Sesame Free Smoky Paprika Cilantro Lime Marinade
Bold, smoky, and bright with citrus, this marinade punches way above its weight for something you can whisk together in under five minutes. Smoked paprika and cumin lay down a deep, earthy backbone while fresh lime juice and zest cut right through with a clean, tangy lift. 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. Store-bought marinades are notorious for sneaking in tahini, sesame oil, or blended spice mixes with hidden sesame derivatives — this one is built entirely from scratch, so you know exactly what's going in. Every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify, which makes it a genuinely stress-free option when you need to keep things safe. It works beautifully across proteins and vegetables alike, with flexible marinating times depending on what you're cooking. Make a batch at the start of the week and you'll have a flavor-packed base ready to go for days.
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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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