Fire up the coals and get ready for some Texas dry rub barbecue.
Texans take their barbecue seriously. As peaches are to Georgia, a meaty beef brisket coated with a secret dry rub and slow-smoked to perfection is to the Lone Star state. Individuals, restaurants and families pride themselves on being masters of their craft and a dry rub is often a key component that sets their barbecue apart from all others. A dry rub is simply a coating of blended seasonings that is rubbed onto the meat prior to cooking. Texas-style dry rubs often use very little sugar and have a little higher heat component that most. Making your own Texas-style dry rub can be a creative barbecue experiment. With a little practice, and just the right ingredients, you can create your own personal blend of seasonings and spices and be able to boast that it is the best.
Instructions
1. Assemble salt, pepper and any other spices that you feel might blend well. If making a small batch to cover just a few steaks, one or two tablespoons of each ingredient should be enough. For larger batches that can be stored, more of each ingredient will be needed. Onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, ground mustard, paprika, sugar, oregano, cumin and celery salt are all popular ingredients that can be incorporated into your Texas dry rub recipe.
2. Add salt and pepper to mixing container. A simple salt and pepper combination is called a Dalmatian rub in Texas. Pepper complements beef well and the salt helps bring out the flavor. If the meat has been brined in a salty solution, be careful not to add too much salt to avoid over salting.
3. Combine other seasonings in container as desired to taste. Experiment with different ingredient combinations and amounts to create your own personal Texas-style dry rub. A typical Texas dry rub will tilt toward the spicy side. Cayenne pepper is a great choice to add some extra heat and small amounts of ancho chili powder can go a long ways in providing some exotic flavor. Garlic and onion powders can also be used in liberal amounts to help enhance a full flavor.
4. Coat the meat with the mixture by liberally applying by hand and rubbing the seasonings into the meat prior to cooking. Letting the meat sit for a few hours, up to overnight, will effectively help to marinate and provide additional flavor. Properly coated and cooked Texas dry rub barbecue will produce a crunchy, flavorful crust when done.
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