Chiavetta's Marinade Recipe: the Ultimate BBQ Flavor Explosion

The perfect marinade recipe can be a real secret when it comes to turning the usually bland chicken into a culinary delight. Our copycat Chiavetta’s marinade recipe will make your meat tender and tasty, regardless of whether it is chicken, turkey, pork, or beef.

It is perfectly balanced in taste, having a bit of everything: acidity from apple cider vinegar, saltiness from the Worcestershire sauce, and sweetness from sugar.

Unsurprisingly, this marinade recipe has become so famous and is preferred by many people. This fact is mainly due to the simplicity and availability of the ingredients. Despite that, the copycat Chiavetta’s marinade recipe guarantees an excellent result!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Pro Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• Chiavetta's Marinade Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Apple cider vinegar — ½ cup.
• Extra-virgin olive oil — ¼ cup.
• Worcestershire sauce — 2 tbsp.
• Garlic powder — 2 tsp.
• Onion powder — 2 tsp.
• Sugar — 1 tbsp.
• Celery salt — ½ tbsp.
• Salt — 1 tbsp.
• Ground black pepper — ¼ tsp.

Instructions

1. Add the vinegar, oil, and Worcestershire sauce to a medium mixing bowl.

2. Add the remaining dry ingredients to the bowl with the liquid mixture.

3. Mix using a whisk until they are well combined.

Substitutions

• Apple cider vinegar — If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand or don’t like it, you can try several replacement options. Having the same acidity level, balsamic vinegar, white vinegar, and red wine vinegar are excellent alternatives. For a citrusy flavor, opt for fresh lemon juice.

• Worcestershire sauce — Adding Worcestershire sauce to our marinade brings a unique and complex flavor to the recipe. Its acidity will allow the meat to tenderize, improving its texture. Soy sauce is a good substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Another replacement option you can consider is miso paste, that will add umami flavor to the marinade.

• Sugar — Sugar is added to the marinade to balance the acidity and the saltiness. Use brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar for healthier alternatives.

• Celery salt — Celery salt adds an earthy taste and unique flavor to the marinade. If you don’t have celery salt in your pantry, combine ½ tbsp. of salt and ½ tbsp. of ground celery. 

Variations

• Add texture — Instead of using garlic powder, go for the fresh version and add 2 minced garlic cloves to the marinade. This will also enhance the flavor and aroma of the marinade.

• Add flavor — Use fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, or oregano for an extra touch of flavor. Their intense and vibrant flavor will make the marinade even more flavorful.

• Sugar-free — If you want to remove the sugar entirely from the recipe, use stevia instead of white sugar.

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons.

• Medium-sized mixing bowl.

• Whisk.

Storage

• Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

• If you have a leftover marinade that you won't use within 3-4 days, you can freeze it for more extended storage. Transfer the marinade to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw the marinade in the refrigerator before using it.

Pro Tips

• Avoid marinating the meat in metal containers because the marinade ingredients can interact with the metal and change its flavor. Plastic or glass containers are best.

• Cover the bowl with plastic foil when adding the meat to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. From time to time, mix the meat pieces.

Serving Suggestions

• Use Chiavetta’s marinade to marinate chicken or steak for at least 2 hours or, ideally, overnight. Then cook it on a grill and enjoy it with mixed salad greens on the side.

• Marinate a pork shoulder in the marinade overnight, then slow-cook it until tender.

• Thread your favorite veggies on skewers and brush them with the marinade before grilling.