5 Easy Marinades for your Barbecue

Looking for something original for your barbecues? Why not try homemade marinades? We offer 5 very easy marinade ideas to add a touch of originality and plenty of flavor to your meats, fish and vegetables.

Marinades are ideal for adding more flavor to your dishes and prevent meat from drying out too much during cooking; in the end, you enjoy juicier meat or vegetables with a more pronounced taste.

The marinating time will depend on the food, but poultry and white meats require at least 3 hours in the refrigerator, while red meat needs 4 hours. Fish and vegetables require less time. If you don't have enough time, cut the meat into small pieces; this will speed up the process, allowing the marinade to penetrate the flesh more quickly. For fish, leave it whole and simply pour the marinade over it.

Marinade 1: Spreads

Here's an original way to use your spreads and tapenades at your barbecue. While you might have used them simply as an appetizer, you can also incorporate them into your marinade. You can do this very simply and quickly by coating your meats, fish, and vegetables with a thin layer, or by mixing your spreads with a little olive oil and spices for a more elaborate recipe. For red meats, don't hesitate to pair them with bold flavors, such as chorizo ​​piperade or olive tapenades . For fish, I recommend milder flavors so as not to overpower the delicate flesh, such as vegetable spreads like ratatouille cream. Vegetables, on the other hand, go with almost any flavor, so let your creativity be your guide!

Marinade 2: Mustard

Here's a very easy and quick marinade idea: use mustard! Cover your meat with a thin layer of mustard and let it sit for a few hours. The mustard will tenderize the meat and, during cooking, will form a beautiful crust all around—delicious! It's best to use whole-grain mustard , which will add more texture to the marinade, or flavored mustard, which will give your meat an extra touch of flavor. I recommend this marinade especially for red meat, as it will better balance the flavors, or it can be used with vegetable skewers.

Marinade 3: Flavored Oil

Probably the simplest and quickest marinade : olive oil with herbs de Provence. You can choose a pre-flavored olive oil , or simply brush your fish and vegetables with a good olive oil and add herbs de Provence . This marinade is ideal for vegetables and fish with a more delicate flavor, which will pair perfectly with this subtle and balanced marinade.

Marinade 4: Spices and Herbs

For lovers of spicy flavors, barbecue marinades are the perfect playground for experimenting with new tastes. Simply mix a little olive oil with your choice of spices and marinate meats and fish in it for several hours. Success guaranteed! You can use just one spice, like red curry (perfect for meats), combine several, such as Herbes de Provence and Cajun Blend (ideal for fish and vegetables). Or, even simpler, use a ready-made spice blend, such as a barbecue mix , or repurpose a Faraony Valley Allspice blend to season your white meats.

Marinade 5: Honey

If you enjoy sweet and savory flavors , try honey-based marinades. Choose a fairly liquid honey, such as Burgundy honey , whose texture is easier to work with, then combine it with either a little lemon and a few sprigs of rosemary or with spices of your choice. The honey will tenderize the meat, give it a sweeter flavor, and during cooking, it will form a beautiful, simply delicious caramelized crust.

All you have to do now is get started!