Savory Armenian Herb Marinade
Experience the rich flavors of Armenian cuisine with this delightful herb marinade, perfect for enhancing your grilled meats. This marinade combines the zesty brightness of lemon juice, the earthy tones of dried herbs, and the aromatic allure of garlic and onion, ensuring a juicy and flavorful result. Ideal for marinating beef, lamb, pork, or chicken, the marinade not only infuses your protein with complex flavors but also helps tenderize it, creating an unforgettable dish that will impress family and friends. For best results, marinate your meat for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight, allowing the flavors to fully penetrate.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooking oil or olive oil
1/3 cup (measured)
Chopped onion
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
Tomato juice
1/2 cup (liquid)
Lemon juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
Snipped parsley
1/4 cup (fresh, snipped)
Salt
1 teaspoon (measured)
Dried marjoram
1 teaspoon (crushed)
Dried thyme
1 teaspoon (crushed)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cooking oil (or olive oil), chopped onion, tomato juice, lemon juice, snipped parsley, salt, dried marjoram, dried thyme, pepper, and minced garlic until well combined.
2
Transfer the marinade into a large zip lock bag or a shallow dish.
3
Add your choice of lamb, pork, beef, or chicken, ensuring that the meat is thoroughly coated with the marinade.
4
Seal the bag (or cover the dish) and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, or preferably overnight, turning the bag or stirring the meat occasionally to ensure even marination.
5
When ready to cook, remove the meat from the marinade, discarding any excess marinade, and grill to your preferred doneness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Armenian Herb Marinade?
It is a flavorful herb marinade inspired by Armenian cuisine, combining lemon juice, dried herbs, garlic, and onion to enhance grilled meats.
What types of meat are best for this marinade?
This marinade is ideal for beef, lamb, pork, or chicken.
How long should I marinate the meat?
For best results, marinate the meat for at least 4 to 6 hours, though overnight is preferred for deeper flavor.
Does this marinade help tenderize meat?
Yes, the marinade not only infuses the protein with complex flavors but also helps tenderize it.
What oil should I use for the marinade base?
You can use either standard cooking oil or olive oil, depending on your preference.
Is tomato juice a required ingredient?
Yes, 1/2 cup of tomato juice is used to add acidity and depth to the marinade.
How much garlic is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 clove of minced garlic.
What specific herbs are included in the marinade?
The marinade uses fresh snipped parsley, dried marjoram, and dried thyme.
Should the dried herbs be prepared in a specific way?
Yes, the dried marjoram and dried thyme should be crushed before being added to the mix.
How much onion is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
While the recipe suggests 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, bottled can be used as a substitute.
What is the best way to mix the marinade?
Whisk all the liquid and herb ingredients together in a medium bowl until well combined.
What container should I use for marinating?
You can use a large zip lock bag or a shallow dish, ensuring the meat is thoroughly coated.
Should I turn the meat during the marinating process?
Yes, you should turn the bag or stir the meat occasionally to ensure even marination.
Do I need to refrigerate the meat while it marinates?
Yes, the meat must be refrigerated for 4 to 6 hours or overnight while marinating.
Can I reuse the marinade after removing the meat?
No, you should discard any excess marinade once the meat is removed for cooking.
How should the marinated meat be cooked?
The marinated meat is designed to be grilled to your preferred level of doneness.
What is the flavor profile of this marinade?
It has a savory profile with zesty brightness from lemon, earthy tones from herbs, and aromatic notes from garlic and onion.
How much salt and pepper are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Is this marinade suitable for a quick meal?
While the prep is fast, it requires at least 4 hours of marination time, so it is best planned in advance.
Can this be used as a chicken marinade?
Yes, chicken is one of the recommended proteins for this herb-rich marinade.
Is this an easy recipe to follow?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe involving simple whisking and marinating steps.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 10 total ingredients used to create this marinade.
How much parsley is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of fresh, snipped parsley.
Does the marinade contain sugar?
No, this specific recipe does not include any added sugar.
Can I use this for a lamb roast?
Yes, lamb is highly recommended for this Armenian-style herb blend.
What makes the marinade Armenian style?
The combination of specific herbs like marjoram and thyme along with tomato juice and lemon reflects traditional Armenian flavor profiles.
Should the meat be completely submerged?
Yes, ensure the meat is thoroughly coated with the marinade for the best results.
Can I marinate the meat for more than 24 hours?
While overnight is preferred, marinating too long (over 24 hours) may result in the lemon juice overly breaking down the meat texture.
What is the amount of oil required?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of cooking oil or olive oil.