Light Basting Sauce For The Grill

Prep: 10 min

A light and tangy basting sauce with lemon, vinegar, and soy flavor, perfect for grilling beef, pork, chicken, or lamb, adding moisture and zest to your meats.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Combine vegetable oil, lemon juice, wine vinegar, soy sauce, pepper, and salt in a tight glass jar.
  2. Refrigerate until needed.
  3. Shake well before using.
  4. Use for basting beef, pork, chicken, or lamb during grilling.

Tips & Substitutions

For a lighter flavor, consider using a citrus-infused olive oil instead of vegetable oil. You can substitute apple cider vinegar for wine vinegar if you prefer a sweeter taste. Adding fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can enhance the flavor profile. This sauce works great not only for meats but also on grilled vegetables, making it versatile for any barbecue.

Serving Suggestions

This basting sauce is perfect for grilling beef, pork, chicken, or lamb. Serve grilled meats alongside a fresh Spinach Fruit Salad for a refreshing contrast. Pair with Easy Sugared Almond Appetizers for a delightful starter. The acidity in the sauce complements rich meats beautifully, providing a balanced flavor experience.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover basting sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before using it again, give it a good shake to recombine the ingredients. Avoid reheating as it’s best used cold or at room temperature. If you want to use it as a dressing, it can be thinned with a little water or additional lemon juice.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Light Basting Sauce For The Grill contains roughly 37 calories, with 3g protein, 5g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (28% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2301mg per serving (100% of the Daily Value).

37 kcal 2% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 2.7g 5% DV
Total Fat 0.5g 1% DV
Carbs 4.8g 2% DV
Fiber 1.2g 4% DV
Sugar 1.2g 2% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2300.7mg 100% DV
Potassium 239.5mg 5% DV
Cholesterol 0.2mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 7.7mcg 1% DV
Vitamin C 25mg 28% DV
Calcium 12.5mg 1% DV
Iron 0.4mg 2% DV
Diet fit Keto-friendly Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Soy

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 sauce for marinating instead of basting?

Absolutely! This sauce can double as a marinade. Just make sure to marinate your meat for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor. However, if you want to use it for basting, reserve some sauce before marinating to avoid cross-contamination.

Is this sauce suitable for vegan diets?

Yes, this basting sauce is vegan-friendly as it contains no animal products. You can use it on grilled vegetables, tofu, or tempeh to add flavor. For more vegan recipes, consider browsing options that highlight plant-based grilling techniques.

How can I adjust the flavor if it's too tangy?

If you find the sauce too tangy, try adding a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to balance the acidity. Alternatively, you can increase the amount of vegetable oil to mellow the flavors. Adjusting the soy sauce can also help; use low-sodium varieties for a milder taste.

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).

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