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10+ Epic Meat Rubs Recipes

Writer's picture: Rock RousseauRock Rousseau

Updated: Jul 27, 2019


A rub is made of a blend of herbs and seasonings. Applying a rub to meats or veggies is a wonderful way to boost flavor – especially on the grill. Rubs can be completely dry, or made into a wet rub or paste by adding water, olive oil, mustard, or sauce.

Dry rubs require a little moisture from the surface of the meat to stay on, but as the meat cooks and releases juices a dry rub will create an epically flavored crust. If you're cooking a meat that is somewhat dry, such as ribs or chicken, a wet rub may work better.

A good rub includes an infusion of sweet, savory, and spice. Using sugar or artificial sweetener is a common addition because it is a flavor enhancer, it helps browning, and with crust formation. Savory flavors come from amino acids called glutamates, which can be found in herbs and seasonings like oregano, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, and rosemary.

Spicy seasonings are often used in rubs because they add excitement, but go easy, not everyone likes it as hot as you do. Black pepper is common, as well as ground hot peppers such as cayenne or chipotle. Ginger, chili powder, and mustard powder also fit in this category.


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Medium mixing bowl, mixing spoon, measuring spoons, Mason jars Prep: 5 minutes prep Ready: 5 minutes Serves: 1 cup


1. Combine all of the listed herb and seasoning ingredients in a medium bowl. (See lists of epic rub recipes below).


To make any dry rub recipe a wet rub paste, add the suggested juice or liquid and stir thoroughly to make a thick paste; add more liquid if necessary.

2. Apply a liberal amount of the rub mixture into the skin of the preferred meat or vegetables.

TIP: To prevent contaminating your rub with uncooked meat juices, spoon out the proper amount before you start and seal the bottle for future use. Keep your stored rubs dry.

3. Store any remaining mixture in small Mason jars in a dry, cool area.

 


Caribbean Jerk Dry Rub

2 TBSN ground coriander

2 TBSN ground ginger

2 TBSN brown sugar

1 TBSN onion powder

1 TBSN garlic powder

1 TBSN salt

1 TBSN cayenne powder

1 TBSN ground black pepper

1 TBSN thyme

1 TBSN ground cinnamon

1 TBSN cloves

1 TBSN ground marjoram

1 TBSN ground nutmeg

To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of pineapple juice.

 

Spicy Cajun Dry Rub 2 TBSN cayenne pepper 2 TBSN thyme 2 TBSN oregano 2 TBSN smoked paprika 2 TBSN garlic powder 2 TBSN onion powder 1 TBSN chili powder 1 TBSN salt 1 TBSN garlic salt 1 TBSN ground black pepper


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of chicken broth and 2 TBSN of preferred hot sauce.

 

Italian Garlic & Parmesan Dry Rub 2 TBSN salt 2 TBSN oregano 2 TBSN basil 2 TBSN rosemary 2 TBSN thyme 2 TBSN parsley 2 TBSN garlic powder 2 TBSN grated parmesan cheese


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 1/4 cup preferred tomato sauce.

 

Savory Seafood Dry Rub:

2 TBSN tarragon

2 TBSN onion powder

2 TBSN garlic powder

2 TBSN coriander

1 TBSN dried parsley

1 TBSN salt

1 TBSN Old Bay seasoning

1 TBSN celery salt

1 TBSN sweet paprika


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/4 cup of Key Lime juice and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.

 

Espresso Dark Roast Dry Rub 1/4 cup dark roast coffee grinds 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 2 TBSN paprika 2 TBSN salt 2 TBSN chili powder 1 TBSN onion powder 1 TBSN cinnamon


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of strong dark roast coffee

 

Mojito Lime Dry Rub 1/4 cup grated lime zest 2 TBSN tarragon 2 TBSN onion powder 2 TBSN garlic powder 2 TBSN coriander 1 TBSN dried parsley 1 TBSN salt 1 TBSN black pepper 1 TBSN sweet paprika


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of Key Lime juice.

 

Memphis BBQ Dry Rub 3 TBSN smoked paprika 4 TBSN brown sugar 2 TBSN salt 2 TBSN cumin 2 TBSN ginger 2 TBSN ground black pepper 1 TBSN onion powder


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and 2 TBSN of Worcestershire sauce.

 

Sweet Heat Dry Rub 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 2 TBSN paprika 2 TBSN cayenne pepper 1 TBSN chili powder 1 TBSN salt 1 TBSN onion powder 1 TBSN garlic powder


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of honey or molasses and 2 TBSN of preferred hot sauce.

 

Brown Sugar BBQ Dry Rub 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 2 TBSN salt 2 TBSN smoked paprika 2 TBSN chili powder 2 TBSN black pepper 2 TBSN ground mustard 1 TBSN thyme 1 TBSN rosemary


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of maple syrup or molasses.

 


Mexican Chipotle Dry Rub 2 TBSN salt 3 TBSN oregano 2 TBSN chipotle chili pepper 2 TBSN garlic powder 2 TBSN chili powder 2 TBSN dried cilantro 2 TBSN cumin 1 TBSN onion powder


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of chicken broth.

 

Texas Smoked BBQ Dry Rub 2 TBSN brown sugar 2 TBSN smoked paprika 2 TBSN chili powder 2 TBSN garlic powder 2 TBSN onion powder 1 TBSN tumeric 1 TBSN chipotle powder 1 TBSN cumin 1 TBSN coriander 1 TBSN coarse salt 1 TBSN black pepper


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of strong dark roast coffee.

 



Voodoo Dust

2 TBSN Smoked Paprika

2 TBSN Dark Brown Sugar, or brown sugar substitute

1 TBSN Salt

1 TBSN fresh ground Black Pepper

1 TBSN dried Basil

1 TBSN Chili Powder

1 TBSN Garlic Powder

1 TBSN Onion Powder

1 TBSN dried Oregano

1 TBSN Cayenne Pepper (add an extra TBSN if you like them extra hot)

1 TBSN dried Thyme


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/2 cup of molasses.

 



Cowboy Dry Rub

1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoon dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon fine ground coffee

1 teaspoon dried ground thyme

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin


To make this a wet rub, mix with 1/4 cup of beef broth and 1/4 cup A1 Steak Sauce.


 


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