Lemon Cilantro Marinade

Brighten your dishes with the zesty vibrance of this Lemon Cilantro Marinade, a quick and versatile recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Packed with fresh cilantro, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of honey for natural sweetness, this marinade strikes the perfect balance of freshness and warmth with earthy cumin, smoky paprika, and a dash of optional red pepper flakes for spice lovers. Infused with garlic and a touch of lemon zest, it’s perfect for marinating chicken, fish, shrimp, or even hearty vegetables, enhancing their flavor with bold Mediterranean-inspired notes. Whether you're grilling, roasting, or pan-searing, this citrusy cilantro marinade is your go-to for effortless, vibrant meals. Plus, it’s easily stored for up to three days, making meal prep a breeze!

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup (packed) Fresh cilantro
• 0.5 cup Lemon juice
• 0.25 cup Olive oil
• 3 whole Garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest

Directions

Step 1

Wash and pat dry the cilantro, then roughly chop it. Measure 1 packed cup of cilantro and set aside.

Step 2

Peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.

Step 3

In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves, honey, ground cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.

Step 4

Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, adding 1 teaspoon of zest to the mixture.

Step 5

Blend or process the ingredients until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated.

Step 6

Taste the marinade and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or honey as desired.

Step 7

Transfer the marinade to a clean jar or airtight container. It can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Step 8

To use: Pour the marinade over your choice of protein or vegetables (chicken, fish, shrimp, or hearty vegetables work well). Let marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours before cooking as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(234.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	629.3

Total Fat 57.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2378.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 32.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.4g	0%
Total Sugars 20.5g
Protein 2.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 70.1mg	0%
Iron 3.3mg	0%
Potassium 341.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 78.9%

Protein: 1.4%

Carbs: 19.7%