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Home / Recipes / Marinades & Rubs Recipes

Jalapeno Marinade

Published: Oct 6, 2023 · Modified: Sep 28, 2024 by Sujatha Muralidhar · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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jalapeno marinade, in a bottle

This Jalapeno Marinade is a game-changer for grilling. Simply blend all the ingredients to your desired chunky texture, marinate, and enjoy the rich flavors. It infuses your meats and veggies with a spicy, tangy kick.

jalapeño marinade stored in glass jar with jalapeno slices

I often relied on store-bought marinades until I started exploring and experimenting with my jalapeno marinade. This is one of my proud recipes, allowing me to explore even more(like this jalapeno cheese stick).

It's a simple yet versatile marinade that complements a variety of proteins and even plant-based options.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe?
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Jalapeno Marinade?
  • ♨️How To Adjust The Heat?
  • Recipe Tips and Tricks
  • Storage & Reheating
  • FAQ
  • More Jalapeno Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe?

⭐️Perfect Pairing for Summer Gatherings.

⭐️Effortless Prep Work.

⭐️Customizable Heat Levels.

⭐️Hit with the Crowd.

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Jalapeños: Remove the central white membrane and seeds if you prefer less heat, or reserve them to add later based on your heat tolerance.
  • Garlic: You can substitute bottled minced garlic or garlic powder.
  • Cilantro: If you're not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with parsley or skip it entirely.
  • Oil: I highly recommend using olive oil as it combines with the jalapeños to bring out bold flavors. However, you can swap it with avocado or grapeseed oil also.
  • Lime Juice: Lime juice balances the heat. You can substitute it with lemon juice, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
  • Honey is an optional ingredient that balances the flavors. It does not add sweetness, but it does add depth.
  • Cumin: Ground cumin adds a warm flavor that complements this recipe well.

How To Make Jalapeno Marinade?

  • Prepare the Jalapeños: Slice open the jalapeno and remove the seeds and the white membrane. Depending on your heat tolerance, reserve them and add them to the blender, 
  • Blend the Ingredients: Add the jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt, and ground cumin to a blender jar. 
  • Pulse the Ingredients: Blend everything until all the ingredients are well-blended into a smooth paste. 
  • Taste and Adjust: Taste and tweak the seasoning if necessary. If you want more heat, toss another jalapeño or some extra seeds. And if you find the consistency too thick, you can quickly thin it out by adding olive oil or lime juice.
  • Marinate: Combine chicken or steak with the jalapeno marinade to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • Cook: Now you can grill, bake, roast, or sauté the meat or veggies according to your recipe or preference.
spoonful of jalapeno marinade ready  for marination

♨️How To Adjust The Heat?

This jalapeño marinade is moderately hot, but you can easily adjust it to be mild or medium by controlling the seeds and membranes.

Even after removing the seeds and membranes, the flesh of the jalapeños will still retain some heat, but the overall spiciness will be reduced.

Let me know if this works for you!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Adjust spice levels: See the section above on controlling the heat for detailed information.
  • Jalapeño heat variability: Each jalapeño pepper can have different heat levels, even when they come from the same plant. To manage the heat, remove the seeds and membranes and add them back in small amounts until you reach your desired spice level.
transferred the jalapeno marinade in an air tight container

Storage & Reheating

  • Leftover jalapeño marinade can be used in soups, stews, dipping sauces, or to spice up scrambled eggs.
  • You can store the leftover marinade in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months.
  • Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, and add a splash of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors before using.

FAQ

How spicy is the marinade?

The spiciness of the Jalapeno marinade depends on how many jalapeño seeds you leave in. Removing all the seeds will result in a milder marinade, while leaving some will make it spicier(like this Cajun coleslaw).

Can I use other chili peppers instead of jalapeños?

If you prefer a different level of spiciness or have difficulty finding jalapeños, you can substitute them with other chili peppers. However, remember that it may alter the overall flavor of the marinade.

How long should I marinate the meat or vegetables?

Marinate your meat, chicken, or steak for at least 2 hours for the best flavor. However, if you want more intense flavors, you can marinate them for up to 24 hours.

a glass jar filled with jalapeno marinade over kitchen counter

More Jalapeno Recipes

  • mango corn salsa garnished with cilantro served in a bowl lime wedges.
    Mango Corn Salsa
  • cilantro chicken soup served in a white bowl garnished with avocado and fresh cilantro
    Cilantro Chicken Soup
  • spiced apple cider served in a glass with lemon slices and the cool drink
    Spiced Apple Cider
  • cucumber jalapeno salad served in a side dish plate
    Cucumber Jalapeno Salad

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.

📖 Recipe

jalapeno marinade in a glass jar

Jalapeño Marinade

Spice up your grilling game with this Jalapeño Marinade. Enhance the flavors of your grilled chicken or steak with a rich taste(Easy recipe).
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
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Ingredients

  • 3 jalapeños seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic roughly chopped
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey optional
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin optional

Instructions

  1. Slice open the jalapeno and remove the seeds(you can leave some or all for a spicier version).
  2. In a blender or food processor, combine the jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, honey (if using), salt, red pepper flakes, and cumin (if using).
  3. Pulse until all the ingredients are well-blended into a coarse texture.
  4. Taste the marinade and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
  5. Combine the meat and the marinade and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours for more flavor.
  6. Once marinated, cook your meat or vegetables as desired, like grilling or stir-frying.

Notes

Adjust: Add another jalapeño or some of its seeds if you want it spicier. If it's too thick, add more olive oil or lime juice to thin it out.
Fridge: Keep leftover jalapeno marinade in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze it within 2 hours of making and it'll last up to 3 months.
Thawing: Thaw it in the fridge overnight or use the microwave's defrost setting carefully.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 592mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 404IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Additional Info

Course Condiment
Cuisine American, Mexican
Author Sujatha Muralidhar
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Comments

    5 from 2 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. DK says

    July 25, 2024 at 11:29 am

    Yes! I needed a spicy marinade for my pork chop recipe and this one was perfect! I also doubled the amount of garlic for that extra umami flavor and it turned out perfectly!

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    July 25, 2024 at 12:35 pm

    I used this with my grilled chicken last night, and it was so good. I love that spicy kick!

    Reply
The author image of the food blog pepperbowl.com

Hi, I'm Suja! I'm the person behind PEPPER BOWL, based in Pennsylvania. I focus on easy, simple-to-make recipes inspired by rich flavors with a hint of heat. I enjoy simplifying recipes with minimal ingredients to suit today's busy lifestyle.

More about me →

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