11 Simple Greek Yogurt Marinades: Perfect for Chicken, Fish, or Veggies

Greek yogurt marinades are an easy way to add flavor and moisture to chicken, fish, shrimp, or vegetables, without needing fancy ingredients or long prep time. These 11 marinade recipes cover a full range of flavors, from fresh lemon and garlic to smoky chipotle and creamy ranch. Each one starts with a simple Greek yogurt base and builds with herbs, citrus, and warm spices that pair well with chicken, seafood, or vegetables.

Use them to prep quick weeknight dinners, plan a weekend grilling session, or bring something new to your usual rotation. From creamy blends to smoky heat, these Greek yogurt marinades complement everything from easy dinner ideas to grilling recipes without requiring extra work.

How to Use These Greek Yogurt Marinades

Using these marinades is simple: just whisk, marinate, and cook using your preferred method.

• Marinate: Whisk together the marinade ingredients until smooth. Coat your protein or vegetables in the marinade and refrigerate in a bowl or zip-top bag.
  • For chicken: marinate for at least 1 hour (up to 8 hours for deeper flavor).
  • For seafood: marinate for 15–30 minutes max.
  • For vegetables: 30 minutes to 1 hour is ideal.
• Bring to Room Temp: Take the chicken out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking.
• Cook Your Way:
  • Grill: Cook chicken over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165℉. Fish or shrimp will need 2-3 minutes per side, until opaque and cooked through.
  • Bake: Chicken and vegetables cook best at 400℉ in a preheated oven. Seafood cooks best at 375℉ for 12-15 minutes.
  • Pan-Sear: Heat a bit of oil in a pan and cook over medium heat.
• Rest & Serve: Let the cooked protein rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Classic Greek Lemon and Herb Yogurt Marinade

This tangy, herb-packed marinade is a Greek classic that never gets old. The combination of lemon juice, garlic, and oregano gives it that signature Mediterranean flavor, while the Greek yogurt makes it extra smooth and ideal for marinating chicken. It’s a simple way to add brightness and depth without overpowering your protein.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Serve with lemon wedges or a Greek-style salad.

Creamy Tzatziki-Style Chicken Marinade

Inspired by classic tzatziki sauce, this Greek yogurt marinade delivers cool, herby flavor in every bite. It’s made with grated cucumber, dill, and lemon for a refreshing twist that’s perfect for chicken, shrimp, or even grilled vegetables. The yogurt base locks in moisture, making every bite juicy and flavorful without the need for extra sauces.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup grated cucumber (squeeze out water)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Especially great with grilled shrimp skewers or boneless chicken breasts.

Mediterranean Garlic and Rosemary Yogurt Marinade

This Mediterranean-style Greek yogurt marinade adds rich herbal depth to both seafood and chicken. Lemon zest and rosemary bring brightness and earthiness, while a hint of garlic ties it all together. It works especially well on cod or halibut and develops a golden finish when grilled or roasted.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Try it with cod, halibut, or chicken thighs.

Spicy Harissa Greek Yogurt Marinade

This spicy harissa Greek yogurt marinade packs heat, smoke, and creamy tang in every spoonful. Harissa paste brings bold North African flavor, while Greek yogurt balances it out, creating a marinade that clings beautifully to shrimp, chicken, or even grilled vegetables. It’s a fiery favorite that’s just as good for a backyard cookout as it is for weeknight meals.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon harissa paste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Especially great for shrimp skewers or grilled chicken thighs.

Tandoori-Style Greek Yogurt Marinade

This tandoori-style Greek yogurt marinade brings all the flavor of a classic Indian dish without needing a tandoor. Greek yogurt creates a creamy base that clings beautifully to the chicken, while spices like turmeric, paprika, and garam masala build layered flavor with a golden finish. It’s just as tasty roasted in the oven as it is grilled over a flame.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chickpea flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Ideal for boneless chicken thighs or drumsticks.

Buffalo Ranch Greek Yogurt Marinade

This buffalo ranch Greek yogurt marinade brings together heat, herbs, and creamy richness in a single step. It’s bold, tangy, and full of flavor from hot sauce and ranch seasoning, with Greek yogurt keeping everything smooth and spoonable. Perfect for game-day wings, grilled chicken, or oven-roasted drumsticks.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning mix
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon honey (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Best with chicken wings, thighs, or even air-fried tenders.

Honey Mustard Greek Yogurt Marinade

This honey mustard Greek yogurt marinade strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and peppery. Dijon mustard adds bite while honey smooths it out, and Greek yogurt pulls everything together into a thick, velvety blend. It’s easy to whip up and adds a golden, caramelized finish to whatever you’re cooking.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey (use hot honey for a spicy touch)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Also great brushed onto baby potatoes or tossed with carrots before roasting.

Orange and Ginger Greek Yogurt Marinade

This bright and punchy Greek yogurt marinade blends the sweetness of orange with the warmth of ginger. A little soy sauce adds umami while Greek yogurt keeps the texture creamy and clingy. It’s perfect for shrimp, chicken, or roasted vegetables, with a citrus-forward profile that caramelizes nicely on the grill or in the oven.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ¼ teaspoon salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Especially good on shrimp, salmon, or tossed with carrots and bell peppers for roasting.

Balsamic and Basil Greek Yogurt Marinade

This balsamic and basil Greek yogurt marinade adds a bold, herby punch to anything you toss it on. The yogurt base is blended with rich balsamic vinegar and plenty of fresh basil, making it a perfect fit for grilled vegetables, tofu, or even steak tips. It’s creamy, earthy, and just a little tangy with a peppery kick.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Try it with zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, or broccoli.

Smoky Chipotle Lime Greek Yogurt Marinade

This smoky chipotle lime Greek yogurt marinade brings bold flavor with just the right amount of heat. Chipotle peppers in adobo give it a deep, smoky richness, while lime juice brightens it up. The Greek yogurt base keeps it smooth and clingy, perfect for marinating fish or shrimp before grilling or roasting.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Pinch of smoked paprika (optional)

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Works especially well with cod, halibut, or shrimp skewers.

BBQ Ranch Greek Yogurt Marinade

This BBQ ranch Greek yogurt marinade brings smoky, tangy, and herby together in the best way. It’s made with BBQ sauce, ranch seasoning, and creamy Greek yogurt for a rich blend that clings to chicken and caramelizes beautifully on the grill or in the oven. It’s bold but balanced, and easy to throw together any night of the week.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
• 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning mix
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt

🧑‍🍳 Use it: Follow the marinating and cooking instructions above. Best for chicken thighs, drumsticks, or grilled skewers.