Xanthan Gum Free Smoky Paprika Cilantro Lime Marinade
This marinade is bold, bright, and deeply aromatic — smoked paprika and cumin lay down a warm, earthy backbone while fresh lime juice and zest cut right through with citrusy punch. Minced garlic and a generous handful of chopped cilantro round everything out, making it the kind of marinade that transforms even a simple weeknight protein into something that tastes genuinely intentional. Every single ingredient here is a whole, recognizable pantry staple — no stabilizers, no thickeners, no additives of any kind — so you can mix it together with complete confidence about what's going into your food. The technique is straightforward: whisk the oil and citrus first to get a loose emulsion, then work in the spices until the mixture turns that gorgeous, deep rust-orange color. It works beautifully on chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables, with flexible marinating times that let you plan ahead or pull dinner together on short notice. Make a batch on Sunday and keep it in the fridge for up to three days — your future self will absolutely thank you.
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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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