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Cilantro Lime Marinade

Recipe by Jenn Giam Smith

This easy Cilantro Lime Marinade is fresh, citrusy, and packed with flavor from cilantro, lime, garlic, and warm spices. Perfect for chicken, pork, shrimp, steak, or vegetables, this versatile marinade works beautifully for grilling, meal prep, freezer meals, and slow cooker recipes.

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cilantro marinade finished in a measuring cup laying on a cutting board, surrounded by the ingredients

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped and well packed (stems included)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1-3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 jalapeño, chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Add the cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, jalapeño, salt, and black pepper to a food processor.
  2. Blend for less than 1 minute, or until the marinade is mostly smooth and pesto-like in texture. Make sure the garlic is fully processed.
  3. If you do not have a food processor, finely chop the cilantro, jalapeño, and garlic by hand, then mix everything together in a bowl or shake in a mason jar until fully combined.
  4. Pour over your favorite protein or vegetables and marinate according to the recommended marinating times below.

Equipment

Notes

Use as a Marinade

  • Beef & tougher cuts: 4–24 hours
  • Chicken & pork chops: Up to 4 hours
  • Shrimp & fish: No more than 30 minutes

Use in a Slow Cooker

Pour the marinade over your choice of meat, add about 2 cups of stock or broth, and cook according to the times below:

  • 6–7 lb pork roast:
    • Low: 9½ hours
    • High: 7½ hours
  • 3–4 lb pork loin:
    • Low: 6 hours
    • High: 5 hours
  • 6 lbs chicken:
    • Low: 7½ hours
    • High: 6¼ hours
  • 3–4 lb beef roast:
    • Low: 8 hours
    • High: 5¾ hours

Storage Details

Refrigerator:

Store the marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezer:

Freeze in smaller portions using freezer-safe containers, freezer bags, or ice cube trays for easy future use. For best flavor, use within 1 year.

Find it online: https://www.jenn-smith.com/cilantro-lime-marinade/