Marinades, Batters & Oils

Marinades and Oils for Seasoning 

Marinades, seasonings and oils can add new flavors to your favorite meat dishes. Whether you want meat to taste tangy, smoky, zesty or spicy, marinating before grilling is one of the best ways to ensure an unforgettable taste. Read our Barbecue Pit Stops guide and our Griller and Smoker Buying Guide to discover the best grills to use with marinaded meats and vegetables.

You can marinate meat by glazing the meat with a marinade or injecting a marinade. For the glazing approach, use a basting brush to spread marinade evenly across the surface of a meat. For larger cuts of meat, consider a marinade injector to insert marinade inside the meat — filling every bite with flavor and moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What can I use as a marinade?

A: You can use almost any liquid, oil, sauce or condiment as a marinade for meats. From barbecue sauce to your favorite beverage, there are many options for marinating. Shop for a bottled marinade to achieve the taste you want for your recipe, or experiment and make your own marinade.

Q: Which oil is best for cooking and frying?

A: Many people view vegetable oil as the best all-around oil for cooking and frying. This cooking oil bolsters pre-existing flavors of foods, such as french fries and fried chicken. It also has a higher smoke point than other oils, so it’s perfect for frying or other high-heat cooking methods. Olive oil is another option, though its smoke point is lower. If you’re cooking slim cuts of meat without a grill, olive oil works well on a stove or range.

Q: How do I spice up meat for the grill?

A: You can soak meat in a spicy marinade before grilling to tenderize the meat while adding flavor. Also, look for a spice rub that creates a crunchy layer to meats and locks in moisture. You can experiment with your own spice combinations or try a mouthwatering, ready-to purchase seasoning blend that can do the work of mixing spices for you.