25 Easy & Delicious Marinade Recipes for Your Next BBQ


First off, what is a marinade?

Marinade is typically a sauce made with different herbs and spices, oil, vinegar, salt, etc. in which the meat, fish or poultry is soaked before cooking in order to have great flavor or to soften it. Aside from sauces, a dry rub is also an effective way of infusing flavours to raw food before cooking.

How long do you have to marinate the meat, fish, or poultry?

Marinating time depends on the type of marinade that you’ll be using. Typically, you can marinate meat, fish or poultry from 30 mins to overnight while being stored in the fridge. Each of the recipes below have their own instructions regarding the time. Read on and choose your favorite.

1. Easy Balsamic Steak Marinade

via: Wholesome Yum

Let’s start with the basics – a 5-ingredient balsamic marinade for your steak. This is such an easy and flavourful recipe in under 5 minutes.

2. Mom’s Teriyaki Sauce

Via: Plays Well With Butter

After seeing this photo, we were already convinced that it’s going to be a good one. Who doesn’t like some teriyaki for a BBQ?

3. Cajun Grilled Fish Seasoning

Via: What to Cook Today

BBQ isn’t just about meat and poultry, having fish every now and then is a good shift from the usual. Good thing about this recipe, you can use it with any type of fish that you want.

4. Best Steak Marinade

Via: Cooking Classy

According to Cooking Classy, this may only be the marinade recipe that you may need in your life! And we think it’s a keeper!

5. Chicken with Nectarine Fruit Salsa

Via: Food Faith Fitness

A marinade recipe that comes with fruit salsa is a sure winner! This is just perfect for that BBQ party that’s waiting to happen.

6. 5 Easy Marinade Recipes

Via: Gimme Some Oven

Now this might be different from the list cause Gimme Some Oven gave us not just one but five amazing easy steak marinades! We can’t choose just one so here it is.

7. Garlic & Herb Chicken Marinade

Via: The Gunny Sack

Garlic & herb, anyone? Enjoy this easy recipe on your next getaway! This is just flavourful that’s perfect for salad or pasta.

8. Greek Chicken Marinade

Via: Foodie Crush

Another great recipe from Foodie Crush! We just love the classic Greek flavor on this one and can you believe that she used some yogurt? Just amazing!

9. 4-Ingredient Chicken Marinade

Via: No Biggie

No long introduction is needed for this one. Probably one of the easiest chicken marinade out there.

10. Just a Great Chicken Marinade

Via: Recipe Tin Eats

This is another chicken marinade that will make your chicken BBQ tender and juicy! Definitely a must-try in the household.

11. Easy Salt & Pepper Balsamic Steak Marinade

Via: Simply Delicious Food

When it comes to steak, you can never go wrong with this simple balsamic marinade. You probably have all the ingredients in your cupboard already.

12. Easy Chipotle Chicken Marinade and Sauce

Via: Sweet Peas and Saffron

Looking for something a bit spicy? Check this easy chipotle marinade and sauce and you’ll never believe how good it is.

13. Shawarma Marinade

Via: Plays Well With Butter

This shawarma marinade is another winner from Plays Well with Butter! A recipe that’s so simple yet so full of flavour from different herbs and spices.

14. Simple Marinated Grilled Pork Chop

Via: Taste of Home

A marinade that we think you can actually use for any types of meat. In just 10 minutes, you got yourself a perfectly flavoured BBQ.

15. Spicy BBQ Chicken Marinade

Via: Chilli Pepper Madness

Personally, I love anything spicy and this is one recipe that will surely be on my list. You can easily adjust the level of spiciness depending on your taste!

16. Mexican Chicken Marinade

Via: Bake Eat Repeat

Another marinade that’s perfect for any poultry. Very easy but very flavourful – just perfect for simple family gatherings.

17. Sweet & Smoky Dry Rub for Ribs

Via: The Kitchen Magpie

Now, dry rubs are also a great way of adding flavor to your BBQ. This sweet & smoky dry rub can be your next go-to dry rub for your BBQ. It’s also just 105kcal per serving!

18. Dry Rub Chicken Wings on the Grill

Via: Grilling Companion

Ever wondered how they make those perfect chicken wings? This might be a good one to try so you’ll never have to ask anymore.

19. BBQ Spice Dry Rub

Via: No Spoon Necessary

A homemade spicy dry rub that you’ll probably use every summer from now on! This is very easy to make and just plain delicious.

20. Brisket Dry Rub

Via: Downshiftology

Another simple dry rub recipe for your brisket BBQ! Perfect combination of sweet and smoky and it’s good for grilling or even oven brisket!

21. Tri Tip Marinade

Via: A Sweet Pea Chef

Tri Tip is also a lean cut of beef that’s perfect for a healthy BBQ. You can try any of these three marinades that we think are all equally delicious!

22. Three Easy Asian BBQ Lamb Marinades

via: Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary

If you’re looking for a lamb marinade, you should check this one out. Three Asian marinades for lamb BBQ that just so easy and delicious!

23. Best Steak Marinade

Via: Lil Luna

There’s just so many steak marinades out there but this one from Lil Luna is just so easy and tasty! Comes with only 4 ingredients, perfect for those sudden urge to have a BBQ party!

24. Marinated Salmon with Garlic & Herbs

Via: Dinner at the Zoo

A hearty and healthy recipe for grilled salmon. You can never go wrong with this one! Try it also with other types of fish.

25. The Best Grilled Shrimp

Via: The Recipe Critic

Shrimp skewers will always be a thing during summer. Try this easy and healthy shrimp recipe and you’ll never regret it.