Homemade & Yummy
menu icon
subscribe
search icon
×

Will’s Extra Special Marinade

*Updated* / By: 56 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure Policy.
Jump To Recipe

Will’s Special Marinade is infused with bold flavours of cocoa and espresso. It adds a rich, smokey flavour to beef, bison, ribs and lamb.

This wine-based meat marinade is key to juicy steaks all summer long.

No need for store-bought marinades. They are really simple to make and great for those long overnight soaks like for roasts. The results are amazing.

We love to bbq, or I should say my hubby loves to bbq. I am more than happy to let him work his magic whether he is using the gas grill or the charcoal Keg. We are always trying new rubs and marinade recipes during grilling season.

Join Our Mailing List

You will receive a FREE PANTRY STAPLES PRINTABLE and easy recipes to make with them.

RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this bbq marinade can be found at the bottom of this post.

Experiment with different spices, wines, and flavours of kinds of vinegar to create flavour combinations that will win your guests over every time.  

We have a cocoa dry rub that we really enjoy using, so that is where the idea for this chocolate coffee marinade came from.

Ingredients For This Easy Marinade Recipe

Easy-to-find ingredients include:

  • olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • port
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • dry mustard
  • espresso powder
  • paprika
  • cocoa powder
  • soy sauce
  • garlic 
  • black pepper

Making This Special Marinade From Scratch

This really is super easy. The hardest part is choosing which cut of meat you want to cook.

All the marinade ingredients in a measuring cup.

Combine all the marinade ingredients in a measuring cup, or bottle.

Today we are going to grill some steaks. Place the meat in a freezer bag, and pour in the marinade. Allow to marinate in the fridge for several hours. Turn the bag over a few times to enable the marinade to get all sides of the meat.

Steaks marinating in bag with Will's Special Marinade.

This special marinade is sure to elevate your grilling skills and take your dishes to a new level of perfection.

Suggestions/Recipe Tips

When using alcohol in recipes, be sure it is good quality. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive bottle, but not the cheapest either.

Never reuse the marinade that meat has been soaking in.

Always keep leftover marinade in the fridge.

Juicy marinated steak right off the grill.

FAQ’s

Why add alcohol to homemade marinades?

It will help soften the meat and adds aroma during grilling.

Do you need to pat dry meat before grilling?

Taking off the excess moisture before placing the meat on the grill helps to create a crispy texture during cooking. The excess marinade also causes flare-ups on the grill.

How long do you marinate meat before cooking?

Anywhere from 4 to 24 hours, depending on the cut of meat. Steaks and chicken do not take as long as a roast. Fish is usually only about 30-60 minutes.

Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU. You will get a FREE PRINTABLE and recipes! FOLLOW ME on social media too.

    You may also enjoy these grilling recipes:

    Marinade pin image.

    Will’s Special Marinade

    Will’s Special Marinade is a bold cocoa and espresso-infused marinade that is sure to add rich smoky flavour to any cut of meat.
    5 from 53 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Rate
    Course: Marinade
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Keyword: grilling, marinade
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Author: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • Juice of ½ lemon
    • ¼ cup port use a good quality
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoons dry mustard
    • 1 teaspoon espresso powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 2 cloves fresh minced garlic
    • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients in a measuring cup. Pour over meat.
    • Let meat marinate for at least 4 hours to overnight in the fridge.
    • To not reuse marinade.

    Notes

    Increase the amount of marinade according to the amount of meat you will be using. Always remember to use a GOOD quality port…it will make a huge difference in taste. 
    Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy
    Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.

    More Sauces, Marinades, Condiments and More

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alison Saalbach Corey

      I’m constantly amazed by your ability to transform simple ingredients into extraordinary meals!! Your creativity and skills are truly impressive!!

      Reply

      • Dee

        This marinade was amazing. So simple yet so much flavor.

    2. Jen Vinuya

      This is really an amazing marinade! A new staple at my house!

      Reply

    3. Toni

      Such an amazing marinade! Everyone at my house loved it!

      Reply

    4. Elizabeth

      Delicious and so much healthier than buying store-bought marinades! Would love to try this on chicken when we start grilling this summer.

      Reply

    5. Andrea

      I am so intrigued by the addition of cocoa and coffee in this fabulous marinade. I can’t wait to try it.

      Reply

    6. Katie

      This is so delicious, I can’t wait to get the BBQ out again so I can have some more steaks marinaded in this nectar!

      Katie xoxo

      Reply

    7. Giangi Townsend

      I am not a marinade person, but your recipe called to me and I am so happy i did.
      Tender meat, and so rich in flavor.
      I am so happy I made it and will make it again this coming weekend for my friends.
      Thank you.

      Reply

    8. Mary

      I agree with the readers who loved the espresso in this marinade. It was delicious on small filet Mignon. I only had a couple of hours to marinated the steaks but they came out great. Maybe because they were small and tender already. Adding this recipe to my grilling marinade rotation!

      Reply

    9. Helen

      I used this on ribs and it was amazing. I like that it is basic with other flavor options. A perfect recipe to use all year!

      Reply

    10. Megane

      My favorite marinade. The coffee and chocolate together is a perfect flavour combo for any meat.

      Reply

    11. Elizabeth

      Love the added espresso! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply

    12. Marisa Franca

      I believe marinades make a meat from Ho-Hum to Wowza! Love that combination of cocoa powder and espresso. See there is where the wowza is coming in. His spices are right on and I bet that meat tastes so good you don’t want to eat anything else. I’m saving the recipe for Hubby to try when next we grill.

      Reply

      • Homemade & Yummy

        Oh yes…this is hands down our favourite marinade for red meat!

      • Chef G

        HAHA….yes there are many options to use that is for sure!!

    14. Debbie S.

      Sounds delicious, I think my family will love this! Thanks!

      Reply

      • Chef G

        I know we really like it…hope it works well for you.

    15. Old Fat Guy

      I h ave saved this to give it a try! I love a good marinated steak.

      Reply

      • Chef G

        Well I think you will like it….let me know!!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.