Nitrate & Nitrite Free Smoky Paprika Cilantro Lime Marinade
Bold, bright, and deeply aromatic, this marinade layers smoked paprika, cumin, and turmeric over a punchy base of fresh lime juice and extra virgin olive oil for a result that tastes far more complex than the effort involved. Every ingredient here is a whole, recognizable spice or fresh produce item — no cured meats, no processed flavor packets, nothing that sneaks in unwanted preservatives. That matters a lot when you're trying to keep your meals clean, because so many store-bought marinades and spice blends rely on additives you'd rather avoid. The combination of citrus acid and fat does real work here, tenderizing proteins while carrying all that smoky, earthy flavor deep into the meat or vegetables. Fresh cilantro stirred in at the end keeps the herbaceous note bright rather than muddy. It comes together in a single bowl with just a whisk, and it keeps in the fridge for up to three days, so you can prep ahead and have dinner more than halfway done before you even turn on the stove. Whether you're grilling chicken, roasting vegetables, or marinating fish, this one is genuinely hard to get tired of.
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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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