Make good BBQ food taste even better by using
barbecue rubs
The
barbecue rub is the second most important part of the barbecue process,
the
smoking technique being the first. There are two main concepts to bear
in mind when making your own barbecue rub.
The amount of salt should be
enough
to start pulling the moisture out of the meat. Also, we feel that the
proportion of sugar should not be too great because it will caremelise
and burn during the cooking process and leave a bitter taste which is
best avoided.
Barbecue
rubs are only limited by your imagination. The other ingredients to
consider can include paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black
pepper, cayenne pepper, chile powder, oregano, sage, or anything that
you enjoy or indeed have to hand!
For
good results, keep your rub in a shaker and this will make it easier to
apply. Your barbecue rub should be applied at least 24 hours before
cooking on your barbecue grill, this will ensure that the best part of
the rub has been absorbed and your meat is permeated with flavour.
For
the best results, and assuming you have the time in advance to prepare,
let the meat absorb rub for up to three days.
Shake
the rub over the whole surface of the meat to be smoked. Use a generous
amount of your barbecue rub at first and then, as it starts to get
moist and adhere, add more. I don't think it's necessary to "rub" it
in.
I find that it only results in uneven distribution, and it stains
your hands. Cover the meat loosely in grease-proof paper and leave in
your fridge until a couple of hours before cooking on your grill.
Rubs
are better than marinades for large pieces of meat such as beef
briskets and pork joints. For cuts such as these, the internal and
external fat melts through the meat during cooking keeping it moist.
The dry surface of the meat and the BBQ rub itself combine to produce a
mouth-watering and appealing crust on the finished product!
Recommended BBQ
Seasonings
Storage
containers for your barbecue rubs
Old
time barbecuers have known this for a long time. When using spices,
rubs and other ingredients they have a tendency to interact with
various types of metal bowls and containers.
During this process, the
BBQ rubs and marinades will pick up a metallic taste if used with
reactive
materials like copper or other common type of mixing bowl such as those
made in aluminum.
You should aim to use glass or plastic to both mix and store your rubs
so that they will not pick up any extra (and unwanted) flavours. If you
look on the seasonings situated on the grocery store shelves they're
all packaged in either glass or plastic.
Likewise when you store your
seasonings for re-use on another day always use non-reactive glass or
plastic storage containers and clean them thoroughly before use to
ensure best results.
Can
I buy pre-made barbecue rubs ?
Just
like barbecue sauces, there are many companies
that produce high quality barbecue rubs for you to use
on your favourite meats.
In Europe, barbecue rubs are generally not so
widely available as though in the United States or Australia, but
despite this getting hold of a decent rub should be fairly
straightforward. One such company that produces excellent barbecue rubs
is Traeger.
Many people choose to make their own barbecue rubs, so why not take a
look at our barbecue
rub recipes and give them a try.
Homemade
barbecue rubs
If
buying a commercially produced barbecue rub is not for you, why not
make your own? Using simple store cupboard ingredients, you can easily
prepare your own rubs by reading our handy guide to making homemade barbecue rubs.
