Sean
Marination is the process of soaking foods in seasoned, often acidic, liquid before cooking.
Marinade Ingredients
A good marinade has a balance of acid, oil, and spice. A marinade can be made acidic with ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, or wine.
How it Works
In meats, the acid causes the tissue to break down, which allows more moisture to be absorbed and results in a juicier end product. However, too much acid can be detrimental to the end product.
Directions
- Pierce the meat with a fork, or cut it into smaller pieces, to help it absorb the marinade.
- Place the meat in a sealable container or zip loc bag.
- Mix the marinade ingredients together then pour the mixture on top of the meat.
- In general, two hours of marinating is long enough for the meat to soak up the flavor, but poultry can marinate for up to two days in the refrigerator.
