An American, and perhaps particularly Texan, habit I’ve happily adopted is using a dry rub when grilling or barbecuing. Dry rubs are spice blends that are rubbed onto raw meat before cooking to add flavor and encourage caramelization. Unlike marinades, dry rubs do not tenderize meat by moisture infusion, although some commercial blends include enzymatic tenderizers.
Stewies Dry Rub for Grub
At first I used a shop‑bought rub that contained papain, an enzyme derived from papaya, which offered some of the effects of a marinade. That commercial mix was versatile and I used it on chicken, fish, vegetables, beef, pork and ribs. Over time I experimented and developed my own everyday dry rub that I now use on virtually everything. I still include an enzymatic tenderizer, but switched from papain to bromelain—an extract from pineapple—because it was easier to source. Bromelain helps break down protein bonds in meat, improving tenderness without changing the dry rub’s characteristic texture.
Although this rub contains a variety of spices, it contributes a balanced, subtle flavor once cooked while promoting caramelization and tenderness. Store the blend in an airtight container in your spice cupboard and sprinkle generously on meat, fish or vegetables a couple of hours before cooking for best results.
Stewie’s Dry Rub for Grub
- 8 tbsp Hungarian paprika
- 4 tbsp salted meat tenderizer (bromelain)
- 4 tbsp chili powder
- 4 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 4 tbsp celery salt
- 4 tbsp ground cumin
- 4 tbsp garlic powder
- 4 tbsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp oregano
- 4 tbsp coarse cornmeal
Dry Rub Ingredients
Use this rub as an all‑purpose seasoning for grilling, roasting or broiling. Apply liberally to the surface of the food and let it rest for a couple of hours before cooking. The combination of spices, sugar and coarse cornmeal creates a tasty, slightly crunchy crust while the bromelain contributes gentle tenderizing action. Adjust quantities to suit your taste and the size of your batch; the recipe stores well and makes a convenient, flavorful go‑to rub for everyday cooking.