36 Easy Marinades to Transform Cheap Meat Cuts for Summer Grilling

Enjoy Summer With These Delicious, Easy Marinades.

Grilling season is here—but that doesn’t mean you need pricey steaks to impress. With the right marinade, even budget cuts can turn out juicy, tender, and full of flavor. These 36 Easy Marinades to Transform Cheap Meat Cuts for Summer Grilling are packed with bold ingredients and made with things you probably already have in your pantry. They’re quick to mix, easy to prep ahead, and perfect for any backyard cookout.

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Make cheap cuts taste amazing with easy summer marinades! These frugal, make-ahead marinades are perfect for grilling and full of big flavor on a small budget.

36 Easy Marinades to Transform Cheap Meat Cuts for Summer Grilling

Whether you’re working with chicken thighs, pork chops, or chuck steak, these marinades bring out the best in every bite. Citrus, vinegar, herbs, and spices help break down tough cuts and infuse them with flavor. Let your meat soak for a few hours—or overnight if you have the time—and your grill will do the rest. Simple, smart, and super tasty.

These recipes are made with frugal-friendly ingredients but deliver big, crowd-pleasing results. Perfect for weeknight dinners, weekend BBQs, or meal prep that doesn’t break the bank. Keep reading for easy marinade ideas that turn low-cost meat into a summer grilling win!

1. Easy Grilled Chicken Marinade by Simply Scratch Made
2. The Best Chicken Marinade by Modern Honey
3. Seared Flat Iron Steak with Red Wine Marinade by Austin Eats
4. Grilled Chicken Thighs with Greek Marinade by A Cedar Spoon

5. 6 Easy Grilled Steak Marinades by Haute & Healthy Living
6. Balsamic Chicken Marinade by Lauren Fit Foodie
7. Chili Garlic Lime Shrimp by Evolving Table
8. Marinated Venison Steak by Peak to Plate

9. The Best Mexican Chicken Marinade by Pure and Simple Nourishment
10. Indonesian Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce by Butter Joy Kitchen
11. Pickle Juice Marinade by Eating on a Dime
12. Buttermilk Chicken Marinade by Grill on a Dime

13. Grilled Chicken Thighs by Valerie’s Kitchen
14. Curried Coconut Grilled Chicken by Strength and Sunshine
15. Best Chicken Marinade by Small Town Woman
16. Tacos Al Pastor by Foodess

17. Easy Coca Cola Brine by That Guy Who Grills
18. 7 Chicken Marinades for Chicken Breast by Recipes From a Pantry
19. Lemon and Soy Ginger Marinade by Food Meanderings
20. The Best Honey Mustard Marinade by Little Sunny Kitchen

21. Easy Chicken Marinade with Triple Citrus by Boulder Locavore
22. Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade by My Rad Kitchen
23. Greek Chicken Marinade by GypsyPlate
24. Sweet Tea Grilled Chicken by Baking Beauty

25. Chicken Shawarma Marinade by Hungry Hobby
26. Easy Lamb Marinade by Where Is My Spoon
27. Carne Asada Marinade by I Heart Naptime
28. Easy Korean BBQ Sauce (Gochujang Barbecue Marinade) by Cinnamon Snail

29. Tamarind Date Chutney by Unique Cooks
30. Pork Chop Marinade by The Feathered Nester
31. Chimichurri Sauce by The Forked Spoon
32. Easy and Delicious Flank Steak Marinade by Stef’s Eats and Sweets

33. Easy Steak Marinade by Home at Cedar Springs Farm
34. Greek Chicken Marinade by I Heart Eating
35. Grilled Chicken Kebabs Marinated in Italian Dressing by Melanie Cooks
36. Marinade Recipe for Bison Ribeye Steak by Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat

Do you have a favorite marinade for summer grilling?

You might also be interested in: 20 Delicious Grilling Recipes