BBQ Dry Rub

How to Make a Delicious BBQ Dry Rub

You have a brisket just waiting for its turn on the grill. You know it will take hours of long, slow cooking to get it to that mouthwatering delicious point that no one can resist. You want the perfect dry rub to enhance the beefy flavor but not overpower it. The key is to keep your rub simple.

BBQ dry rubs are an excellent way to add flavor to your meats. They are usually made from a combination of seasonings that are hand-rubbed onto the meat at some point before it goes on the grill. Some people like to do them at the last minute; others like to let the meat and the rub spend time getting to know each other first. Either way, you're in for a real treat when you sit down to eat.

There are a lot of recipes out there for dry rubs... how do you know if you've found the bbq dry rub you want? The best advice is to try a simple recipe. Once you've eaten it, you can figure out how to tweak it the next time for the exact flavor you want. It is kind of a learning process that helps you figure out the exact recipe for your taste buds. Always write down what you add and how much you used so you can duplicate it if you like it.

When you are preparing your brisket, make sure you have an accurate thermometer for your grill.  You want your brisket to get the full benefit of a long, slow cooking time at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the meat warms gradually, melting all the tough fibers inside until you have a delicious meal that will melt in your mouth. The bbq dry rub forms a delicious crust on the surface that contrasts nicely with the tender, juicy interior of each slice. Don't rush this process or you will end up with an expensive yet tough piece of meat. Be prepared with plenty of propane or charcoal (depending on which bbq camp you adhere to) so you can maintain that low heat for several hours. When you are cooking a full-sized brisket, it is not uncommon to cook it for eight or more hours until it reaches that peak of perfection.

Get to know both your grill and your brisket. Read all you can from the bbq experts. Try different dry rubs until you find the one that you like best. Practice. Before you know it, you'll be able to turn out a delicious brisket like the best of them.

Here is a simple bbq dry rub to begin with:

BBQ Brisket Dry Rub

1/2 cup paprika

1/3 cup brown sugar

3 Tablespoons garlic powder

3 Tablespoons onion powder

2 Tablespoons oregano

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Rinse your brisket and pat it dry with a paper towel. Work the mixture into the surface of the meat with your fingers. Don't miss any spots. Leftover rub can be stored in a cool, dark place in an airtight container as long as you didn't redip your fingers directly into the mix while massaging it into the brisket.