10 Uses for Rub that have nothing to do with BBQ
The definition of Rub is any mixture of ground spices that is made for the purpose of being rubbed on raw food before the food is cooked. We have posted plenty of recipes on our site about the traditional uses for The Rub while smoking plants like jackfruit, chickpeas and sweet potatoes - but The Rub can be used for so much more on both raw and fully cooked foods. Perhaps it needs to be renamed: Magic Dust. I am thinking about it. But for now, here are my top 10 uses for The Rub -- no smoker or BBQ required.
Roasted veggies - You don’t need a smoker to make delicious veggies. I used to steam my veggies, seriously. Now I toss any veggie in a little olive oil and then in The Rub. Bake to your liking - I like 400 for about 20 minutes.
Popcorn - Yes popcorn. My friend Susanne turned me onto this creative use and I have never looked back. If you want a real kicker, drizzle some of our Hot Stuff on top too.
Pizza crust - I love to make pizza at home - my go-to is BBQ pizza...surprise, surprise. I buy Udi’s pizza crust or Freshdirect dough, you can also buy from almost any grocery store. I coat the crust in olive oil and The Rub before covering in The BBQ sauce, Violife mozzarella and shiitake bacon. Any topping will do but those are my favorites.
Marinade - Add The Rub to olive oil or some citrus and let anything marinate. It will punch up the flavor no matter how you cook it.
Salad dressing - Dressings inevitably end up being abandoned on the fridge door, that’s why I like to make my own. It’ s easy: Olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and The Rub. My friend Deana told me when mixing to add an ice cube - apparently it blends better - I have been doing it that way for the past 20 years. If I want it tangier I add mustard and if I want BBQ I add BBQ sauce. Play around with amounts until you get a taste you like.
Pasta Sauce - It is so simple to make your own from canned crushed tomatoes, add a little olive oil, maybe some garlic and some of The Rub - the sweetness in the Rub perfectly mellows the acid in the tomatoes.
Beans - Whole or refried taste better with some rub and some heat. They’re good to keep in your fridge--they can be added to recipes from salads to sides to my favorite tacos and nachos.
Batter or breading - I put The Rub in our waffle mix when I want something more savory, in cornbread almost always, and in the dry and wet batter when frying mushrooms (my new obsession). It is the perfect blend to add subtle flavors without overpowering.
Burgers - Burgers deserve to be coated...in The Rub. I love an occasional Beyond Burger, but my go-to is any old bean and veggie burger handmade by me or frozen.
Put The Rub on any of our Pure Grit recipes from coleslaw to queso to mac and cheese and our smoked mains. Seriously, The Rub is not just for BBQ and deserves a spot on the table next to the salt and pepper.
There are so many other delicious uses for The Rub not listed here. Please let us know the creative and simple ways you use Rub.
Fall grilling has begun and football season looks to be back on track, GO BLUE, so don’t forget to buy The Rub or our Pure Grit BBQ essentials that also happens to make a great host gift for grillers and non-grillers alike.
Check out our simple recipes for inspiration. Tag us (@puregritbbq) in your posts.
We would love to see what you are cooking. And don’t forget The Rub! Let’s see what happens.
