Written by adam on Apr 11, 2005

Now, Here's the Rub ...

Filed Under: Grilling & Smoking
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I really wish there were a little bit more control over what ads appear in the google adsense bar over there on the right. There really is no control over it other than controlling what you write on the site. For instance, if I write a whole entry about how I hate Kentucy Fried Chicken (I LOVE KFC!), an ad would appear over there about the site called Kentucky Fried Cruelty, the PETA based "save the chickens" site.

So I looked at the page for this entry about white trash gourmet and one of the ads came up for a Barbeque rub. A few years ago, I might not have blinked twice at this, but now ... NOW ... I take great offense. I hadn't really wanted to bring up the grilling and smoking until May, but this warranted my attention.

Folks, if you are buying packaged rubs ... store-bought sodium laden concoctions, then you are truly wasting your money. Most likely, you already have the ingredients to make a world-class rub right in your pantry. By making your own rub, you'll save money and you can personalize it more to your taste.

One problem with store-bought rubs is that they contain way too much salt for a good rub. With BBQ rubs, a little salt goes a long way. Besides, you'll probably have BBQ sauce on the meat you'll cook, so don't overdo the salt.

Here's a basic rub recipe.

Ingredient:

• 8 TBSP Brown Sugar
  
• 2 Tsp. salt.
  
• 1 Tsp. Chili Powder
  
• 1 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper

Mix all the ingredients in bowl. Mix well until all the spices are equally distributed among the sugar crystals. And that's it. One basic rub recipe. You can keep this stored in ziploc bags, tupperware container, or other jar device. It should keep for a long time. From this basic recipe, try out your own spice additions in 1-teaspon increments. Onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, old bay seasoning, cayenne pepper ... can all make perfect rub compliments.

It should be noted that this rub is mainly used for pork barbeque. Ribs, shoulder, etc. If you are smoking a brisket, you really just use salt and pepper and a good smoking wood.