Are marinades worth it? We tested what they do what they don’t do and how they can go wrong.
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mashed | 2022-08-07 01:00:04 |  121,106 Views |
The Best Way to Marinate Meat According to Science
Serious Eats / Tim Chin
Marinating has two basic functions. It acts as a brine as the salt in the marinade penetrates the meat and spices it more completely keeping it juicy even after cooking; the ideal marinating time for the brine effect is between one and eight hours. Marinades are otherwise merely a surface treatment that adds flavor and enhances browning although this is a benefit that does not improve over time as the marinade will not penetrate the meat to any significant extent. Finally tenderizers such as acids bases and enzymes can have beneficial effects although they can also lead to poor texture and flavor if used in too high a concentration or left on the meat for too long.
Every year when grilling season rolls around moms dads and general summer barbecue enthusiasts knock the rust off their Webers oil their grates and carefully navigate their home’s outdoor fire rules. And for those who love meat (and even those who don’t) many make and use marinades to add flavor and enhance texture and juiciness.
