Marinades Mean You'll Never Have To Serve Dry Meat Again
How marinades can help your BBQ meat stay tender Tuesday, July 04, 2017
Marinades can be the perfect solution to problems with dry meat. Marinades not only provide a big flavor boost, but they make meat more tender since they break down fat and meat tissue.
As the food absorbs the marinades liquids, it stays tender even after being on the hot, dry grill.
For marinades to work, they have to actually touch the meat. Combine the ingredients in a re-closeable bag and seal it after squeezing all of the air out. Put it in the refrigerator to keep bacteria growth down. Keep turning it often to make sure all the surfaces have a chance to absorb the marinade.
Marinades Work Best With These Types Of Meat
Marinating thick cuts of meat generally doesn't work well, since the marinade can only come in contact with the outer layer. Soaking it longer only makes the outer layer dissolve and doesn't help the inside.
Barbeque Bob's Rule of Thumb: Thinner cuts of meat, especially beef or pork, are the best choice for marinating.
It's not a good idea to marinate meat that is already relatively tender, such as seafood or chicken. If you do use a marinade on any of these types of meats, it should be for less than an hour. This is long enough for it to add flavor without ruining the meat.
All Marinades Need Two Things
Marinades need to include two basic ingredients. First, they need an acid. This can be alcohol such as wine or whiskey, dairy products such as yogurt or buttermilk, or citrus juices. These break down the meat fibers and add flavor.
The second ingredient is an emulsifier. This is generally some type of oil, such as extra virgin olive oil. Using oil in marinades helps carry the flavor deeper into the meat.
A Basic Marinade For Beef
This is a basic marinade that works for all types of beef.
3/4 cup red wine
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
2 tablespoons fresh herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, tarragon or rosemary)
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Combine the wet ingredients and then whisk in the olive oil. Stir in the herbs and spice. Add meat and marinate for six hours.
A Tasty Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
1/4 cup green onion, minced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup. soy sauce
1/4 cup wine
Combine all the ingredients and mix well. This marinade tastes even better if you mix and refrigerate it for a few hours before you add it to the meat. It works well with chicken.
Sweet Pork Marinade Recipe
1 cup soy sauce
1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice
1 cup brown sugar
Combine the ingredients and stir until sugar dissolves. Add more lemon juice if you want it less sweet. Add meat and marinate overnight.
Once you try these recipes for marinades, you can begin experimenting with other acids and emulsifiers, as well as other herbs and spices. With time, you can develop marinades that perfectly suit your own taste preferences.
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