How Do I Choose the Best Beef Brisket Marinade?

Choosing the most delectable beef brisket marinade involves research and experimentation, but if you know what flavors you like, it should not be hard to figure out which combination of seasonings and spices will work best to create a marinade you'll love. Researching a beef brisket marinade can be done online, or in a store; however, unless you have a store in your area that has a large selection of marinades, you'll find many more do-it-yourself options online.

When it comes to experimenting with a beef brisket marinade, it's pretty easy to follow a recipe or even combine several recipes to taste. Deciding to make a homemade marinade gives you the freedom to get the flavors just right. You can make small batches, adding things as you go and testing various mixtures by grilling or cooking small samples. A homemade marinade can also be more wholesome than something store bought because you know exactly what goes into it.

To find your ideal beef brisket marinade, begin by comparing base ingredients, which will control the overall taste. There are five basic categories of flavor: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and savory. If you know which category or combination of categories is in the base, you can begin to guess the overall flavor of a given marinade. For example, a base of soy sauce will be salty; a base with lots of honey will be sweet; a base containing citrus will be sour, or possibly bitter; and a base containing Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, or tomato sauce will be savory.

When it comes to savory flavors, it can be more difficult to define the ingredients. Keep in mind that the fat from the meat itself will be savory, as well as bases that contain fat like broth or bouillon. Additionally, many salty bases, such as soy sauce, contain natural glutamates, which determine savoriness. Beware of some savory marinades that contain the additive monosodium glutamate (MSG), which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Once you have chosen a good base or combination of bases to use in your beef brisket marinade, it's time to choose other ingredients, which include herbs, seasonings, and spices. Sometimes you can use salad dressings or powdered salad dressings to get a wide range of these ingredients, but popular items include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, oregano, thyme, paprika, chili powder, and any number of fresh ingredients like chopped herbs, onions or garlic. In the end, the best beef brisket marinade is entirely up to you, but a little research and experimentation can set you on the right flavor path.