noun / verb

marinade

mair-ih-NAYD/ˌmærɪˈneɪd/

A seasoned liquid for soaking food before cooking, or to soak food in it.

A spoon lifts the herb-flecked marinade from the bowl.

Close bowl of amber seasoned marinade with visible garlic, herbs, pepper and lemon beside it; spoon lifting liquid, no solid meal obscuring the liquid.

Etymology

marinadeFrenchspiced vinegar or pickling brine

The French noun names a spiced pickling liquid. Its connection with the sea comes through pickling in sea brine, linking the modern seasoned soak to salty liquid.

In context

Mashed0:15

A perfect marinade is like a flavor bath for your beef, chicken, fish, and pork

The Best Way To Marinate Meat, According To Science

More examples

Let the tofu soak in the marinade before baking it.
Yogurt-based marinades give chicken a tangy flavor.
We marinade the vegetables for an hour before grilling them.

Forms

marinade · marinades · marinaded · marinading

marinate verb — to soak food in a seasoned liquid

Similar words

sauce: Usually served with food rather than used for soaking beforehand.
brine: Relies on salt water rather than a broader seasoning mixture.