Nitrate & Nitrite Free Cilantro-Lime Turmeric Marinade
Bright, citrusy, and golden from a generous hit of turmeric, this marinade is the kind of thing you'll want to keep in your fridge on rotation. Every single ingredient is whole and unprocessed — fresh lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, and a handful of spices — so there are no hidden preservatives or cured-meat-style additives to worry about. That matters more than people realize, because bottled marinades and store-bought seasoning blends are some of the sneakiest sources of unwanted additives in an otherwise clean kitchen. Here, you control everything that goes in. The turmeric and cumin give it an earthy warmth, the lime keeps it lively, and the optional cayenne and raw honey let you dial the heat and sweetness exactly where you want them. It works beautifully on chicken, fish, or vegetables — just give whatever you're cooking at least 30 minutes to soak it all up, and the flavors get even better the longer it sits. Make a batch at the start of the week and dinner basically plans itself.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp raw honey (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Zest and juice the limes directly into a small bowl, catching any seeds.
- 2
Add the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, and salt to the bowl. Add the cayenne and honey, if using. Whisk until the oil and lime juice are fully combined and the mixture looks uniform.
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