Marination isn’t just a flavour enhancer — it’s a science-backed technique that transforms both texture
and taste. Whether you are preparing juicy kebabs, or trying to make a roast, marinating your choice of protein is the first step when it comes to making sure it soaks in all the flavours and spices.
Why is marination an important step of cooking?
“While not strictly fundamental for every single dish wherein high-quality cuts rely on the meat’s natural flavor, marination is a highly beneficial technique used for several key reasons, such as flavor infusion, tenderization and moisture retention,” said executive chef Tamoghna Chakraborty, DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield, Bangalore.
How do acid and salt play a key role?
According to Chef Chakraborty, both acid and salt play significant roles, but in slightly different ways. “Salt is crucial for flavor absorption. Through a process related to osmosis and diffusion, salt helps to draw out moisture from the meat, and helps denature and loosen the protein structure within the muscle fibers. Acids like vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, wine, yogurt, buttermilk on the other hand primarily work by denaturing proteins on the surface of the meat,” he explained.
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Acids add their distinct tangy flavor to the marinade and the surface of the meat. Unlike salt, acids don’t penetrate very deeply into the meat. While they help tenderise the exterior, they don’t significantly drive other marinade flavors deep into the cut, he added.
Marinate chicken with these tips and tricks (Source: Freepik)
For example, Chef Vishesh Jawarani, founder of JSan, an Izakaya gastropub, Goa shared that they use a marinade of rice vinegar, sake, soy, mirin and seasonings to make Chicken Karaage. “We marinate the chicken for at least 24 hours and keep it in the refrigerator to ensure it is well-marinated and seasoned. Prior to frying we bring the chicken back to room temperature,” he added.
Additional tips to keep in mind:
Chef Ritesh Tulsian, NXT LVL, Mumbai shared some key pointers to ensure your marination game is on point:
Always start with fresh aromatics, there are no shortcuts.
Time doesn’t always mean depth, shorter marinades with precision ratios can work wonders.
Dry rubs and fat-based marinades (with oils or yogurt) offer just as much impact as acidic ones, depending on your end goal.
Let it rest after marination, don’t cook straight from the fridge. Flavours need time to settle.
“Don’t over-marinate—too much acid for too long can make meat mushy. And always marinate in the fridge, not at room temperature,” Chef Sanchit – head chef, Heritage Village Resorts and Spa, Goa, added.