, ground turkey, oats, eggs, garlic, salt, pepper, the lighter side, Italian seasoning, meal prep ideasComment
Gluten-Free Mini Turkey Meatloaves
mainsLauren Agrestiolive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, mustard, fish, corn starch, cold water, lemons, gluten-free, weeknight, the lighter sideComment

Weeknight Fish with Hot Garlic Sauce

Sweet, spicy, savory fish in 30 minutes.

mainsLauren Agrestiolive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, mustard, fish, corn starch, cold water, lemons, gluten-free, weeknight, the lighter sideComment
Weeknight Fish with Hot Garlic Sauce
sidesLauren Agrestipotatoes, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, mustard, salt, pepper, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, cinnamon, hot sauce, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, American ClassicsComment

Chili-Garlic Oven Fries with Homemade Ketchup

Fresh-baked fries and ketchup from scratch are easier than you think.

sidesLauren Agrestipotatoes, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, mustard, salt, pepper, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, cinnamon, hot sauce, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, American ClassicsComment
Chili-Garlic Oven Fries with Homemade Ketchup