A marinade is a savory, acidic sauce in which a food is soaked to enrich its flavor and tenderize it. To marinate means to steep food in a marinade. When meat is properly marinated, a tender meat bursting with flavor will emerge. Consider these tips.
• A marinade consists of acid, oil and spices or flavorings. The acid works to soften and flavor the meat by denaturing it. When the proteins are denatured, they create pockets in the meat where flavor enters. Acids also can help soften tough cuts of meat. Acids commonly used include vinegar, tomato juice or citrus juice. Oils moisten the meat and add flavor. Red meat marinades often don’t include oil since the meat generally contains enough fat, however chicken and fish benefit from oil since they are leaner meats. Flavorings include fresh or dried herbs and spices, fresh garlic and ginger, salt, sweeteners such as molasses and honey and Asian sauces.
• When marinating, allow the sauce to sink as deeply as possible into the meat. A general rule of marinade-to-meat ratio is one-half cup of marinade per pound of meat. Times vary depending on the type, cut and size of the meat. Denser meats such as pork and steak can marinate for 24 hours or even longer. A lighter meat like chicken can marinate between 2 hours and 24 hours. Seafood marinating times range from 15 to 60 minutes. Be careful not to exceed marinating time since allowing food to soak too long can result in toughness.
• A marinade should be thin enough in consistency to penetrate the meat; otherwise, the flavor desired will not be reached. Keep in mind that there is a difference between sauces and marinades.
• Marinating budget cuts of meat helps improve tenderness and flavor. A high-quality cut of meat does not need to be marinated for tenderness, but can benefit from increased flavor. Much of the beef, pork, lamb and poultry are bred leaner today. Marinades aid in tenderizing these meats.
• Do not marinate in a metal container since the acidic mixture can react with the metal. Use a plastic or glass container and cover with plastic food wrap. Turn meat occasionally so all sides are coated evenly with the marinade. Another option is to place the meat in a plastic food bag, pour in the marinade, seal and refrigerate. Turn the bag from time to time.
• For safety, marinate meat in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter. Some older recipes call for marinating at room temperature. Do not follow this practice. Marinating at room temperature causes meat to enter the danger zone, between 40 F and 140 F, where bacteria multiply rapidly. When a recipe calls for marinating at room temperature, increase the marinating time, and leave in the refrigerator to achieve similar tenderness and taste results. Place marinating meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent any possible leaks onto foods below.
• Never serve cooked meat on the same plate that held raw meat. Bacteria in the raw juices can transfer to the cooked food. If using marinade for basting, prevent contamination by setting some aside before it touches the raw meat. If it has touched raw meat, bring it to a rolling boil in a sauce pan for one minute, stirring constantly, before using it for basting.
• Use a meat thermometer to determine if meat is done. The USDA recommends the following minimum internal temperatures: steak, roast and fish, 145 F; pork, ground beef and egg dishes, 160 F; chicken breasts and whole poultry, 165 F.
By: Darlene Christensen - Jul. 2, 2011
FAQs
Making a mouth-watering homemade marinade isn't rocket science! You simply need to follow this simple formula: an acidic ingredient to tenderize the meat (think vinegar, juice, yogurt, or mustard), fresh herbs and spices for added flavour, and a fatty ingredient, such as oil or butter.
Which should be avoided when marinating? ›
Avoid these common cooking mistakes:
- Don't use too much salt. ...
- Don't reuse marinades or use marinades as a sauce after cooking. ...
- Don't marinate in metal containers. ...
- Don't over marinate fish. ...
- Don't freeze meats in their marinade. ...
- Don't be afraid to experiment with new flavors and ingredients.
A general rule of marinade-to-meat ratio is one-half cup of marinade per pound of meat. Times vary depending on the type, cut and size of the meat. Denser meats such as pork and steak can marinate for 24 hours or even longer. A lighter meat like chicken can marinate between 2 hours and 24 hours.
What liquid is best for marinade? ›
By the six-hour mark, the most tenderizing marinades were the same—orange juice, lemon juice, tomato sauce, and yogurt—with the addition of rice vinegar.
Should you poke holes in meat before marinating? ›
Soaking your meat in marinades helps add flavor while making your meat tender. However, depending on how thin you have cut your pieces of meat, the marinade may fail to penetrate all that deep. In such cases, poking holes in your meat will help all the ingredients fully absorb and not remain on the surface.
What are the 4 key elements to a good marinade? ›
To craft a good marinade, the key ingredients you'll need are salt, acid, oil, and a touch of sugar. Salt is crucial as it helps to tenderize the meat or vegetables by breaking down their fibers, allowing them to absorb the marinade's flavors more deeply.
Which are the 3 basic components in marinating meat? ›
A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices).
Should you salt meat when marinating? ›
I'd even go so far as to say that the most important ingredient in any marinade is salt, period. So no disputes there. And for sure, marinating can enhance the exterior of meat by promoting browning.
Do you put meat in the fridge when marinating? ›
Always marinate meat and poultry in the refrigerator, and boil the used marinade if you want to brush it on the meat or poultry while it's grilling. Do not save the used marinade.
Do not refrigerate your meat while it's marinating? ›
Always Marinate in the Refrigerator
Some older recipes call for marinating at room temperature. DO NOT FOLLOW THIS PRACTICE. Marinating at room temperature causes the meat to enter the “Danger Zone” (between 40°F and 140°F), where bacteria multiply fastest.
Marinades typically feature an oil and an acid — but the sky's the limit for creativity: For your oil base, try olive, peanut, truffle, sesame, walnut, or chile oil. You can also use milk, coconut milk, buttermilk, or yogurt. For acids, experiment with different types of vinegar, wines, beers, lemon, or lime juice.
How many hours should meat be marinated? ›
Boneless chicken breasts only need about two hours. Pork loin can soak for four hours. Lamb can go from four to eight hours. Beef can marinate for 24 hours or more.
How to marinate properly? ›
How to Marinate Safely
- Marinate foods in the refrigerator; don't leave them on the kitchen counter. ...
- Don't return cooked meat to the unwashed plate you used to carry the raw marinated meat to the oven or grill. ...
- Never reuse marinades to prevent the risk of contamination that can lead to food-borne illnesses.
The rule -of-thumb ratio for marinades is 3-to-1, three parts oil and 1 part acid. For example, you would mix 1 cup oil (olive, canola, or vegetable) and ⅓ cup acid such as a vinegar, lemon or lime juice or other citrus, or wine.
How long is best to marinate meat? ›
Information. Most recipes for marinating meat and poultry recommend six hours up to 24 hours. It is safe to keep the food in the marinade longer, but after two days it is possible that the marinade can start to break down the fibers of the meat, causing it to become mushy.
What are the three main ingredients when marinating? ›
A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices). These elements work together to transform the taste and texture of your dish in different ways.
Do you rinse meat after marinating? ›
It is suggested that after you have marinated meat for a length of time – you should wash it off prior to cooking. However, this is dependent on what oils and spices you use, often it is down to personal preference.
