The Perfect Go-To Marinade for Grilling

I just love this marinade because it is a cinch to whip up. I nearly always have all the ingredients hanging out in my kitchen. It’s also very versatile. It’s it’s great for chicken, pork, veggies, shrimp, etc…

Here’s what you need:

Rosemary is a great herb for grilling. It grows practically year round. It is hearty. It doesn’t just burn up in the heat of the grill. It is also very aromatic and has a strong woodsy flavor so I like to balance it out with bright, acidic flavors like fresh lemon and whole grain mustard. The lemon and mustard also tenderize the meat as it marinates and the mustard helps with forming a crust as the meat is grilling.

Fresh rosemary has a rough texture so it needs to be minced or crushed as finely as possible. Whisk it with the minced garlic, lemon juice, mustard, salt and olive oil.

Toss the marinade with any meat or veggies you plan to grill and and pop it in the fridge for at least four hours for pork or chicken, if not overnight. Shrimp, fish and most vegetables are a bit more delicate and can easily become overwhelmed by the marinade so I would recommend marinating those for only a couple hours tops.

And as always, a well oiled, preheated grill is necessary to create that perfect crust!

For more outdoor cooking inspiration, try my Grilled Corn and Vegetable Salad, Grilled Chicken Shawarma Skewers with Avocado Tzatziki or Tamarind, Honey and Lime Marinated Skirt Steak!