All-Purpose Marinade for Grilled Meat

In the art of cooking — especially when it comes to grilled dishes — a good marinade is the secret that transforms simple meat into something extraordinary.

The right balance of salty, sweet, and aromatic flavors not only enhances the taste but also gives your meat a beautiful color, tender texture, and irresistible aroma.

Whether you’re grilling beef, pork, chicken, or ribs, this all-purpose marinade recipe will help you master every barbecue and impress your family and friends. Just a small adjustment in ingredients or proportions can make it perfectly suited for any type of meat.

Ingredients

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup oyster sauce

½ cup fish sauce

½ cup honey and sugar (combined)

¼ cup corn syrup

¼ cup sesame oil

¼ cup cooking wine

¼ cup ground black pepper

Aromatic spice blend:

Lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and shallots – all finely minced or pureed

Optional:

A splash of fresh coconut water to add fragrance and natural sweetness

Instructions

Prepare the sauce:

Combine all sauce ingredients in a small pot and heat gently until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Make the spice blend:

In a blender or food processor, puree lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and shallots until smooth.

Marinate the meat:

For every 1 pound (450 g) of meat, use about ¼ cup of the spice mixture and ½ cup of the sauce.

Mix well and let the meat marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor.

Tips

For vegetarian dishes, simply omit the fish sauce.

To add natural sweetness and a hint of fruitiness, blend in ripe pear or apple — but only right before marinating the meat.

Use this marinade as a base and adjust to your taste: more honey for sweetness, more soy sauce for saltiness, or more lemongrass for a refreshing aroma.

Add 5 spice for pork