A meat marinade is the process of soaking meat in a seasoned liquid. This is referred to as marinating. Meat marinades have been used for centuries by cooks world wide. Whether the base for the marinade is vinegar, lemon juice,yogurt, or wine the basics of a meat marinad is an acid based liquid.

Usually herbs and spices are added to the acidic liquid base to enhance the flavor of the meat before cooking. Oil is also added to help lubricate the meat. Meat marinades can tenderize tough meats as well as vegetables. The time decided to marinate the meat depends on the cook and their taste preferences. Some may use meat marinades for several hours before cooking, while others may marinate their foods for several days before cooking.

Meat marinades work by the acid base of the marinade. The acid in the marinade causes the meat to break down. This causes the meat to become tender and allows it to easily absorb the rich flavors of the herbs and spices. You don’t want to over marinate with your meat marinades however. Because of the breadown process, over marination can result in a disastrous piece of meat.

You can marinade your meat and return it to the refrigerator and let it soak in the juices. You can purchase store bought meat marinades, or you may make them yourself. To create your own meat marinades, the sky is the limit and your only recipe needs to be your creativity. Here are some basic guidelines that will help you create your own custom made meat marinades.

Meat Marinades: Create Your Own

To begin with, you will need to choose your acid base. This can be wine, vinegar, yogurt, citrus juice, or lemon juice. A simple rule of thumb is to use 1 cup of liquid per pound of meat. Remember to add a few tablespoons of oil such as Olive Oil, and your seasonings. Some great seasonings to use with meat marinades include onion, garlic, rosemary, dill, mint, sage, and thyme.

Always use your meat marinades to marinate your food in the refrigerator. You never want to marinate foods at room temperature because this could cause dangerous bacteria to grow. Let marinate for several hours or overnight, then cook your favorite meat.