Get it Soakin'

Marinades are a great tool for giving meats flavor.  They will also make the meat more tender, thanks to the acidic component of the marinade (think wine, vinegar, or some sort of citrus juice).  That being said, you may be able to choose a leaner, less expensive cut of meat and turn it into a tasty meal for your family.  Making your own marinades instead of purchasing the pre-mixed envelopes at the grocery store has three main benefits: You will save money mixing it yourself; It also allows you to flavor your foods to your own personal tastes; You can eliminate unnecessary preservatives and chemicals from your diet. Pre-packaged marinade mixes can be a hidden source of salt, preservatives, and other chemicals that are used to prevent the mixes from clumping together while they sit on the store shelf.  Using fresh herbs and spices helps make your meals taste great.  I use the fajita marinade  for both chicken and beef.  It tastes much better than any of the mixes I have tried from the grocery store.  I also like to marinade my roasts for the slow cooker pot roast in red wine and a couple of cloves of fresh minced garlic.  Again, I purchase my roasts in bulk at the warehouse club.  I put each roast in its own reclosable bag with the marinade in the freezer. Fajita Marinade