Coconut Free Smoky Paprika Cilantro Lime Marinade
Bold, smoky, and bright with citrus, this marinade punches way above its weight for something that comes together in a single bowl. Smoked paprika and cumin lay down a deep, earthy backbone while fresh lime juice and zest cut right through with that sharp, lively acidity you want on grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables. A little turmeric adds warmth and a gorgeous golden hue, and the fresh cilantro stirred in at the end keeps everything tasting vibrant rather than heavy. Many store-bought marinades sneak in coconut aminos, coconut vinegar, or coconut-derived emulsifiers, so mixing your own from scratch is genuinely the smarter move here. Every single ingredient is straightforward and easy to source, with olive oil doing all the work of carrying the spices and binding the mixture together. It keeps in the fridge for up to three days, so you can make a batch on Sunday and have flavor-packed meals ready to go all week long.
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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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