Honey Garlic Balsamic Marinade (Chicken, Pork, + Veggies)

No more boring grilled chicken and veggies! This Honey Garlic Balsamic Marinade is the easy flavor boost you need to make any grilled food more tender and delicious. Since this marinade is so packed with flavor, you really only need to let it sit on the meat or veggies for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling.

Kids in the Kitchen:

• I usually use a microplane zest to grate the garlic for this recipe right into a bowl. However, when my kids want to help, they love using a garlic press. It’s much easier for them to hold.
• Have kids help measure the few ingredients needed for this recipe, especially the salt and herbs which aren’t messy at all.
• Mix: let the kids whisk the marinade together. It will only take a minute!

Subs and Tips for making Honey Garlic Balsamic Marinade:

• Mustard: Dijon mustard add so much flavor to this marinade and I like to add a lot. However, you can reduce the amount added for a more mild flavor. You can also use a different, more mellow mustard or just omit the mustard if you prefer.
• Herbs: have some fresh rosemary or thyme? That’s also great to add to the marinade for extra flavor.
• Meat: This marinade is a good amount for 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of meat. I really like to use chicken breast and thighs. Pork chops also work really well in this marinade.
• For veggies, I like to marinade portobello mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash, asparagus, and many more.

Honey Garlic Balsamic Marinade

A super flavorful, easy boost for chicken, pork, and veggies

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning/herbs
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

 

• Use a microplane grater or garlic press to finely grate the garlic/make into a paste.
• Mix the garlic and remaining ingredients in a large bowl or baking dish (whatever you want to marinade the food in). If marinading meat and veggies, divide the marinade into separate dishes.
• Add the chicken/pork chops/veggies to the marinade and toss will to coat. Leave the food to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes at room temperate or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. (Because the marinade contains a good amount of vinegar, you don't want to marinade meat for more than 2 hours or the texture will change.)
• Grill the meat/veggies. Make sure you watch the heat and lower it as needed because the marinade has honey and can easily burn before the food is cooked through.

Notes

This marinade is a good amount for 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of meat. I really like to use chicken breast and thighs. Pork chops also work really well in this marinade.

For veggies, I like to marinade portobello mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash, asparagus, and many more.

If you don't like mustard, you can use less (make 1 tsp) for a more mild taste or omit it entirely if you prefer.

Keyword grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, marinade

Try the marinade in this recipe: Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad with Strawberry Dressing

Need more summer dinner ideas?? Check out my list of Kid-Friendly No-Cook Summer Dinners