Why Do We Marinate Meat?

The watchword is always to buy lean meat, so meat trimmed of any fat, as this is much better for your health. But leaner meats can be dry so to counteract this you can use marinades before you cook. Marinating meat uses a technique to soften leaner meats which also makes tougher cuts tastier. For all your Halal Meat, contact Arkenz ltd for the best lean cuts and tasty marinade recipes to make a success of every mealtime.

What are the health benefits of marinating meat?

Marinating meat is an effective way to introduce extra moisture and flavour into meat which may become too dry when cooked. Marinades use acid, fat, seasoning, herbs, spices, sugar and salt to tenderise the meat and enhance the flavour.

Types of marinade

Making a marinade is quick and easy and it allows you to control what goes into the mix rather than relying on a shop-bought product. You can count the calories and also keep it healthy by making your own.

Marinades can also help reduce carcinogenic compounds which can arise from grilling on a high heat and broiling. Marinades provide a buffer for the meat whilst it cooks.

A marinade can be whatever you want it to be and ingredients are normally chosen from the following food groups- what you choose is up to you.

Fat – fat helps retain moisture and stops sharp or acidic flavours from dominating. Choose olive oil, sesame oil, yoghurt or buttermilk.

Salt – salt in the marinade helps the flavours penetrate the tissues in the meat and loosens the muscle fibres. Use soy sauce or sea salt.

Acid – acid boosts flavours and good sources of acidic ingredients include the juice from citrus fruits, apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar.

Seasonings - take your pick-  chilli powder, ginger, garlic, Worcestershire sauce or mustard.

Herbs-  favourites include thyme, chives, basil, dill, oregano and parsley.

It’s really easy to make your own marinade in just a few minutes whether you are marinating chicken or fillet steak and if you lack inspiration, there are loads of recipes online.

Find out about our meat box service which delivers fresh, lean cuts of Halal meat all ready to cook directly to your door. If you want to learn more about the benefits of marinated meat, you can find out more on our website. tariqhalalmeats.com