Lemon Garlic Herb Marinade
In short: A bright, all-purpose marinade of lemon juice and zest, olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs for chicken, fish, shrimp, vegetables and tofu. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 175 kcal
Lemon, garlic and herbs make a marinade that works on almost everything you grill, roast or pan-fry. The lemon juice seasons and slightly tenderizes, the oil carries flavor and keeps lean cuts moist, and garlic and herbs do the rest. This one is whisked in a bowl in five minutes. It is enough for about 700 g (1.5 lb) of chicken, fish, shrimp, vegetables or tofu, with marinating times from 20 minutes for shrimp to a few hours for chicken.
Instructions
- Zest the lemons first, then squeeze them. Measure 60 ml (1/4 cup) of juice and 2 teaspoons of zest.
- Whisk the lemon juice, zest, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the marinade looks cloudy and slightly thick. Stir in the parsley and oregano.
- Put your chicken, fish, vegetables or tofu in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over and turn to coat everything.
- Refrigerate: 20 to 30 minutes for shrimp and thin fish, 1 to 2 hours for vegetables and tofu, and 2 to 6 hours for chicken pieces. Do not marinate fish or shrimp for longer than 30 minutes, because the acid turns the flesh mushy.
- Lift the food out and let the excess drip off before cooking on a grill, in a hot pan or in the oven.
- Throw away any marinade that touched raw meat or fish, or boil it hard for 3 minutes before using it as a sauce.
Tips
- If you want a fresh sauce at the table, set a few tablespoons of marinade aside before it touches any raw food and serve it over the cooked dish.
- Swap the lemon for lime and the parsley for cilantro, or use orange juice and rosemary for pork.
Questions and answers
How long should I marinate chicken in lemon marinade?
Marinate chicken pieces for 2 to 6 hours, and no more than 12. Too much acid and time turns the surface of the meat dry and chalky.
Can I freeze meat in the marinade?
Yes. Freeze the chicken or pork with the marinade in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. It marinates as it thaws overnight in the fridge.
Can I make the marinade ahead?
You can mix it up to 3 days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Add the fresh herbs on the day for the best color and flavor.
How long does it take to make Lemon Garlic Herb Marinade?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lemon Garlic Herb Marinade?
About 175 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 175 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 465 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
