If you’re looking to take your BBQ game up a notch, you’ll need to start using a dry rub. A waterless rub is a blend of spices that is rubbed into meat before cooking. Not only does it add flavor, but it also helps to seal in the juices, resulting in moist and tender meat.
In this post, I’ll share some favorite recipes for a BBQ dry rub. Keep reading to know how to make your own!
What Is A Dry Rub And What Are Its Benefits For BBQing Meat?
A waterless rub is a blend of spices that is rubbed into meat before cooking. This helps to seal in the juices and adds flavor to the meat.
Some of the most familiar spices used in a dry rub include paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Using A Dry Rub For BBQ Has Several Benefits. Let’s Take A Look At Some Of The Most Notable Ones:
1. It Keeps Meat Moist:
The spices in a dry rub help to seal in the juices, preventing the meat from drying out during cooking. For this reason, dry-rubbed meat is often more moist and tender than meat that hasn’t been rubbed.
2. It Adds Flavor:
Dry rubs add a depth of flavor to meat that cannot be achieved with BBQ sauce alone. In fact, many BBQ enthusiasts believe that the sauce should be used sparingly, so as not to hide the taste of the meat.
3. It Tenderizes Meat:
The spices in a dry rub can help to tenderize tougher cuts of meat. You’ll find that dry-rubbed meat is more tender and delicious than meat that hasn’t been rubbed.
Also, because the spices help to keep the meat moist, you won’t have to worry about it drying out during cooking.
4. It Makes Meat Easier To Handle:
When meat is rubbed with a dry rub, it forms a crust that helps to hold it together and makes it easier to handle on the grill. On the flip side, meat that hasn’t been rubbed is more likely to fall apart when you’re trying to flip it or move it around on the grill.
5. It Gives Meat A Nice Color:
The spices in a dry rub will also give the meat a beautiful color when cooked. When meat is properly rubbed, it will have a deep, rich color that is appetizing to look at.
Some of the most familiar spices used in a dry rub, such as paprika and chili powder, are known for their ability to give meat a nice color.
6. It Helps Prevent Sticking:
The crust that forms on the meat when it is rubbed with a dry rub will allow preventing it from sticking to the grill. For this reason, dry-rubbed meat is often much easier to grill than meat that hasn’t been rubbed.
7. It Helps To Evenly Cook Meat:
A dry rub will help to evenly distribute the heat, resulting in more evenly cooked meat. While this is not necessarily a benefit if you like your meat rare or medium rare, it can be helpful if you prefer your meat to be more well done.
8. It Keeps The Grill Clean:
When meat is rubbed with a dry rub, it forms a barrier between the meat and the grill, helping to keep the grill clean. It also helps to prevent the meat from sticking to the grill, which makes cleanup much easier.
9. It’s Easy To Make:
Dry rubs are very easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. All you need is a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and a few common pantry staples.
Now that you have run over some of the benefits of using a dry rub for BBQ, let’s take a look at how to make your own.
The Ingredients You’ll Need to Make a Dry Rub!
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Salt
- Pepper
There are many other recipes for dry rubs, but they typically contain some combination of the following spices: paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. You can adjust the balances of these spices to suit your own taste.
How To Mix The Ingredients Together To Create The Perfect Dry Rub?
To create a dry rub, simply mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl or jar and then rub it onto the meat. It’s that easy!
Apart from the spices mentioned above, you can also add other herbs and spices to create a unique flavor. Some popular options include oregano, thyme, and mustard powder.
So, You can follow a recipe or make up your own. Just be sure to grind the spices together well so that they’re evenly mixed.
Tips On Using A Dry Rub For Different Types Of Meat!
It’s necessary to note that the amount of dry rub you’ll need will vary depending on the type and size of the meat you are using. I have some tips to help you out:
1. If you’re using a dry rub on chicken, you’ll need about 1 teaspoon per pound of chicken.
2. For pork, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of dry rub per pound of pork.
3. If you’re using a dry rub on beef, you’ll need about 3 tablespoons per pound of beef.
4. For fish, you’ll only need 1 tablespoon of dry rub per pound of fish.
5. If you’re using a dry rub on lamb, you’ll need about 1½ tablespoons per pound of lamb.
6. For veal, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of dry rub per pound of veal.
7. If you’re using a dry rub on tofu, you’ll only need 1 teaspoon per pound of tofu.
8. And finally, if you’re using a dry rub on tempeh, you’ll only need 1 tablespoon per pound of tempeh.
Keep these tips in mind, you should be capable to estimate the amount of dry rub you’ll need for any given recipe. Just be confirming to start with a small amount and add more as needed. It’s always better to have too little than too much! Remember, understanding size does matter.
Recipes For Some Delicious BBQ Dishes That Use A Dry Rub!
As I mentioned before, a dry rub can be used on any type of meat. However, it’s especially well-suited for BBQ dishes. Here’re five recipes that are sure to please any crowd:
1. Dry-Rubbed BBQ Chicken: This recipe is perfect for a summer cookout. The chickens rubbed with a mixture of paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, and then grilled to perfection.
2. Dry-Rubbed BBQ Pork: This recipe features pork that’s been rubbed with a blend of garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. It’s then grilled until it’s nice and juicy.
3. Dry-Rubbed BBQ Beef: This recipe uses beef that’s been rubbed with a mix of onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. The beef is then grilled until it’s perfectly cooked to your liking.
4. Dry-Rubbed BBQ Salmon: This recipe features salmon that’s been rubbed with a blend of garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. It’s then grilled until it’s nice and flaky.
5. Dry-Rubbed BBQ Tofu: This recipe is perfect for vegetarians or anyone looking for a healthy option. The tofu is rubbed with a mixture of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. It’s then grilled until it’s nice and crispy.
These’re just a few of the many recipes you can make using a dry rub. Get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations. I’m sure you’ll come up with some delicious dishes that everyone will love!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading this superb guide on how to make a dry rub for BBQ. I hope you have found it helpful. If you’re looking for the perfect seasoning for your grilled meats, be sure to check out superb blogs at GrillCharms. From sweet and smoky to spicy and savory, I have something to fit everyone’s taste.
In fact, my grilling experience stems from even before that, when I used to watch my father grill outdoors. Some of my favorite memories growing up were surrounding the grill in the backyard, or a portable grill on the beach or in the park.
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