The Marinade

Transform your dishes with "The Marinade"—a versatile, flavor-packed recipe that brings a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet to any meal. This quick and easy marinade blends olive oil, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar for a rich base, enhanced by the subtle sweetness of honey or maple syrup, the bold kick of Dijon mustard, and the aromatic depth of minced garlic and thyme. A splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the flavors, while paprika, black pepper, and optional chili flakes add a customizable heat. Ready in just 10 minutes, this marinade works beautifully with proteins like chicken, beef, or tofu, as well as vegetables, ensuring tender, juicy, and deeply flavorful results. Whether you’re grilling, roasting, or pan-searing, this all-purpose marinade guarantees a gourmet touch to any dish. Perfect for meal preps and quick weeknight dinners, "The Marinade" is your go-to secret for culinary success!

Nutriscore Rating: 38/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup olive oil
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
• 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves (fresh or dried)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine olive oil, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk until well blended.

Step 2

Add honey (or maple syrup) and Dijon mustard to the bowl. Continue to whisk until the mixtures emulsify.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and thyme leaves.

Step 4

Season the marinade with black pepper, paprika, and chili flakes, adjusting spices to your heat preference.

Step 5

Transfer the marinade to a sealable bag or container. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Step 6

For marinating, add your choice of protein or vegetables to the marinade, ensuring it is well-coated. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.

Step 7

Cook your marinated ingredients as desired: grilling, roasting, pan-searing, or baking.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	342.9 grams (342.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1300

Total Fat 117.10g	150%
Saturated Fat 17.50g	88%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2844mg	124%
Total Carbohydrate 55.50g	20%
Dietary Fiber 2.00g	7%
Total Sugars 44.90g
Protein 7.50g	15%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 76mg	6%
Iron 3mg	19%
Potassium 511mg	11%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 80.7%

Protein: 2.3%

Carbs: 17.0%