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Home » Recipes » Dish Type » Sauces, Spreads and Condiments

Soy Ginger and Lemon Marinade

Published: Jul 10, 2022 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Jul 11, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

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marinade in glass bowl with marinade ingredients behind it, on faux wooden surface

This Soy Ginger Lemon Marinade is one of my go-to marinades! It's easy to make with pantry staples and great for pork, beef, chicken, lamb or salmon! It's also oil-free so it's lighter and healthier than a typical soy ginger marinade.

soy ginger lemon marinade in a glass bowl with ingredients in background

I love easy recipes that are quick to throw together and so versatile. My maple lemon marinade is another easy meat marinade. You can use them anytime of the year, but they are ideal for gilling. However, they can also be used in the air fryer or on the stove top as well.

Jump to:
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 📖Variations & Substitutions
  • 🥗 Side Dishes
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • 🔢WW Points
  • 💭Top tip
  • 🦺Food safety
  • ❔ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Soy Ginger and Lemon Marinade Recipe
  • 📋More Grilling Recipes

🥘Ingredients

You only need 5 marinade ingredients for this oil-free soy ginger lemon marinade recipe and oil is not one of them!

ingredients in soy ginger marinade, in glass bowls and labelled
  • lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • soy sauce
  • fresh ginger
  • ketchup
  • fresh garlic

*See recipe card for quantities.

🔪Instructions

Because there is no oil in this recipe (and oil helps helps the marinade absorb into the meat), it's important that you marinate the meat for at least 8 hours or overnight to get the maximum depth of flavor from this marinade recipe. If you marinate it for less time, you won't get as much flavor.

ingredients for soy ginger lemon marinade whisked together in a bowl

Combine all ingredients and whisk together (or shake together in tightly sealed jar or Tupperware shaker - see equipment).

soy ginger lemon marinade poured over porik

When ready to use, place meat in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour about half the marinade over meat. Turn to coat, pour the remainder (setting aside about ¼ cup if you want baste the meat after it's cooked) and cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, to get full flavor. Turn meat over at least once during marinating process.

📖Variations & Substitutions

  • Raw Meats - you can use chicken breast, pork chops, boneless pork, beef, lamb, tuna steaks or salmon
  • Garlic - you can use minced garlic in a jar, if you don't have fresh
  • Spicy - add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or ½ teaspoon sriracha sauce, to the marinade
  • Lemon juice- if you don't have fresh lemon juice, use concentrated, but only use HALF the amount. If you don't have either, you can use another citrus juice, like fresh lime juice.
  • Soy sauce - Light soy sauce is best for marinades. It has a thinner body and golden brown color. Using natural fermentation methods, light soy sauce has strong aromatic umami and savory flavor. Don't use dark soy sauce, as it's overpowering. You can use a multi-purpose soy sauce if you don't have light.

🥗 Side Dishes

No matter what type of meat your marinating and grilling, these flavors pair perfectly with my Corn Stuffed Grilled Bell Peppers! (shown below). It also goes well with:

  • Onion Baked Potatoes in Foil (3 Ingredients)
  • Easy Bean Salad (Vegan and Gluten-free)
  • Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
  • Easy Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
  • Healthy Potato Salad
  • Healthy Artichoke and Red Pepper Coleslaw
  • Slow Cooker New England Baked Beans
2 stuffed grilled peppers on a black plate with a piece of grilled pork and lemon wedge


🍽Equipment

You'll need a whisk and a bowl or a salad dressing shaker , as well as a zester (affiliate links) to make this meat marinade.

🌡️Storage

Store this marinade in the fridge in a sealed jar or airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze in a Ziplock freezer bag for up to 3 months.

👪 Serving Size

This recipe makes enough marinade for 4 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. I multiplied the recipe by 1.5X for the 6 pieces of pork.

5 pieces of marinated pork on a black platter with lemon wedges and a dish of soy sauce in the middle

🔢WW Points

This recipe is Weight Watchers friendly @ 2 WW pts , but because not all of the marinade is absorbed, I only count it as 1 point. And this soy ginger marinade is less points than similar sauces with oil. If you added olive oil to this marinade, it would be 6 WW points instead of 2.

💭Top tip

Store your fresh ginger in a ziplock freezer bag in the freezer! It lasts so much longer and then when you need it, you simply take it out, peel the rough part (only what you need) with a vegetable peeler, then use a zester to finely grate what you need for the recipe. Then you simply put the remainder back in freezer, where it will last 3-6 months.

ginger on a white plate with small grater

🦺Food safety

  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

❔ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long can you marinate chicken in soy?

You can marinate chicken in a soy marinade for up to 2 days.

What does marinating in soy sauce do?

Marinating in soy sauce adds flavor and tenderizes the meat.

Can you marinate meat without oil?

You can marinate meat with oil if you use citrus juice (lemon, preferably) wine or vinegar. These ingredients help break it down and tenderize meats.

So, if you're looking for healthy recipes for marinade, you'll love this oil free version of soy ginger marinade!

⭐ Reviews

Did you LOVE this soy ginger sauce recipe? IF so, please leave a 5 star rating and comment below!

soy ginger lemon marinade in a glass bowl with ingredients in background
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Soy Ginger and Lemon Marinade Recipe

This Soy Ginger Lemon Marinade is oil-free marinade that's quick and easy to make with pantry staples and great for pork, beef, chicken, lamb or salmon!
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Keyword: ginger, lemon, marinade, soy
Special Diet: Dairy-free, Weight Watchers
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 39kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
marinating time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
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Ingredients

  • ½ cup lemon juice
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon gingerroot grated
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 4 cloves of garlic
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients and whisk together or shake together in tightly sealed jar.
    ingredients for soy ginger lemon marinade whisked together in a bowl
  • When ready to use, place meat in a shallow dish or plastic Ziplock bag. Pour about half marinade over meat. Turn to coat, and add remaining (but reserve about ¼ cup for basting on after cooking, if desired)
    soy ginger lemon marinade poured over porik
  • Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to get maximum flavor. Turn meat over at least once during process.
  • Cook meat as per directions in your recipe (it will depend on type of meat you are making and cooking process you are using) and brush on a little marinade if desired (you can quickly warm it on the stovetop over medium-high heat or in the microwave).

Garnish

  • Garnish with fresh chives, green onions or sesame seeds (optional)
    5 pieces of marinated pork on a black platter with lemon wedges and a dish of soy sauce in the middle

Notes

*Please see post contents for important recipe information and tips!
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Nutrition Facts
📋 Soy Ginger and Lemon Marinade Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 39 Calories from Fat 2
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.2g0%
Saturated Fat 0.02g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.04g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.01g
Sodium 1689mg73%
Potassium 141mg4%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 0.5g2%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 41IU1%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 15mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcal (2%) | Carbohydrates: 7g (2%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1689mg (73%) | Potassium: 141mg (4%) | Fiber: 0.5g (2%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 41IU (1%) | Vitamin C: 13mg (16%) | Calcium: 15mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Colleen

    July 20, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    This is such a simple but flavorful marinade. The lemon is a perfect touch. And thanks for the great tip about freezing ginger!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      July 21, 2022 at 10:40 am

      Glad you enjoyed it, Colleen!

      Reply
  2. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady

    July 20, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    This marinade is so simple, but it made out pork chops so tender and flavorful.

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      July 21, 2022 at 10:40 am

      Thanks, Cindy! Yes, it does really tenderize the meat!

      Reply
  3. Shelby

    July 20, 2022 at 12:38 pm

    Used this lemon marinade on kabobs the other night and it was amazing, so refreshing and light!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      July 21, 2022 at 10:40 am

      Great idea to use it on kabobs!

      Reply
  4. nancy

    July 20, 2022 at 2:40 pm

    adding lemon totally brightens the whole marinade profile. i love it!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      July 21, 2022 at 10:41 am

      I agree, Nancy! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Vanessa

    July 20, 2022 at 2:48 pm

    I love trying new marinades and this was fantastic. I used it to marinade pork tenderloin before grilling. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      July 21, 2022 at 10:41 am

      Hi Vanessa,
      So glad to hear you loved it!
      Terri

      Reply
  6. Bernice

    July 22, 2022 at 11:33 am

    I love marinating with soy sauce. I usually just use one acid but the ketchup really added extra umami. Can confirm...great on pork!

    Reply
  7. Asha

    July 26, 2022 at 7:40 pm

    I used this marinade on some salmon and it was simply delicious. Loved how easy it was to make as well since I already had all of the ingredients. Would make this again.

    Reply

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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