Choosing Your Meat Rubs

If you want to really bring out the flavor in your meat, you will want to use a rub. While marinades can be nice, they don’t always impart the same level of flavor and they tend to create more of a gravy or a sauce than infusing deep into the meat. Meat rubs on the other hand tend to stay very well during the cooking or smoking process, ensuring a better flavor profile and more control over the end product. You can buy ready made options, or you can make your own, both of which have benefits and drawbacks.

Using a ready made meat rubs has the benefit of your meat coming out the exact same each and every time. Companies put a lot of time and effort into making sure that they have a consistent product. When you get their mix you know that the first time or the hundredth time, you are going to get the same result. This can be great for when you want a specific flavor profile or just want some consistency.

On the other hand, making your own lets you cater the spice levels and flavor profile to your own personal likes and dislikes. You can either start from scratch or start with a commercial rub and then add in extra ingredients. However, unless you write everything down, weigh as you go, and are extremely careful, you likely won’t be able to get as consistent a product. Some people make up for this by making large amounts in a single batch, while others enjoy the variations that they can create.

In the end it’s up to you what mix you use to impart flavor to your meat. Combining good flavors with a strong knowledge of how to cook or smoke meat will leave you with a better end product. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn what you like and don’t like.