Description
Alton Brown’s fajita marinade combines zesty citrus and spices for an authentic Mexican-style dish. Bold flavors infuse chicken or beef with tangy, smoky notes that make you crave another delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tsps (10 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tsp (5 ml) salt
- ½ tsp liquid smoke flavoring
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, filtered water, minced fresh garlic, low-sodium soy sauce, kosher salt, and liquid smoke flavoring in a medium bowl until smoothly combined.
- Spice Integration: Blend freshly ground black pepper and ground cayenne pepper into the marinade, ensuring even spice distribution.
- Protein Coating: Transfer selected meat to a non-reactive container or heavy-duty resealable plastic bag, then thoroughly coat with the prepared marinade by gently massaging the liquid into the protein.
- Flavor Infusion: Seal the container securely and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight, allowing the marinade to deeply penetrate and tenderize the meat.
- Temperature Equilibration: Remove marinated meat from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, permitting it to approach room temperature for more uniform heat absorption.
- Culinary Execution: Cook the marinated protein using preferred method – grilling, roasting, pan-searing, or broiling – while maintaining recommended internal temperature for optimal safety and flavor.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Absorption: Marinate meat for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow spices and seasonings to deeply penetrate and tenderize the protein.
- Temperature Matters: Let marinated meat rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and consistent cooking results.
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use a non-reactive container or sealed plastic bag to marinate, keeping raw meat separate from other ingredients.
- Spice Balance: Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on personal heat tolerance while maintaining the complex flavor profile of the marinade.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg