The BBQ flavour is synonymous with grills, roasting and burgers and rightly so. While there are many variations the outcome is usually a blend of sweet and savoury with a slight zing to it. Creating your own BBQ Spice Rub is an excellent way of putting more of what you like in and toning down flavours like pepperiness if you aren’t too keen on the heat or salt if you prefer less.
Sweetness & Tartness
The sweetness in a BBQ sauce is usually from honey, sugar or in some variations pineapple juice. This balances with the vinegar which creates the base of the sweet and tangy side of the sauce. Vinegar adds a very distinct and familiar taste to the BBQ flavour which is hard to mimic in a dry rub.
Tamarind is an excellent addition, but Amchur also adds that slightly fruity flavour.
Amchur is an Indian spice that is commonly used in chutneys, curries and achars. It is made from dried green mangos and then powdered. The fruity tartness is simply delicious.
Spice and all things nice
Smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic, and onion are the basics with cumin and coriander adding earthiness to the mix.
Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking and experiment with adding or subbing out one or two of the spices for your favourites. You will be well on your way to creating your own family-secret recipe!
Why the cornstarch?
When you are roasting or grilling, cornstarch adds crispiness to the finish, especially with vegetables. This is entirely optional though, so leave it out if you prefer.
All there is to know about spices
If you are new to using and mixing your own spices – read my article on Luxurious Spices: Economical ways to select, store and use.
