Discover the best easy marinade recipes to infuse chicken, fish, and veggies with bold Mediterranean flavor, just in time for grilling season!
Marinating is one of the simplest ways to elevate your cooking. With just a few pantry staples—like extra virgin olive oil, citrus or vinegar, garlic, spices, and fresh herbs—you can transform ordinary proteins and vegetables into something truly special. Whether you’re grilling, roasting, or pan-searing, a good marinade infuses your ingredients with flavor, making every bite delicious.
In the Mediterranean kitchen, marinating is more than just a technique; it’s a celebration of flavor and tradition. From the zesty notes of lemon and oregano in Greek dishes to the rich complexity of Dijon mustard in French cuisine, marinades are essential for bringing out the best in your ingredients. Incorporate some of our favorite marinades and wait for the applause; this is what being the hero of dinner feels like!
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All-Purpose Marinades
These versatile marinades are staples in my kitchen. They pair beautifully with a variety of proteins and vegetables, making them perfect for meal prep or spontaneous weeknight dinners.
Greek Chicken Marinade
This garlicky, lemony, herbaceous marinade is a classic in Greek cuisine. It works wonders on any cut of chicken, whether you’re grilling, baking, or pan-searing. It’s also delicious on grilled salmon. The combination of fresh herbs, citrus, and olive oil infuses the meat with vibrant flavor, making it a go-to for any Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Best Chicken Marinade
This yogurt-based marinade is a game-changer for achieving tender, juicy chicken. The acidity of the yogurt, combined with citrus, garlic, and a medley of Mediterranean spices, breaks down the proteins in the meat, resulting in a succulent texture and rich flavor. It’s incredibly versatile and perfect for grilling. It’s also among my favorite ways to make a delicious roasted chicken!
Marinades from Specific Recipes
These marinades are integral to their respective recipes, showcasing how a well-crafted marinade can define a dish’s character and depth, but they’re all
Easy Balsamic Chicken Marinade
This bold balsamic glaze-based marinade—sweetened with honey and seasoned with garlic, lemon juice, and herbs—transforms simple chicken into a succulent, flavor-packed dish. The tangy sweetness of the balsamic vinegar pairs beautifully with the savory spices, making it a delightful option for a quick, satisfying skillet meal. Make your own Balsamic Glaze as a base or pick up a bottle at the store! Its equally delicious on Sautéed Zucchini and Blistered Tomato Bruschetta!
Zesty Garlic Marinade
To make the juiciest chicken kabobs, I first dust the meat in a dry spice blend, then coat it in minced garlic and lemon juice. With a couple of hours in the fridge, the bold flavors penetrate the meat, ensuring each bite is juicy and aromatic. It’s a fantastic choice for grilling season. These chicken kabobs are particularly tasty with a drizzle of Tahini Sauce.
Smoky Seafood Marinade
With a base of lemon juice, garlic, a trio of warming spices, and extra virgin olive oil, this seafood-friendly marinade enhances the flavor of fish without overpowering it. Blitz it up in the blender in moments! It works well with any hearty fish, including halibut, monkfish, swordfish, mahi mahi, salmon, and cod. No need to marinate for long; even 15 minutes does the trick!
Souvlaki Marinade
This traditional Greek marinade combines garlic, Greek oregano, rosemary, paprika, olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice. It’s essential for authentic chicken souvlaki, imparting a depth of flavor that transports you straight to the streets of Athens. You can also use it on pork or lamb. Puffy pita breads for wrapping and Tzatziki Sauce on the side are a must!
Dressings That Double as Marinades
Some of my favorite salad dressings are so flavorful that they can easily pull double duty and work beautifully as marinades, too. Make a big batch and call it meal prep!
Greek Salad Dressing (Ladolemono)
This simple Greek dressing, made with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano, is a versatile staple. Its bright, tangy flavor makes it an excellent marinade for fish, chicken, or vegetables, infusing them with a refreshing zest. It’s also a key ingredient in our Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken, this citrusy Shrimp and Broccoli Skillet, and Roasted Branzino—yum!
Vegan Green Goddess Dressing with Tahini
Packed with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and tahini, this creamy vegan dressing is not only perfect for salads but also serves as a delightfully nutty and herbaceous marinade for Grilled Vegetable Kabobs or Green Goddess Chicken Thighs, either on the grill or in the oven.
Dijon Vinaigrette
This tangy vinaigrette, featuring Dijon mustard, shallots, and Champagne vinegar, is a fantastic marinade for a variety of proteins, especially chicken, pork, or salmon. Its sharp, savory notes penetrate the meat, a simple yet effective way to elevate your meals.
Lemon Vinaigrette
Bright and citrusy, this quick lemon vinaigrette is more than a salad dressing—it’s a secret weapon for marinating chicken, shrimp, or even hearty vegetables. Fresh lemon juice and a touch of mustard bring the zing, while a touch of honey balances the acidity beautifully. It’s especially good drizzled over grilled asparagus.
Basil Vinaigrette
This vibrant green vinaigrette, made with loads of fresh basil, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, doubles as a flavorful marinade. It’s especially delicious on grilled zucchini or chicken, and it’s a great way to use up a bunch of basil during peak season. A splash of red wine vinegar adds just the right tang.
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Thank you Suzy!!! I got these recipes today in your email, and I’ve printed them all out to have a great resource of recipes and suggestions right on hand to use all the time! I especially love that most of the recipes use my pantry basics! Wonderful and thank you again!
Enjoy, Deborah!!