5 Best BBQ Marinades That Transform Any Meat

A great marinade does more than add flavor—it tenderizes meat and creates those beautiful caramelized surfaces we all love. Here are five go-to marinades that work with almost any protein.

1. Classic BBQ Marinade

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Best for: Chicken, pork, beef

Marinating time: 2-8 hours

2. Asian-Style Teriyaki

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin or rice wine
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tsp rice vinegar

Best for: Chicken, pork, salmon

Marinating time: 30 minutes - 4 hours

3. Mediterranean Herb

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper

Best for: Lamb, chicken, vegetables

Marinating time: 2-6 hours

4. Spicy Chipotle Lime

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 3 limes
• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
• 2 tbsp adobo sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt to taste

Best for: Chicken, shrimp, pork

Marinating time: 1-4 hours

5. Korean BBQ (Bulgogi Style)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Asian pear, grated (or 2 tbsp pear juice)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp gochujang (optional)
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Black pepper

Best for: Beef (especially thin-sliced), pork

Marinating time: 2-12 hours

Marinating Tips

Do's

✅ Always marinate in the refrigerator ✅ Use non-reactive containers (glass, plastic, or stainless steel) ✅ Turn meat occasionally for even coverage ✅ Pat meat dry before grilling for better searing

Don'ts

❌ Don't reuse marinades that touched raw meat ❌ Don't over-marinate delicate proteins (seafood: max 30 min) ❌ Don't use acidic marinades for too long (can make meat mushy)

Marinating Time Guide

Create Your Own Marinades with AI

Use BBQ Menu AI to get customized marinades based on your available ingredients and flavor preferences!

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What's your secret marinade ingredient? Share in the comments!