Almond Free Smoky Paprika Cilantro Lime Marinade
Bold, smoky, and bright with citrus, this marinade is the kind of thing that makes weeknight grilling feel like a serious occasion. Smoked paprika and cumin lay down a deep, earthy backbone, while fresh lime juice and zest cut right through with a sharp, clean tang. A touch of turmeric adds warmth and a gorgeous golden hue, and the fresh cilantro stirred in at the end keeps everything tasting vibrant and alive. Every single ingredient here is straightforward pantry and produce-aisle stuff — no specialty items, no nut-based oils, no hidden almond extracts or almond-derived emulsifiers that can sneak into store-bought marinades and spice blends. You just whisk it together in one bowl and it's ready to go. It works beautifully on chicken, fish, or vegetables, with flexible marinating times so you can plan ahead or pull it together last minute. Make a batch at the start of the week and keep it in the fridge for up to three days — dinner is basically already handled.
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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
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, lime juice, and lime zest in a small bowl and whisk until the oil and juice are loosely emulsified.
- 2
Add the smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, cayenne (if using), garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the spices are fully incorporated and the mixture is uniform in color.
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