You already know that meat needs to be juicy, tender, and flavorful to please patrons. But did you know marinades and rubs have multiple benefits besides locking in moisture during the cooking process? See more reasons why they’re a must-have in your back of house:

Cooking Magic

Few things are more disappointing than a dry cut of meat. In addition to preserving moisture, marinades and rubs offer even more benefits during cooking.

• Quality Marinating meat acts as a buffer against heat and longer cook times.
• May Extend Shelf Life. Marinades that use natural ingredients can extend the shelf life of the meat.
• Balance Flavor, Boost The fat content in marinades helps distribute the flavors throughout the cut. Meanwhile, acids break down the proteins in meat to tenderize it.
• Kickstart Browning. Salt and other seasonings work to form that appealing brown crust on the outside.

Cost Benefits

Marinades also have advantages for your inventory and bottom line.

• Increase Water-Holding. Marinades lock in the moisture during cooking.
• More Moisture, Better Yield. When your meat retains moisture, you lose less weight during That means more sellable food per purchased pound.

Creative Potential

The sky’s the limit for flavor experiments! It’s fun for you and exciting for diners.

• Menu - Create more dishes using a variety of bold marinades for one protein.
• Global Flavor - Diners of all ages are interested in trying foods from global cuisines, and marinades and rubs are an easy way to offer a variety.

Recipes to Try Out

Kickstart your inspiration with these bold seasoning combinations:

• Spiced Harissa & Citrus Oven-Roasted Turkey: Featuring a hot harissa-citrus rub with garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, olive oil, salt and
• Korean BBQ Turkey Steak Sandwich: Turkey glazed with gochujang, soy sauce, honey or maple, rice vinegar, garlic and
• Korean BBQ Turkey Wonton Tacos: Turkey thigh roast marinated with sesame oil, sake, and soy sauce, plus green onions, fresh ginger, garlic, toasted sesame seeds and Korean red pepper powder.

The power of marinades and rubs is impossible to underestimate on your menu. Besides giving meat the amazing flavor and appealing look diners want, they’re also a cost-saving measure for the back-of-house.

Content courtesy of Butterball Foodservice

Sources:

“Marinades Based on Natural Ingredients as a Way to Improve the Quality and Shelf Life of Meat: A Review" – 2023 – National Library of Medicine

“Rethinking Clean-Label Marinades” – Meat + Poultry

“Serving Up Satisfaction With Innovation in Food Services” – 2025 – Provider

“The Chemistry of Marinades: How They Impact Flavor and Tenderness” – 2023 – Casa Bella