Spice Up Your Life: A Guide for using Dry Rubs

 

From Sweet and Smoky to Fiery and Bold, These Dry Rubs Will Make Your Taste Buds Sizzle

As the weather starts to warm up, many people are eager to dust off their grills and start cooking outside, I know we are! Grilling is a great way to enjoy delicious food and spend time with friends and family. However, the key to great grilled food is all in the flavor, and that's where dry rubs come in.

 

Dry rubs are simple but effective ways to infuse your grilled food with bold flavors, add texture, and create a delicious crust. Whether you prefer meats, veggies, or seafood, there's a dry rub that can take your dish to the next level - they're incredibly versatile. In this blog post, we'll explore dry rubs, and how to use them to enhance the flavor of your grilled foods.

What is a Dry Rub?

 

Dry rubs are spice blends that are rubbed onto the surface of food before grilling. The rubs can be simple or complex, depending on the flavors you want to achieve. Some common ingredients in dry rubs include salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder.

Creating Your Own Dry Rub

 

The beauty of dry rubs is that you can tailor them to your personal preferences. While there are countless pre-made rubs available in stores, creating your own can be a fun and rewarding experience.

 

 

Here are some tips for creating your own dry rub:

• Start with a base of salt and sugar. Salt helps to tenderize the meat while sugar adds sweetness and caramelization.

• Choose your spices wisely. You can go for a traditional BBQ flavor with paprika, cumin, and chili powder, or mix it up with some exotic spices like cinnamon, coriander, turmeric, and ginger.

• Add some heat. If you like it spicy, add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder.

• Experiment with different textures. Try adding some finely ground coffee for a smoky flavor, or crushed nuts for a crunchy texture.

How to Use Dry Rubs

 

When using a dry rub, it's important to ensure that the rub is evenly distributed on the food. This can be achieved by sprinkling the spice rub on your food with your fingers or using a shaker jar with the correct sized holes to evenly distribute your rub.

 

Once the rub is applied, gently rub the mixture into the surface and let the food sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the surface - a few hours is even better.

 

Here are some tips for using Dry Rubs to enhance the flavor of your grilled foods:

1. Don't be afraid to experiment with different spice combinations. Try out different flavors until you find your favorite blend.

2. Use fresh ground spices whenever possible, and gently toast the seeds in a dry pan before grinding.

3. Always season your food with salt and pepper before applying a dry rub (unless you include salt and pepper in the rub). This will help to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

4. Remember to always let your grilled food rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the food more tender and juicy.

Now that you know how to use a dry rub, it's time to start experimenting with different recipes. Here are some of my favorite dry rub recipes to get you started:

 

Pork Shoulder Dry Rub

Ingredients:

•  ½ cup brown sugar
•  ¼ cup white sugar
•  2 tablespoons sea salt (or kosher salt)
•  2 tablespoons garlic powder
•  2 tablespoons smoked paprika
•  1 tablespoon dry mustard
•  1 tablespoon ground cumin
•  1 tablespoon celery seed
•  1 tablespoon chili powder
•  1 tablespoon onion powder
•  1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
•  1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional - most don't find this rub to be spicy with the cayenne)


Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Rub the mixture generously over your meat.
3. Grill or roast as desired. Or use a slow-cooker.

Spicy Dry Rub

Ingredients:

•  2 tablespoons chili powder
•  1 tablespoon paprika
•  1 tablespoon brown sugar
•  1 tablespoon ground cumin
•  1 teaspoon garlic powder
•  1 teaspoon onion powder
•  1 teaspoon kosher salt
•  ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
•  ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional - use more for more heat)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Rub the mixture generously over your meat.
3. Grill as desired.

Coffee Steak Rub

Ingredients:

•  ¾ cup Ancho chili powder
•  ¼ cup ground coffee 
•  ¼ cup paprika
•  ¼ cup ground cumin
•  ¼ cup brown sugar
•  2 teaspoons kosher salt
•  2 teaspoons dry mustard
•  2 teaspoons ground coriander
•  2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
•  ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
 (use more for more heat)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Drizzle a little olive oil over each steak.
3. Rub the mixture generously over your meat.
4. Grill as desired.


Mediterranean Dry Rub

Ingredients:

•  1 tablespoon basil, dried
•  1 tablespoon garlic powder
•  1 tablespoon Greek oregano, dried
•  ½ teaspoon marjoram, dried
•  ½ tablespoon onion powder
•  1 teaspoon rosemary, dried
•  1 teaspoon thyme, dried
•  1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
•  ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ground
•  ½ tablespoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Rub the mixture generously over your meat.
3. Grill as desired.

Shawarma Dry Rub

Ingredients:

•  1 tablespoon ground cumin
•  1 tablespoon ground coriander
•  1 tablespoon garlic powder
•  1 tablespoon dried ground ginger
•  1 teaspoon paprika
•  1 teaspoon ground black pepper
•  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•  ½ teaspoon ground cloves
•  ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
•  1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Rub the mixture generously over your meat.
3. Grill as desired.

The recipes above have been tweaked over the years to our flavor preferences, feel free to reduce or omit any spices you don't like. Dry rubs are a simple but effective way to enhance the flavor of your grilled foods. Whether you're grilling meat, vegetables, or seafood, there's a rub that can take your dish to the next level. Experiment with your favorite flavors and have some fun. Happy Grilling!

 

As always, reach out to The Small Town Chef with any questions or comments. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Copyright © 2023 The Small Town Chef - All Rights Reserved.