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This Honey Soy Marinade only needs a handful of ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes. The marinade can be used to flavor chicken, pork, steak, fish, and even vegetables!
about this honey soy marinade
This honey soy marinade recipe has been my go-to for a while now. It’s incredibly easy to make and tastes way better than it has any right to, given how little effort it takes.
This marinade is basically foolproof. You just need a few ingredients from your pantry and about five minutes. Seriously, you could probably make it half-asleep before your morning coffee.
The best part is, it works on pretty much everything. I’ve used it on chicken, pork, beef, and even tofu. Oh, and pro tip: it’s great on grilled veggies too.
I usually make a big batch, pack it up in bags with various proteins, and throw them in the freezer. It’s a lifesaver on those weekdays when I have no idea what to make sore dinner. All you have to do is place the frozen marinated meat in the fridge overnight to thaw. Then you can cook it up for dinner the next night!
If you want an easy way to make your favorite proteins taste awesome without any real effort, give this recipe a shot.
ingredients
soy sauce. You can use low sodium or regular soy sauce, depending on your preference.
honey. Use your favorite honey for the recipe!
sesame oil. Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil that is made from sesame seeds. The flavor is really strong, so you don’t need to use too much in the recipe.
garlic. We always have a jar of minced garlic! The best shortcut to pay for, in my opinion. If you don’t want to use fresh garlic, you can use 2 tsp garlic powder instead.
ginger. You can grate the ginger yourself, or simply purchase it yourself at the store.
pepper. Freshly cracked black pepper will give this marinade the best flavor possible!
this recipe’s must-haves
All you need to make this recipe is a set of measuring cups and measuring spoons! You will also need a bowl from your set of mixing bowls and a whisk to make the marinade.
here’s how to make honey soy marinade
whisk together
Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the marinade in a resealable bag or airtight container with your choice of protein.
marinate
Marinate the protein for at least 4 hours, and up to 24 hours. Remove the protein from the marinade, discard the used marinade, and cook as desired. For fish and shellfish, cut the marinating time down to about 30 minutes to 2 hours.
More easy dinner recipes to make: Grilled Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers | Buffalo Chicken Tacos | Grilled New York Strip Steak | Crispy Chicken Tacos
what is the function of honey in a marinade?
Honey helps to tenderize whatever protein you are working with, especially steak.
does chicken get tough if marinated too long?
Yes, chicken can get mushy and tough if it sits in a marinade too long. So be sure to keep an eye on the time while the chicken is marinating. Make sure that you do not marinate the chicken for longer than 24 hours.
what kinds of proteins can I use this marinade with?
You can use this marinade for so many different proteins! Use it with chicken (chicken breast or chicken thighs) salmon (or your favorite fish), shrimp, and steak. You can even use it with vegetables – quickly marinade them for 30 minutes to 1 hour before throwing them on the grill!
Need some inspiration for small bites? Check out my appetizer recipes page!
side dishes to pair with your protein
There are so many side dishes you can whip up to pair with your marinated protein!
These fried Mexican potatoes are crispy with a homemade Mexican seasoning, fresh cilantro, and a touch of butter. Absolutely addictive!
Easy charred corn is a simple way to grill corn!
For a classic side dish, creamy Instant Pot mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and parmesan cheese are a staple on our dinner table.
more marinade recipes to try
This mexican chicken marinade is packed with spices and fresh cilantro! It’s ideal for making chicken tacos, burritos, nachos, and more.
For your steaks, grab this 3 ingredient steak marinade! We really like it because it makes the steak shine.
An easy all purpose marinade is a must for any protein you want to make!
Finally, if you make this honey soy chicken marinade recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
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honey soy marinade
equipment
ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the marinade.
- Add the marinade to a resealable bag or airtight container with your choice of protein or vegetables.
- Seal and place in the refrigerator. For most proteins, you will want to marinate them for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. For seafood and vegetables, marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- Remove the protein/vegetables from the marinade and discard used marinade. Cook your protein as desired!
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