Barbecue Marinade

Prep: 10 min Cuisine: American

A flavorful barbecue marinade combining Worcestershire sauce, citrus juice, garlic, and spices, ideal for tenderizing and enhancing grilled meats with a savory-sweet profile.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup cooking sherry
  • 1/3 cup orange or pineapple juice
  • 2 or 3 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix Worcestershire sauce, cooking sherry, orange or pineapple juice, pressed garlic, brown sugar, ground ginger, and black pepper well.
  2. Add steaks to the marinade and allow to marinate for at least 30 to 60 minutes.
  3. Cook the marinated steaks on the grill to your desired level of doneness.

Tips & Substitutions

For an extra kick, consider adding a tablespoon of chili sauce relish to the marinade. If you don't have cooking sherry, white wine or apple cider vinegar can be good substitutes. Adjust the garlic to your taste—more garlic will enhance the flavor. This marinade works well with chicken or vegetables for a delicious variation on classic American recipes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the grilled steaks with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Pairs beautifully with Ambrosia Fruit Cocktail Salad for a refreshing contrast. A side of baked potatoes or corn on the cob also complements the smoky flavors of the barbecue marinade.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If using it for marinating, discard any that has come into contact with raw meat. To reheat marinated steaks, grill them over medium heat until warmed through, ensuring they don’t dry out.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Barbecue Marinade contains roughly 186 calories, with 4g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (29% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and calcium. It also contributes 7g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.

186 kcal 9% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 3.6g 7% DV
Total Fat 1.4g 2% DV
Carbs 45.4g 17% DV
Fiber 7.2g 26% DV
Sugar 22.1g 44% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 20mg 1% DV
Potassium 524.8mg 11% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 7mcg 1% DV
Vitamin C 6mg 7% DV
Calcium 124.3mg 10% DV
Iron 5.2mg 29% DV
Diet fit High-fiber Under 400 cal Low-fat

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this marinade for chicken or pork?

Absolutely! This barbecue marinade works wonderfully with chicken and pork. Just adjust the marinating time; chicken should marinate for at least 1 hour, while pork can benefit from a longer soak for maximum flavor.

How long can I marinate the meat?

For best results, marinate the meat for at least 30 to 60 minutes. However, for more intense flavor, you can marinate it for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Just be cautious not to exceed this time, especially with more delicate meats.

Can I make this marinade ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the marinade ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even tastier when you use it to marinate your steaks.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

American recipes → Vegan recipes → Vegetarian recipes → All recipes →