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Fresh jalapeños, garlic, oranges and limes combine to create one of the best marinades we have ever made. I came home from the farmer’s market one weekend with lots of fresh citrus and a bag full of mixed hot peppers. I knew that I wanted a marinade from some of it. When I stumbled onto this recipe, it looked perfect.
Over the past three years, this has become one of my favorite marinades. Whether it’s beef for Carne Asada, a simple pork roast in the crock-pot, Mojo Chicken in the oven or on the grill, or Broiled Salmon, everything I have ever tried with this marinade has turned out fabulously.
The photo above is a quadrupled recipe. We make plenty each time and freeze it for future use. I love the unique twist that the orange provides and the jalapenos were just spicy enough without overtaking all the other flavors in this marinade. We make this marinade all year long, but especially through the summer grilling season.
Ingredients
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 jalapeño very finely minced
- 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves about 3 tablespoons finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt adjust as desired
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper adjust as desired
- 2 limes juiced
- 1 orange juiced
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the very finely minced garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, salt and pepper. Using a mortar and pestle or your hands, mash together and crush to make a paste. Scrape into a jar and then add the orange and lime juices, vinegar and oil. Shake really well to combine thoroughly. Use as a marinade for beef or chicken. Enjoy!
{originally posted 4-3-13 – recipe notes and photos updated 4-22-15}
ONE YEAR AGO: Old Fashioned Ham Balls
TWO YEARS AGO: Chipotle Chicken and Rice
THREE YEARS AGO: Southwestern Po’dunk Sauce
Ok, making this! On a side note, I love the layers that it makes in the mason jars…how beautiful, Mary:-). I love every single flavor in this marinade.
I've made a marinade for chicken that is similar… but this sounds even better with the added orange juice! Can't wait to try this!
This looks amazing, and you're completely right, what a fantastic recipe for the summer and a grill. 🙂
Those white peppers are amazing! I think citrus and hot peppers go so well together, now you've got me pining for a farmer's market, ours won't start for a while now.
I guess I am just going to start coming to your house for dinner 😉
what nice color!!!
I love the name and the ingredient list. BBQ season is upon us! Can't wait to get grilling.
this is a winner, ready for all kinds of summer grilling. (which seems to have arrived early in Nashville–90 degrees on April 3rd is crazy-hot !)
It's always good to have lots of marinades available. This one is pretty!
Yum! I've never made my own marinade before, but I obviously need to change that! This looks and sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing. I hope you are having a wonderful Spring week!
Wow, this sounds good, love all your ingredients! I guess it's getting to be that 'grilling time' of year;-)
Hey why are you leaving pork out of the mojo fun? This would do great on a pork roast too.
This sounds wonderful. It would make any meat taste delicious!
sound nice!
Yum!
Tried your chicken bbq, loved it!
i have never thought of freezing marinade…does it work well? will try this one soon.
I love this ingredient list, we'll definitely have to try this this summer!
Citrus spicy goodness. Sign me up!
This recipe speaks to me in so many languages! I love it and I am definitely going to make it as I have everything necessary:) Yes, I collect hot peppers and then frantically look for the ways to use them:)
I save all my tiny jars (artichokes, capers, etc.) and I can use them for this! Can you tell how much I am excited?
Have a great weekend!
Ok, now I will have ANOTHER mason jar on permanent residence in my fridge. This sounds fantastic!