Paleo Cilantro-Lime Turmeric Marinade
Bright, punchy, and deeply aromatic, this marinade brings together fresh lime, golden turmeric, and a generous handful of cilantro into something that makes almost any protein or vegetable taste like it came off a restaurant grill. Every ingredient here is whole and unprocessed — no soy, no sugar-laden sauces, no grain-based thickeners — so it fits naturally into a grain-free, ancestral way of eating without any substitutions or workarounds. The raw honey is optional, and the cayenne is too, which means you can dial the heat and sweetness exactly where you want them. Whisking it together takes about two minutes, and it only gets better after a day in the fridge as the garlic and spices meld into the oil. Use it on chicken thighs, shrimp, cauliflower steaks, or whatever you're throwing on the grill — just give it at least 30 minutes to work its magic, and up to eight hours if you have the time. The turmeric gives everything a gorgeous golden color and a subtle earthiness that plays beautifully against the sharp citrus and fresh herbs. Keep a jar in the fridge and weeknight dinners suddenly feel a lot more exciting.
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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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