The best marinade for grilling - the secret to perfectly juicy meat

Barbecuing is one of the most popular summer activities. It's a great way to enjoy great meals that are full of flavour and aroma. Whether you're grilling meat, fish or vegetables, the right marinade can turn an ordinary dish into a gastronomic treat. If you're looking for the best marinade recipe for grilling, you've come to the right place. Today, we're going to take a look at the secrets to the perfect marinades that will add flavour, juiciness and great texture to your food.

What is a marinade and why use it?

A marinade is a mixture of ingredients used to season and tenderise meat before grilling or roasting. In addition to flavour, marinades can also improve the texture of food, making meat juicier and more tender. Depending on the ingredients used, the marinade can also act as a protection against the meat drying out during grilling.

Whether you're preparing chicken nuggets, chicken gyros or slow-roasted brisket, a good marinade can work wonders.

The basic ingredients of a good marinade

1. Kyslé zložky: Citrónová šťava, ocot alebo jogurt – tieto ingrediencie pomáhajú mäso zmäkčiť a dodajú mu sviežosť a kyslosť, ktorá vyváži iné silnejšie chute.

TIP: If you use too acidic ingredients (like lemon or vinegar), don't leave the meat in the marinade for too long so that it doesn't become too sour or even rubbery.

2. Oleje: Olivový olej alebo sezamový olej sú skvelé na pridaní hladkosti a pomáhajú prísadám marinády lepšie sa na mäso prilepiť.
   

3. Sladké zložky: Med, hnedý cukor alebo javorový sirup sa používajú na jemné osladenie, čo dodáva marináde bohatú hĺbku chuti.
   

4. Bylinky a koreniny: Klasické bylinky ako rozmarín, tymián, oregano, ale aj cesnak, cibuľa alebo zázvor dodávajú marináde výraznú arómu.
   

5. Sójová omáčka a worcesterská omáčka: Tieto omáčky dodajú unikátnu chuť, ktorá obohatí vaše grilované jedlo.

Recipe for marinade for grilling

This marinade recipe is ideal for grilled meats, but it's also great for vegetables. It's simple to prepare and full of flavours that will add depth and uniqueness to your dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
  
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  
  
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
  
  
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  
  
• 3 garlic cloves (sliced thinly)
  
  
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  
  
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  
  
• Salt and black pepper to taste
  
  
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
  

Procedure:

1. In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients - olive oil, soy sauce, honey, balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper and lemon juice.
   
   
2. Stir until all the ingredients are perfectly combined and the marinade has a smooth consistency.
   
   
3. Before using the marinade, submerge the meat or vegetables in the mixture and let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 to 2 hours. For maximum effect, you can also marinate overnight.
   
   
4. Once marinated, grill according to preference - for meat this can be 5-7 minutes on each side, depending on thickness.

TIP: If you want the marinade to evenly cover all the meat, place it in a plastic bag. Close it and massage gently to distribute the marinade evenly.

Tips for using marinades:

Na mäso – Táto marináda je ideálna na grilované kuracie prsia, steaky, alebo bravčové rebierka. Vďaka sójovej omáčke a medu získate úžasnú karamelizovanú kôrku, ktorá je lahodne chrumkavá.

Na ryby – Použite na marinovanie lososa alebo tuniaka. Kyslé zložky zmäkčia ryby a olej im dodá jemnosť.

For vegetables - Vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant or peppers go great with this marinade. Just brush the vegetables lightly with the marinade and grill.

What are the benefits of marinades?

Better taste

Marinades add depth of flavour to food and enhance the natural properties of meat or vegetables.

Softer meat

Acidic additives such as vinegar or lemon help to tenderise the meat, making it juicier.

Protected from drying out

The oil in the marinade forms a protective film that helps retain moisture in the meat during grilling.

Quick preparation

Marinády sa pripravujú veľmi jednoducho a rýchlo, a okrem toho majú schopnosť výrazne zlepšiť chuť jedla aj pri krátkej dobe marinovania.
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Conclusion

The right marinade is the key to a perfect grilled meal. Try this simple recipe that is full of flavour and suitable for a variety of meats, fish or vegetables. Remember, it's important to let the food marinate for at least a few hours to allow all the flavours to combine and infuse into the meat. With this marinade, your grilled dishes will become the star of every summer!