Rubs are blends of herbs, spices, salt, sugar, and other ingredients that are worked into meats before grilling to add additional flavor, color, and texture. They're classified as either dry or wet. Dry rubs are combinations of herbs and spices that are either sprinkled on or rubbed into the meat. Wet rubs (or pastes) feature the addition of oil, molasses or another liquid ingredient to the herbs and spices; they're rubbed into the meat and also used to coat the surface. Wet rubs generally adhere to the meat better than dry rubs and also help seal in juices to keep meats moist. No matter which type of rub you use, the most important thing to remember is that rubs are intended to enhance the flavor of the meat, not overpower it. Read our tips for using rubs in your barbeques.
Rub it In!
Try this rub for meats and poultry or robust vegetables.
More Great Rubs
Add a little pizazz to your grilled fare with this snappy homemade Lemon-Rosemary Rub. Looking for a simpler route? Simply Organic Grilling Seasonings can be used either as dry rubs or mixed with liquids for wet rubs.
Marinades
When it comes to marinading, the only limit is your imagination. But before you start concocting your own recipes, read our marinading tips to learn how they impact meat texture.
Lemon Marinade
This citrusy mix is great for getting vegetables, tofu, chicken or fish ready for the grill.
Too busy to make your own marinades? Simply Organic Marinade Mixes turn ordingary grill fare into a sizzling taste explosion
Wood Smoke
Part of what makes grilling so appealing is the delicious, sultry, smoky flavor it imparts in the food. Many enthusiasts use wood chips to enhance and control this flavor.
Wood chips must be pre-soaked in water for about an hour before being added to the grill. They can then either be placed in a smoker box inside your grill, or tossed directly onto hot coals. (Wood chips can also be used in gas grills, but you should refer to your user's manual for instructions.) Start with about 1/4 cup of wood chips, and work up from there to achieve results that match your personal tastes and preferences. Here are some suggestions to get you started -- but be adventurous and experiment with other woods as well:
• Alder: light flavored smoke that complements salmon, fish, and poultry
• Almond: nutty, sweet flavor that goes well with all meats
• Hickory: strong flavor, good with beef and lamb
• Maple: sweet flavor, a great choice for poultry and ham
• Mesquite: strong smoky flavor, good with most meats
• Oak: especially good with beef or lamb
Any of your favorite sauces or glazes can be applied to foods on the grill. Be sure to apply these only during the last 10 minutes of grill time, as the sugar and fat in sauces and glazes can cause flare-ups and burned food. Try this spiced-up version of traditional barbecue sauce for meat, poultry, tofu or tempeh:
Sassy Sauce
» Firing Up for Summer - Intro to Grilling
» Grilling Beef & Pork
» Grilling Poultry, Lamb & Fish
» Grilling Vegetables & Fruit
» Grilling Spices & Seasonings
» Rubs, Marinades & Sauces
» Sizzling Grilling Recipes
