Top 10 All-Purpose Marinade Recipes

Most Popular Marinades for Any Meat

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/4/21

Marinades are probably the most important ingredient to any cookout. A good marinade not only keeps your grilling moist but also imparts flavor. These ten marinade recipes are the most popular on my site. They represent the kinds of marinades you should be trying. Start with these marinade recipes and then start experimenting yourself to make the marinades that work best for you. While many are specific to a type of meat, all of these marinades will work with most everything.

Marinating is best done in a sealed environment. We recommend using large, resealable bags with as much of the air as possible forced out. Lighter, thinner meats can be marinated in as little as thirty minutes, while denser and thicker cuts will get the most benefit after several hours. 

Featured Video
  • 01 of 10

    Teriyaki Marinade

    Teriyaki Marinade

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Want to get that great teriyaki flavor into your favorite dish? This teriyaki marinade is sure to add flavor to whatever you're grilling. This marinade works particularly well with pork and poultry but is also great on beef.

  • 02 of 10

    Lemon and Rosemary Marinade

    Lemon and Rosemary Marinade Recipe for Chicken

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This is a great lemon and rosemary marinade recipe for chicken. It gives you that lemon-herb flavor that you find on so many store-bought chickens, but this is better. Try this marinade with poultry, pork, and lamb.

  • 03 of 10

    Classic Steak Marinade

    Classic steak marinade

    The Spruce

    A great steak doesn't need any help. A not so great steak does. If you are grilling a steak that isn't the most tender then this classic steak marinade is perfect. While perfect for beef, this marinade also works well with pork, poultry, and lamb.

  • 04 of 10

    Pineapple Marinade

    pineapple marinade

    Claire Cohen

    This marinade works really well on pork or chicken. It is also great ​for bringing a Hawaiian flavor to beef dishes. The power of pineapple tenderizes and sweetens meats. This is a great pineapple marinade when you don't have a lot of time.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Jamaican Jerk Marinade

    Jamaican jerk marinade

    Claire Cohen

    You've heard of Jerk seasonings and Jerk rubs, well this is a Jamaican jerk marinade that gets that great jerk flavor deep into the meat. You can use this marinade on all kinds of meat and poultry.

  • 06 of 10

    Greek-style Lamb Marinade

    Greek style lamb marinade

    The Spruce

     

    This Greek-style lamb marinade can be applied to any meat but is particularly good on lamb dishes. Let the meat marinate for a while so the flavors can infuse.

  • 07 of 10

    Brisket Marinade

    Brisket marinade

    The Spruce

    Whether you are smoking or grilling a brisket, this brisket marinade will add a lot of flavors and help tenderize the meat.

  • 08 of 10

    Mexican Marinade

    Mexican Marinade
    Regarding BBQ, Inc.

    This Mexican marinade can be used on practically any meat or Mexican-style dish. You'll get a great lime and cilantro flavor without overpowering the flavor of the meat.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Beef Rib Marinade

    Beef Rib Marinade

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    This beef rib marinade adds a lot of flavor to your beef ribs. The acid from the lemon juice and vinegar will increase tenderness once they are smoked.

  • 10 of 10

    Bulgogi Marinade

    Homemade Barbecue Korean Beef Bulgogi

    bhofack2 / Getty Images

    This is the traditional bulgogi marinade recipe for Korean bulgogi, which is a marinated steak cut into strips and served up on lettuce leaves or rice. This is also a great marinade for any cut of beef.