Best Practices for Storing and Using Marinades

1. Storage Tips:

   • Always use glass or plastic containers that are safe for food. This helps to avoid any bad reactions.
   • If you make marinades with fresh ingredients, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
   • For longer storage, freeze the marinade. It can stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.

2. Marination Times:

   • If you’re marinating chicken, keep it in the marinade for about 30 minutes to 2 hours.
   • For beef, let it soak for 2 hours to overnight.
   • Seafood usually needs less time, about 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Safety Tips:

   • Don’t reuse marinades that have touched raw meat unless you boil them first. This step is important to keep food safe and avoid germs.

4. Making Flavors Better:

   • A great marinade should have 3 parts:
     • Acid (like vinegar or citrus juice), which should be about 30%. This helps make meats tender.
     • Oil (like olive oil or vegetable oil) should be 50%. This adds richness and moisture.
     • Seasonings (like herbs and spices) should make up the last 20%. This is what gives the marinade depth of flavor.

5. How Much Marinade to Use:

   • For the best flavor, use around ½ to 1 cup of marinade for every 1 pound of meat. This amount helps the flavors soak in well.