Beat the Heat: Grilling with Marinades

Do you cook with marinades? You should! Not only do they add a ton of flavor, they are budget savers because they allow you to make tougher, less costly, cuts of meat tender and juicy.

Marinades combine herbs, spices, oils, and (this is the key to making meat tender) an acid such as lemon or lime juice, wine, or vinegar. By allowing your meat time to rest in your marinade in the refrigerator, you’re infusing all of those great flavors into the meat.

Here are some great marinades to try on the grill this summer…

A quick disclaimer: If you’re basting your meat with the same liquid that your raw meat marinated in, do so only during the first half of cooking. You want to make sure the heat eliminates any raw meat bacteria. Personally, I make a separate batch of marinade for basting.

Italian Chicken Marinade

• 1 bottle of your favorite Italian dressing.

Yes, it’s that easy. Place chicken pieces in a large bowl, add your favorite Italian dressing, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Grill to perfection.

Kabob Marinade

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, sliced

Combine all ingredients to form marinade. Place beef or pork cubes in a large bowl, add marinade, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Skewer with fresh veggies and grill to perfection.
grilled
Seafood Marinade

• Juice of 3 lemons
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons fresh dill
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Combine all ingredients to form marinade. Place seafood (fish, shrimp, or scallops) in a large bowl, add marinade, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Grill to perfection.