Who does not know that? No matter how tasty the names of the marinades for packaged grilled meat from the supermarket sound, somehow the end product from the grill always tastes suspiciously similar. Whether “hearty summer herbs” or “smoky barbecue” – in the end, it honestly tastes like glutamate, paprika powder, and garlic.
Our hearty and aromatic homemade marinades transform conventional meat, fish, vegetables, or tofu into an incomparable treat in no time at all.
Our recommendations for an ideal preparation
For a perfect result, it is important to note that the pickling time varies depending on the dish.
- Poultry, pork, and thin slices of beef should rest in the marinade for about four to eight hours,
and large cuts of pork and beef should be allowed to marinate for up to 12 hours. - Fish fillets, on the other hand, should only be marinated for about an hour – otherwise, the tender fish flesh will be too tender and the flavor too strong.
- By pickling, the spices and acid penetrate deep into the food, making it more aromatic and tender.
Marinades should also not contain any salt, otherwise, they will draw liquid out of the food and the flavors will not take off as well.
Fruity-sweet whiskey marinade
With this hearty, spicy marinade, every fillet of beef or pork becomes a unique treat.
Ingredients for about 500 grams of meat:
- 10 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tablespoons whiskey of your choice
- 1 tablespoon mustard, coarse, spiciness to taste
- 1 tbsp mango chutney
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- pepper
Preparation:
- Whisk together the cooking oil, whiskey, and soy sauce, then stir in the honey, mustard, and chutney until smooth. Season with pepper at the end if you like. Place the meat in the marinade in the refrigerator for approx. 8 hours so that it can absorb the marinade as best as possible. You should also make sure to dab the meat with paper towels before grilling to prevent liquid from dripping onto the embers.
Bay leaf and lime marinade
This unusual variant is particularly suitable for juicy fish fillets, as the lime juice makes the fish more tender and at the same time refines the aroma.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- ½ bunch of fresh thyme
- 8 bay leaves
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 2 limes (zest and juice)
Preparation:
Top the fish fillet with thyme and bay leaves. Whisk together the olive oil, grated zest, and lime juice and drizzle over. Let the whole thing rest for about 1 hour.
Asian marinade for spicy tofu steak
A detour to Asian cuisine is always worthwhile with this aromatic, spicy pickle. Ginger and garlic not only provide plenty of flavors but also keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.
Ingredients for 2 servings:
- 5 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- a few slices of ginger (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 1 teaspoon syrup (e.g. apple or rice syrup)
- chili
Preparation:
Finely chop or crush the garlic cloves and ginger and then mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, and syrup with them. Marinate the tofu steak for about 10 minutes.
