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brown sugar bourbon marinade

Brown Sugar Bourbon Marinade

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A versatile marinade that combines sweet brown sugar, smoky bourbon, and savory Worcestershire sauce to transform ordinary cuts of meat into flavorful masterpieces. Perfect for steaks, pork chops, or even mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Marinade
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 small garlic clove finely grated
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Additions
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce for extra savoriness
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes for heat

Equipment

  • Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Zip-top bag
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, grated garlic, and black pepper until sugar completely dissolves.
  2. Add your protein of choice (1-2 pounds of meat or mushrooms) and coat thoroughly.
  3. Transfer to a zip-top bag, pressing out excess air.
  4. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 12 hours for best results.
  5. Before cooking, pat the meat dry with paper towels to achieve better caramelization.
  6. After cooking, let the meat rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This marinade works great with steak, pork chops, pork tenderloin, or portobello mushrooms. Any standard bourbon works well - no need for expensive varieties. For variations, you can substitute bourbon with whiskey, rum, or apple juice with a splash of vinegar. The marinade can be customized with additional soy sauce for umami or chili flakes for heat.

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