Let’s break it down like a cheat code. Citrus-heavy (lemon, lime, orange): 15–20 minutes max. That’s it. No negotiations.
Soy-based (soy sauce, ginger, garlic): 30 minutes is perfect. The salt is balanced, and the flavors pop without taking over.
Oil-based (olive oil, herbs, garlic): You can go up to 1 hour because oil doesn’t cook the fish. It just coats it like a cozy blanket. But why wait? Thirty minutes is still the sweet spot.
Yogurt or buttermilk? This is a creamy acid. It’s gentler, so 30–45 minutes works. But again, don’t push it to hours. The enzymes in dairy can also break down protein over time.
