Orange, Lime and Cumin Marinade
In short: A citrusy marinade of orange and lime juice, garlic, cumin and oregano that flavors pork, chicken, shrimp and grilled vegetables. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 100 kcal
Orange and lime juice make a marinade that is sharp and sweet at the same time, and cumin, garlic and oregano give it a warm, earthy backbone. It suits pork shoulder or chops, chicken thighs, shrimp, firm fish and thick slices of zucchini or sweet potato. The acid tenderizes, so keep the marinating times short for seafood and moderate for meat. Mix a batch in a jar, pour it over, then grill or roast the food.
Instructions
- Grate the zest from one orange first, then squeeze the oranges and the limes. Measure the juices.
- Whisk the orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl, or shake them in a jar. Stir in the cilantro.
- Put 1 kg (2.2 lb) of pork, chicken, shrimp, fish or vegetables in a resealable bag or dish. Pour the marinade over and turn to coat.
- Refrigerate: 15 to 30 minutes for shrimp and fish, 1 to 2 hours for vegetables, and 2 to 6 hours for pork and chicken.
- Remove the food and let the excess drip off. Cook on a hot grill or in a hot pan or oven.
- Cook pork to 63°C (145°F) and chicken to 74°C (165°F). Discard the used marinade, or boil it hard for 3 minutes if you want to use it as a sauce.
Tips
- For pulled pork, marinate a 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) pork shoulder overnight, then roast it covered with the marinade at 160°C (325°F) for about 3 hours, until it shreds easily.
- Pineapple juice can replace the orange juice for a sweeter flavor, but marinate for only 1 to 2 hours, because pineapple breaks down meat quickly.
Questions and answers
How long can I marinate pork in a citrus marinade?
Marinate pork for 2 to 6 hours, and no more than 12. Citrus juice softens the surface of the meat if it sits too long.
Can I freeze meat in this marinade?
Yes. Freeze it in a sealed bag for up to 3 months and thaw it overnight in the fridge. It marinates while it thaws.
What can I serve with citrus marinated meat?
Serve it with rice and beans, grilled corn, a cabbage slaw, warm tortillas or roasted sweet potatoes. A squeeze of fresh lime on top brightens it.
How long does it take to make Orange, Lime and Cumin Marinade?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Orange, Lime and Cumin Marinade?
About 100 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 100 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
