Bring the bright and bold flavors of summer to your 4th of July party with our savory kefir marinades. With creamy plain kefir and an array of spices, each mix brings a personality to your veggie or protein of choice. Tenderize and bring juiciness your grilling ingredients by using these flavorful marinades.
Marinade Meat
Marinating your choice of protein in kefir is a great way to turn tough, bland cuts into tender, juicy masterpieces. This is thanks to two things: lactic acid and the live and live and active probiotic cultures found in kefir. Both work to break down the proteins in meat, making it softer and easier to digest. Because lactic acid is only mildly acidic, it works more slowly than other acidic marinades, meaning you’re generally ok letting the meat rest overnight or throughout the day.
Your Gut Matters
Eating habits also play a role in mental health. Research has shown that probiotic-rich foods decrease anxiety and boost the mood. That makes kefir a great wellbeing tool because it contains 12 live and probiotic cultures. Psychiatrist James Greenblatt explained that “‘the gut is really your second brain. There are more neurons in the GI tract than anywhere else except the brain.’” As research continues to develop, it’s becoming more and more apparent that there is a link between the gut and the brain. What was once suspected as one-way communication (brain to gut) is now understood to be more of a two-way system. Thus, the health of our gut may directly impact the health of our minds.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = a Healthy You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive system.
Ingredients
Curry Kefir Marinade
- 1/4 cup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- salt & pepper
Chipotle Kefir Marinade
- 1/4 cup Plain Whole Milk Kefir
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/8 tsp salt
Greek Kefir Marinade
- 1/4 cup Plain Whole Milk Kefir
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp thyme
- pinch of salt and pepper
Directions
- For each marinade mix in a bowl or large plastic bag and use it for any produce or protein you would like to marinade.