Go Back

Cowboy Marinade

This recipe creates a quick and flavorful "Cowboy Marinade" using brown sugar, melted butter, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, and fresh garlic. It's a versatile, sweet and savory concoction perfect for enhancing grilled proteins like salmon, chicken, or pork, adding a rich, aromatic depth to your dishes with minimal effort.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 10 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 353.2 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Small Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Measuring Spoons
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's knife for garlic

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon margarine or butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Gather all specified ingredients and necessary kitchen equipment for easy preparation.
  • Finely chop the garlic clove, ensuring a consistent and small mince for optimal flavor dispersion.
  • If using solid butter, gently melt it in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl until fully liquid.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter/margarine, brown sugar, olive or vegetable oil, honey, and soy sauce.
  • Add the finely chopped garlic to the mixture in the bowl.
  • Whisk all the ingredients vigorously until thoroughly combined and the brown sugar is fully dissolved, creating a smooth, emulsified marinade.
  • Taste the marinade and adjust the balance of sweetness or savory notes as per your preference.
  • Use this "Cowboy Marinade" immediately to coat your desired protein, such as salmon or chicken, allowing it to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes to infuse flavor.
  • Discard any leftover marinade that has come into contact with raw protein to prevent cross-contamination.

Notes

For optimal flavor, use fresh garlic; a microplane can achieve a finer mince for better infusion. While the recipe uses margarine/butter, consider clarified butter for a richer, nuttier note, especially if grilling at high heat to prevent burning. This marinade is incredibly versatile – excellent for salmon, chicken, or even pork. For best results, allow proteins to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration. Adjust the brown sugar and honey balance to your preference, creating a sweeter glaze or a more savory base. Whisk thoroughly to ensure the honey and sugar are fully dissolved and the marinade is homogenous. Taste and adjust seasoning before adding protein.