Why You Should Love Marinades and Rubs
You already know that meat needs to be juicy, tender and flavorful to please patrons. But did you know marinades and rubs have multiple benefits besides locking in moisture during the cooking process? See more reasons why they’re a must-have in your back of house:
Cooking Magic
Few things are more disappointing than a dry cut of meat. In addition to preserving moisture, marinades and rubs offer even more benefits during cooking.
- Quality Marinating meat acts as a buffer against heat and longer cook times.
- May Extend Shelf Life. Marinades that use natural ingredients can extend the shelf life of the meat.
- Balance Flavor, Boost The fat content in marinades helps distribute the flavors throughout the cut. Meanwhile, acids break down the proteins in meat to tenderize it.
- Kickstart Browning. Salt and other seasonings work to form that appealing brown crust on the outside.
Cost Benefits
Marinades also have advantages for your inventory and bottom line.
- Increase Water-Holding Marinades lock in the moisture during cooking.
- More Moisture, Better Yield. When your meat retains moisture, you lose less weight during That means more sellable food per purchased pound.
Creative Potential
The sky’s the limit for flavor experiments! It’s fun for you and exciting for diners.
- Menu Create more dishes using a variety of bold marinades for one protein.
- Global Flavor Diners of all ages are interested in trying foods from global cuisines, and marinades and rubs are an easy way to offer a variety.
Recipes to Try Out
Kickstart your inspiration with these bold seasoning combinations:
- Spiced Harissa & Citrus Oven-Roasted Turkey: Featuring a hot harissa-citrus rub with garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, olive oil, salt and
- Korean BBQ Turkey Steak Sandwich: Turkey glazed with gochujang, soy sauce, honey or maple, rice vinegar, garlic and
- Korean BBQ Turkey Wonton Tacos: Turkey thigh roast marinated with sesame oil, sake and soy sauce, plus green onions, fresh ginger, garlic, toasted sesame seeds and Korean red pepper powder.
The power of marinades and rubs is impossible to underestimate on your menu. Besides giving meat the amazing flavor and appealing look diners want, they’re also a cost-saving measure for the back-of-house. How will you use them on your menu? Let us know on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Sources:
“Marinades Based on Natural Ingredients as a Way to Improve the Quality and Shelf Life of
Meat: A Review – 2023 – National Library of Medicine
“Rethinking Clean-Label Marinades” – Meat + Poultry
“Serving Up Satisfaction With Innovation in Food Services” – 2025 – Provider
“The Chemistry of Marinades: How They Impact Flavor and Tenderness” – 2023 – Casa Bella
