Level Up Your Summer Dinners With These Flavor-Packed Grilling Marinades
Here in Minnesota, firing up the grill for the first time is a moment I LIVE for. 🤩🔥 It’s a sign that warmer days are surely upon us (and that’s a big deal in a place where it’s freezing or buried in snow for half of the year).
I’ve shared my passion for grilling over the past 7+ years, helping PWWB readers realize how simple and approachable the grill can be. Over the years, we’ve covered everything from grilling 101 basics (like how to light your grill without burning your eyebrows off!) to my all-time fave 2-Zone Grilling Method.
But hands down, one of the most frequently asked questions I get from readers during grilling season is, “How do I get the most flavor out of my grilled meals?” Marinating is the answer!
A grilling marinade soaks your meat or veggies in a bath of savory-sweet, aromatic flavor, often for several hours, infusing major deliciousness and depth from the inside out. This imparts much more flavor than a dry rub or simple seasoning, which is seasons the outside of the meat or veggies.
Over the years, I’ve learned that a good grilling marinade comes down to 5 key ingredients: oil, acid (to tenderize), salt (for flavor and a natural brine), sugar (to create crave-able, caramelized char), and flavor-boosting aromatics, like herbs and spices.
All 15 of these easy marinade recipes have been obsessively tested to ensure they nail that perfect balance in flavor. They use pantry-staple ingredients and take 10 minutes or less to whip up. From there, the process is totally hands-off – just let it rest while you hang by the pool! 😎
Grill Like a Backyard Pro ⭐
Step-by-step tutorials (like how to light the grill without burning your eyebrows off) & obsessively-tested tips (for juicy, charred results). Designed for meat lovers & vegetarians alike!
The 15 Best Marinades for Grilling
Grilling marinades are one of the easiest ways to bring bold flavor to any summer meal. Give one (or all!) of them a try and taste the difference for yourself.
All-Purpose Grilling Marinade
There’s a reason why this is our PWWB House marinade! Pantry staples like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar make it easy to whip up this zesty, sweet, and spicy marinade on a whim. And it makes everything taste extra delicious.
Pairs well with ⇢ Literally anything! 💁🏻♀️ Chicken, pork, beef, fish, lamb, veggies, and more.
Al Pastor Marinade
If you’ve ever had pastor-style street tacos, I know you’re jumping out of your seat right now! 🤩 This Mexican-inspired grilling marinade uses pineapple, orange juice, and pantry-friendly achiote paste to create a beautifully sweet heat with crave-able crispy edges.
Pairs well with ⇢ Pork, chicken, fish, and veggies.
Brown Sugar Bourbon Marinade
For whiskey lovers and whiskey haters alike! (I’m not much of a whiskey person, but Chris is – we both freak out over this grilling marinade.) Sweet, oaky bourbon pairs beautifully with balsamic vinegar, which tones down the harshness of the whiskey. Together, they create a tangy, rich sweetness that feels majorly fancy but is super simple to make. 💃🏻🕺🏻
Pairs well with ⇢ Steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, and veggies.
Chili Lime Marinade
Inspired by my favorite Mexican seasoning salt blend – Tajín! This acidic, smoky-sweet marinade uses tons of lime, staple spices (paprika, cumin, chile powder, and oregano), and a little honey for sweetness. The spices come to life on the grill and the honey caramelizes, creating a crispy skin on whatever it touches. 😋
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken (especially skin-on thighs, drumsticks, or a whole grilled chicken), beef, pork, fish, and veggies.
Cuban Mojo Marinade
A taste of tropical sunshine! ☀️ This zesty grilling marinade uses lots of freshly squeezed oranges, lemons, and limes to create bright and citrusy, Cuban-inspired flavor. I’ve also added 2 variations for a spicy and smoky mojo marinade – less traditional but definitely delicious.
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, pork, fish, seafood, and veggies.
Greek Marinade
We’re pretty obsessed with Mediterranean flavors here on PWWB! This is my go-to chicken marinade for everything from wings to bowls and has been a reader favorite since 2019. 🍋 You’ll use lots of lemon, garlic, and oregano, but the tenderizing Greek yogurt is the game-changing ingredient!
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, pork, lamb, fish, seafood, and veggies.
Honey Harissa Marinade
You only need 7 ingredients to make this sweet and spicy grilling marinade, a shockingly easy shopping list given how much flavor is involved! 🌶 It’s the perfect balance of spicy (from harissa, a North African red chili paste) and sweet (from the honey), tickling your tastebuds just enough without burning them off. The right amount of everything!
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, pork, beef, lamb, fish, and veggies.
Honey Mustard Marinade
It’s hard to resist the charm of honey mustard’s sweet and tangy goodness (the combo always takes me back to the classic dipping sauce of my childhood! 🥰). This grilling marinade is perfectly balanced, ridiculously crowd-pleasing, and much more versatile than you might give it credit for.
Pairs well with ⇢ Beef, pork, fish, shrimp, veggies, and, of course, chicken tenders!
Korean Bulgogi Marinade
This recipe comes from my Grandma Marian’s kitchen! 🌺 She made her bulgogi with Hawaii pantry staples like shoyu, brown sugar, and sesame oil, plus tenderizing Asian pear. Brown sugar is the Hawaii-inspired twist, adding a little extra sweetness that caramelizes beautifully over the hot grill. Perfect for any backyard or Korean BBQ!
Pairs well with ⇢ Kalbi, beef, chicken, pork, fish, and veggies.
Simplest Lemon Herb Marinade
SIMPLE is the name of the game with this recipe, but don’t be fooled – it’s still seriously flavorful. Who knew 4 ingredients could make such a big impact?! It’s the fastest grilling marinade in this collection (ready in 5 minutes!) and all that lemon, garlicky, herbaceous goodness quickly infuses anything with bright flavor. 🍋
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish, shrimp, and veggies.
Maple Balsamic Marinade
Maple syrup and balsamic vinegar balance out into a rich and caramelly marinade that gives your tastebuds a tickle of tang and sweetness in every bite. As a big bonus, the pure maple syrup caramelizes beautifully on a hot grill for crispy char. 🔥 The perfect bridge between late summer and early fall flavors!
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, and veggies.
Shawarma Marinade
Every time I make shawarma-anything, I wonder why I don’t do so more often. 🤤 It’s so simple to make, especially if your spice rack is well-stocked! This easy grilling marinade celebrates the warmth of Middle Eastern spices, balancing them with some lemon juice and honey to create that sought-after caramelized crust of traditional spit roasted shawarma.
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, beef, lamb, fish, and veggies.
Mom’s Teriyaki Marinade
The marinade that ignited my love affair for all things grilled! My family’s savory-sweet teriyaki reminds me of summers on Lake Superior sailing the Apostle Islands. The boat we chartered had a teeny tiny kitchen, so my Mom (being the no-fuss lady she is 💁🏻♀️) always prepped a few meals ahead of time. Her grilled teriyaki was always the highlight.
Pairs well with ⇢ Thinly sliced steak, chicken, pork, fish, shrimp, and veggies.
Tuscan Marinade
Tuscany is well-known for its pasta and wine, but did you know it’s also Italy’s grill-loving and meat-obsessed region? 🔥 This Tuscan-inspired lemon, garlic and herb grilling marinade embodies just about everything I love about Italian cooking. It’s made with the simplest ingredients but delivers SO. MUCH. FLAVOR.
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, pork, lamb, fish, veggies, and especially a juicy grilled steak.
Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Marinade
The flavors in this marinade taste incredibly complex, but it’s so simple to prepare. You’ll use umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce and fish sauce, vibrant lemongrass and bright lime juice to hit on all the crave-worthy elements of Vietnamese-inspired flavors. 😋 While I don’t like naming favorites, this one is quickly climbing the ranks.
Pairs well with ⇢ Chicken, beef, pork, fish, shrimp, and veggies.
🔥 Looking to up your grilling game this summer? Be sure to check out my How to Properly Grill Any Vegetable Guide – no grill basket, no aluminum foil, and no skewers required!
I can’t wait for you to try these 15 Best Marinades for Grilling this summer! These easy recipes are tested to perfection and very well-loved here at the PWWB House. I think you’ll be obsessed too!
If you do give them a try, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!
Is there any way to make a printable sheet of these? Maybe a back and front with the ingredients? I would love to put it on my fridge for easy access this summer! These are the BEST!
Hi Deanna! You can print each of the recipes easily – just click through & tap “Print Recipe” at the top of the page! 😊
The teriyaki was to die for!
Absolutely delicious:)
Will be making it again and excited to try the other marinades.
So glad you enjoyed, Janine! It’s hard to choose a favorite personally, but if I had to, the teriyaki would be at the top of my list too. Hope you try another soon! xx Jess
I love these marinades. Totally foolproof and easy to whip up. Super flavorful and not intimidating at all. My faves are teriyaki, all purpose and the greek(ish)! Jess is wonderful as always. Five stars!!
You’re the best, Ann! So glad you love them! xx