How To Marinate And Make Better Food

    Throw a bunch of things in a plastic bag, put in raw meat, go to work (or sleep), and when you come back, best friends.

    A marinade is a liquid mixture that you can soak food in before it's cooked to make it way more delicious.

    Watch out for sugar.

    Get even coverage.

    Dont poke holes in the meat.

    A longer marinade isn't always better — but it usually is.

    Some proteins need a marinade's added flavor more than others.

    Wipe it off.

    Marinades can be sauces, too.

    Now you are a master so you don't really need to follow a recipe — but just in case, here are some good ones.

    Underneath each photo you'll see the marinade ingredients and time so you can see the patterns.

    Toasted Sesame Ginger Salmon

    Miso-Glazed Tuna Kebabs

    Planked Salmon with Coconut Rice

    Grilled Fish Tacos

    Grilled Salmon with Strawberry-Avocado Salsa

    Steamed Fish with Chickpeas and Currants

    Miso-Glazed Salmon Steaks

    Seared Tofu with Spicy Stir-Fried Cabbage

    Stir-Fried Marinated Tofu and Mushrooms

    Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Tofu

    Shallot-Marinated Tofu with Miso Dipping Sauce

    Spicy Shrimp Tostadas with Jalapeno Avocado Sauce

    Drunken Shrimp

    Maple-Chili Grilled Shrimp

    Shrimp Tikka with Fresh Mango Chutney

    Spatchcocked Lemon Herb Chicken

    Brazilian Beer Marinated Chicken

    Garlic-Marinated Chicken Cutlets

    Chicken and Ginger Clay Pot

    Chicken Thighs Marinated with Homemade Ssam Paste

    Basic Buttermilk Fried Chicken

    Apricot-Glazed Chicken

    Buttermilk and Herb Marinated Chicken

    Chicken, Mushroom, and Bok Choy Kebabs

    Pomegranate-Marinated Lamb with Spices and Couscous

    Greek-Style Leg of Lamb

    Roasted Marinated Lamb with Lemon and Rosemary Potatoes

    Lamb Kebabs with Mint Pesto

    Grilled Leg of Lamb with Ancho Chili Marinade

    Marinated Lamb Chops

    Balsamic and Rosemary-Marinated Florentine Steak

    Pan-Grilled Beer-Marinated Hanger Steak

    Cola-Marinated Flank Steak with Frito Chilaquiles

    Harissa-Marinated Tri-Tip Roast Recipe

    Sirloin Steak with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus

    Hoisin-Marinated Tri-Tip Roast Recipe

    Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

    Coffee-Marinated Bison Short Ribs

    Honey-Marinated Pork with Gremolata

    Mojo Pork Kebabs

    Marinated Pork Chops

    Pork Tenderloin Marinated in Amber Ale

    Pineapple Pork Chops

    Vinegar and Spice Oven Ribs

    Burmese Red Pork Stew