Tuga Pops − Sunday, August 13, 2017, 9 Years ago in Beef Recipes
5 out of 5 with 177 ratings

Portuguese Vinha D'alhos Marinade for Meat Recipe

Give this delicious Portuguese vinha d'alhos marinade a try for pork, beef, or chicken. Feel free to customize the ingredients to fit your favorite type of meat!
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10 min 4 servings Very Easy Prep time 10 min Cooking Time n/a

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Looking for a tasty way to marinate meat? This traditional portuguese vinha d'alhos is just what you need! With a mix of red wine, flavorful garlic, and a kick of pimenta, this marinade seeps into any cut of meat, making it super tender and delicious. It’s perfect for classic dishes like carne de vinha d'alhos or roasted chicken. Get ready to impress your taste buds!

Tips for Success

Use a dry red wine for the marinade to enhance the flavor; avoid sweet wines as they can alter the taste profile of the dish.

For maximum flavor infusion, marinate the meat for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator, turning it occasionally. If you can, marinate for up to 48 hours.

Be cautious with the salt; it's best to start with a small amount, as the marinated meat may also release some saltiness during cooking, and you can always adjust seasoning later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use as a substitute for red wine in the marinade?

You can substitute red wine with grape juice mixed with a bit of vinegar for acidity, or use a non-alcoholic red wine or a combination of red grape juice and a splash of red wine vinegar for a similar flavor profile.

How long can I store the vinha d'alhos marinade in the refrigerator?

The marinade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have leftover marinade after marinating meat, it’s best to discard it to ensure food safety.

What should I do if my marinade seems too salty?

If your marinade is too salty, you can dilute it by adding a bit more red wine or an equivalent amount of water. This will help balance out the saltiness without compromising the overall flavor too much.

Recommended Drink Pairings

  • Vinho Verde: This light and crisp Portuguese wine complements the acidity of the marinade.
  • Alvarinho: A white wine with citrus notes that pairs well with the garlic and spices in the dish.
  • Chardonnay: A full-bodied white wine that balances the richness of the meat and the marinade's flavors.
  • Sparkling Water: The effervescence cleanses the palate, making it a refreshing choice alongside the meal.
  • Black Coffee: The bitterness of coffee contrasts nicely with the savory notes of the marinade.
  • Chai Tea: The spices in chai enhance the flavors of the marinade, providing a warm complement.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (355 ml) red wine (355g)2 teaspoons (10 ml) chopped garlic (6g)1 tablespoon (15 ml) dried red pepper flakes or Portuguese crushed red pepper sauce (8g)3 bay leaves (1g)Salt to taste

Equipment:

Deep dishGlass bowlWhiskPlastic filmRefrigerator

Directions

  1. Place the meat of choice in a deep dish or glass bowl.
  2. Whisk the red wine, garlic, pepper flakes, bay leaves, and salt until combined and pour directly over the meat.
  3. Tightly seal the bowl with plastic film and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to ensure the acid and aromatics fully tenderize the protein.

Adapted from a Recipe by: Gilbert, portuguese-recipes.com

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Calories
65 kcal
Fat
0.5 g
Carbs
4 g
Protein
1 g

You might also like these: Beef Recipes

Reviews (27)

Millie Silva deleonsrdis
Millie Silva deleonsrdis
I make this but my marinate is vinegar, garlic, bayleaves and touch of cinnamon. I use pork butt for the meat of choice
2 Years ago, Saturday, December 21, 2024

Rich Borges
Rich Borges
How long/how to cook the meat once the marinade is complete ?
2 Years ago, Saturday, December 21, 2024

Tuga Pops
Tuga Pops
It depends on the recipe you're making, this is just the marinade.
2 Years ago, Saturday, December 21, 2024

Frederick Souza
Frederick Souza
I am pretty sure every family has a variation of the above--paprika (no paprika), tons of pepper (not much pepper), some chopped onion (no onion), red wine (red wine vinegar). The whole point here is that this is a great jumping off point for you to make your own variation. I would like to know though if this is used to create those slightly sour reddish potatoes often roasted with beef for Holy Ghost celebrations?
2 Years ago, Saturday, July 13, 2024

Tuga Pops
Tuga Pops
This marinade is great for roasted potatoes as well yes, but like you said yourself, every family uses a variation of spices for the potatoes itself.
2 Years ago, Saturday, July 13, 2024

Barbara G
Barbara G
Always have used red wine vinegar. (or red wine and vinegar in equal parts.) Esp for torresmos.
3 Years ago, Thursday, November 2, 2023

Tuga Pops
Tuga Pops
There are different variations.
3 Years ago, Thursday, November 2, 2023

Nancy
Nancy
My family is from Sao Michael and we always used paperika and wine vinegar
4 Years ago, Thursday, January 5, 2023

Tuga Pops
Tuga Pops
Hi Nancy, my parents were from São Miguel as well but always did this with wine.
4 Years ago, Thursday, January 5, 2023

JLJ
JLJ
My Mother in law was born there used Vingegar, garlic, bay leaves and small red chilies. Marinated for thee days and then drain and fry.
4 Years ago, Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Lucilia
Lucilia
My mother (born 1931) and her mother, always used paprika (colorau), red wine, crushed pepper and lots of garlic when marinating pork steaks. The meat "bathed" in that sauce overnight. The smell was incredible, and the taste even more so! Next day, onto the barbecue. The best Bifanas you could sink your teeth into. My parents lived in a small town near Fatima. Perhaps the use of paprika is a regional thing?
4 Years ago, Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Lynette Nichols
Lynette Nichols
My mother used cumin seed with vinegar and garlic. It's it the same thing or is it called another name? She would marinate pork for a couple days, then cook.
4 Years ago, Monday, September 19, 2022

Tuga Pops

Joined 11 Years ago n/a