21 Paleo Marinades, Rubs and Seasonings

As I’m planning meals, I’m always looking for Paleo marinades and rubs. Ideally, I wanted a list to come back to time and again saying, “we are having chicken, we need a marinade…” BOOM. This list.

These are fairly universal, so you can experiment with chicken, pork and beef – some seafood too. The majority of these are Whole30 complaint as well, except those with honey! I’m working my way through the list myself and will add pictures.

1. Lemon Pepper Chicken

• 1 cup olive oil
• 2/3 cup lemon juice
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 medium onion diced

2. Hawaiian Baked Chicken with Pineapple Topping

• 1 – 20oz can Pineapple chunks (juice reserved)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• salt
• pepper

Pineapple Topping

• 2 Tbsp Ghee
• 1 Tbsp Dijon
• 1 Tbsp Honey (not on Whole30)
• Reserved Pineapple Juice

3. “Soy” Lime Garlic

• 3 garlic cloves
• 3 Tbsp lime juice
• 3 Tbsp soy alternative, i.e. coconut aminos
• 1 Tbsp complaint Worcestershire
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

 4. Finger-licking Chicken Marinade

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Paleo mayonnaise
• 3 Tbsp Complaint Worcestershire
• 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 Tbsp Salt
• 1 Tbsp Pepper (personally, I’ll cut this is 1/2)
• 2 Tbsp Dried Thyme
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Salt

5. Paleo Sweet Garlic Chicken

• 8 cloves of garlic
• 8 Tbsp raw honey
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 Tbsp parsley, chopped
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

6. Balsamic, Dijon and Thyme Marinade (Chicken or Pork) 

• 3 Tbsp Balsamic
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Dijon
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp dried thyme

7. Backyard Chicken Marinade

• 1 1/2 Tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 3 Tbsp Dijon
• 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/3 cup Lemon Juice
  • Combine all ingredients and marinate chicken in 1/2 of marinade. Warm remaining 1/2 of marinade on stove and pour over chicken to serve.

8. Honey Sriracha

• 1/2 cup Sriracha
• 1/4 cup Coconut Aminos
• 2 Tbsp raw honey
• 2 tsp ginger root, grated
• pinch of salt

9. Cilantro-Sesame Chicken

• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/3 cup sesame oil
• 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 inch chunk of ginger, peeled and grated
• 2 tsp, sesame seeds (optional)

10. Sriracha Lime Chicken (over salad greens) with Lime Vinaigrette 

• 3 Tbsp Sriracha
• 1 lime juiced
• Salt
• Pepper

Lime Vinaigrette

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 limes juiced
• 2 tsp raw honey
• pinch of salt

11. Honey Balsamic

• 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 Tbsp raw honey
• Salt
• Pepper
  • Combine above ingredients for marinade. Cook chicken in pan with an additional Tbsp of olive oil.
• 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Ghee
  • Combine Balsamic and Ghee to toss the chicken in before serving

12. Southwest Marinade/Rub (Chicken and Pork)

• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup butter, or Ghee
  • Whisk all ingredients together, reserve 1/2 cup for basting.

13. Kickin’ Chicken Marinade (chicken, pork or shrimp)

• 1 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 cloves of garlic

14. Cilantro Lime Chicken

• 3 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 2 limes, juice and zest (or 4 Tbsp)
• 1 lime sliced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

15. Jalapeno-Lime (chicken wings)

• 2 jalapeños, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 Tbsp coconut aminos
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 1 tsp cumin
• Lime, juced
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • Combine all ingredients in food processor. Use to marinate 2 lbs of chicken wings or other chicken cuts.

16. Orange and Honey Beef Kebabs

• 1/2 Orange, juiced
• 1/2 Onion, grated
• 1 tsp oregano (basil)
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • Combine all ingredients to marinate. Thread meat on kebab skewers and grill. Or place in freezer bags to use later.

17. Dijon-Maple Chicken

• 1/2 cup Dijon
• 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper
  • Combine ingredients and marinate chicken. After cooking, garnish with some fresh chopped rosemary.

18. Chili-Lime Rub 

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Lime, juice and zest
  • Combine all ingredients in large storage bag. Let marinate and bake or grill.

19. Garlic- Balsamic Crusted Pork

• 8 cloves of garlic
• 3 Tbsp balsamic
• 3 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pepper
• 3 Tbsp olive oil

20. Coconut Oil Chicken Glaze

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 Tbsp raw honey
• 1 Tbsp minced onion
  • Whisk ingredients and pour over chicken then grill.

21. Dry Rub (London Broil)

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

I am enjoying working through the list. Hopefully, you do too. Let me know which marinades and rubs are your favorite!

Enjoy!

Bee