Citric Acid Free Citrus-Garlic Marinade

Total time10 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time0 min

4.5

(16)

This bright, herbaceous marinade gets its citrus punch from freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice rather than any processed additive, which is exactly what makes it work for anyone avoiding manufactured citric acid. The kind found in packaged foods and bottled sauces is a fermented industrial ingredient — entirely different from the naturally occurring acids in a whole piece of fruit — so squeezing your own juice here is the key move. Garlic, ginger, fresh thyme, and rosemary layer in serious depth, while turmeric adds a warm, golden hue that looks stunning on chicken or fish before it even hits the heat. A drizzle of raw honey rounds everything out with just a touch of sweetness if you want it. The whole thing comes together with a 30-second whisk, and it keeps in the fridge for up to three days, so you can prep ahead and have a flavor-packed marinade ready to go on a weeknight. Chicken and pork soak beautifully for a few hours, while fish only needs about half an hour before it's ready to cook. Simple, clean, and genuinely delicious.

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Ingredients

4 servings

¼ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 medium orange)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
1 tsp lemon zest
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tsp turmeric
½ tsp fine sea salt
1 tbsp raw honey (optional)

Instructions

1
Juice the orange and lemon into a small bowl, then finely grate the lemon zest directly into the bowl.
2
Add the olive oil, garlic, ginger, thyme, rosemary, turmeric, and salt to the citrus mixture. Add the honey, if using.

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