This easy soy sauce marinade with honey and garlic is full of flavour and takes just minutes to make. It’s perfect for grilling, tray bakes, or quick stir-fries. Use it to marinate chicken, pork, or beef — whatever you have on hand!
Why you will love this recipe
This is an incredibly versatile marinade that is wonderfully flavourful. It complements chicken, pork or beef perfectly and it can be used in a variety of different ways: grilling, tray bakes, roasting, stir-fries… It is also an incredible recipe when it comes to meal prep – try freezing your meat directly in the marinade for exceptional flavour and tenderness.
Marinating Method
Marinating meat may sound difficult but it really is so simple! The marinade is created by mixing all of the different ingredients together in a large bowl. There is no cooking involved at this time, it is just a case of assembling your ingredients.
Then you place the meat in the bowl, making sure every piece of meat is coated with the marinade. Cover, and put it into the fridge until you are ready to use it.
Generally, meat should be marinated for at least 30 mins for it to start taking on the flavour of the marinade. However, you can marinate it for longer, even over night if you wish.
You then cook your meat as desired: on the BBQ, in the oven or in a pan, it’s up to you!
As you can see, it is extremely simple to marinate meat. In my opinion, the most difficult part is being organised enough to think about marinating it before you’re ready to start cooking!
Ingredients needed to make this easy soy sauce marinade with honey and garlic
Ingredients (for 750g-1kg meat)
- 125ml soy sauce (gluten free if necessary)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp honey
Ingredient tips and substitutions
Soy Sauce
This is the main part of the marinade, so it is important to use the best quality soy sauce possible. I like to buy soy sauce that is 100% soy. I find that the quality is superior and it is also gluten free which is a great bonus for our family, some of whom are allergic to gluten.
Lemon
Always use freshly pressed lemon juice in this recipe, bottled lemon juice does not have the same flavour at all.
Garlic
While I prefer fresh garlic in this recipe, it is possible to use 1 tsp dried garlic instead. You could also add some grated ginger for extra flavour.
Honey
I love the sweetness honey brings to this marinade, but if you don’t have any to hand, you can swap it for 2 tsp brown sugar or 1 tbsp maple syrup.
How to Make Easy Soy Sauce Marinade
This recipe is incredibly easy, simply mix together all the ingredients, add the meat and leave to marinate for at least 30 mins and up to 6 hours or overnight in the fridge. Alternatively, you can freeze the meat in the marinade for easy meal prep.
Serving Ideas for this Easy Marinade
- Whole Chicken Thighs served on a sheet pan with your favourite seasonal veggies – cook in the oven for around 40 mins
- Chicken kebabs using skinless, boneless chicken thighs – cube the chicken into 2.5 cm cubes and place on a skewer. Cook in the oven for about 30 mins 200°C. They would also be amazing on the grill. Serve with rice and steamed veggies for an easy meal.
- Chicken breasts – the marinade will make them more tender. Cook whole in the oven for about 30 mins or on the grill.
- Pork chops, grilled or fried.
- Pork tenderloin, roasted or grilled and then sliced.
- Thinly cut beef steaks, grilled
- Strips of steak stir fried with veggies and served with noodles.
- Serve with a salad, such as this Summer Roast Vegetable Salad with Roquette.
FAQs
How long should I marinate chicken, pork, or beef in this soy sauce and honey marinade?
I like to marinate meat for at least 30 mins and up to 6 hours for best results.
Is this marinade gluten-free?
If you use gluten free soy sauce, this marinade will be gluten free. Be sure to read the ingredients on your soy sauce before using if you are sensitive.
What cooking methods work best with this marinade? (grilling, baking, stir-frying?)
You can use any cooking method you like with this marinade, but my personal favourite is grilling.
Can I make this marinade without honey or substitute it?
Yes you can substitute with maple syrup or a couple of tea spoons of brown sugar.
How can I adjust the marinade if I want it spicier or less sweet?
If you like spice, add a few chilli flakes to the mixture and reduce the amount of honey (or leave it out completely) if you prefer.
Let me know in the comments below how you used this easy soy sauce marinade. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on social media @candleinthekitchen, I love seeing your creations!
Easy Soy Sauce Marinade with Honey and Garlic for Chicken, Pork or Beef
Ingredients
- 125 ml soy sauce gluten free if necessary
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Mix together all the ingredients.
- Add the meat and leave to marinate for at least 30 mins and up to 6 hours or overnight in the fridge.
- Alternatively, you can freeze the meat in the marinade for easy meal prep.
- Cook as desired.
Leave a Reply