BBQ Sauces and Spices – Own The Grill https://ownthegrill.com Ordinary People, Extraordinary Food Sat, 24 Aug 2024 13:46:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://i0.wp.com/ownthegrill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Own-The-Grill-Icon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 BBQ Sauces and Spices – Own The Grill https://ownthegrill.com 32 32 177643830 Best Store Bought BBQ Sauces https://ownthegrill.com/best-store-bought-bbq-sauces/ Sat, 14 May 2022 17:45:04 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=9148 Is there any sauce better than BBQ sauce? This super versatile sauce […]

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Is there any sauce better than BBQ sauce? This super versatile sauce works well with most foods, no matter how we use it.

Whether we’re smothering our barbecued ribs with it or simply dolloping it on the side of our plate, the sweet, tangy taste is hard to beat.

In an ideal world, most of us would prefer to make our BBQ sauce from scratch, but sadly that isn’t always possible.

This is when we need to pick out the very best BBQ sauces in-store or online. However, with so many wonderful BBQ sauce styles and flavors to choose from, picking the best option can be difficult.

Flavors can range from beautifully sweet and mild, to smoky and hot, making it hard to find the one you need. No need to worry, though, we’re here to help.

To help you find the best store bought BBQ sauce, we’ve done the research and compiled a list of the very best options available. We’ve even included a buyer’s guide to help you decide.

Let’s get started, shall we!

 

Best Store Bought BBQ Sauces – Our Top 10

Jack Daniel’s Old Original No.7 Barbecue Sauce

The first sauce on our list simply has to be Jack Daniel’s Old Original No.7 Barbecue sauce.

Perfect for anyone wanting an authentic smoky flavor, this barbecue sauce is one of the best when it comes to adding a burst of healthy flavors to our food.

Made from 100% natural ingredients, the original barbecue sauce is quite peppery and full-bodied, so people who like things sweeter might want to check another sauce out.

However, when we tasted this BBQ sauce, we found that the flavors were strong, but not to the point where the sauce drowns out other flavors.

To ensure their sauce is completely authentic, Jack Daniel’s makes the sauce with an old-time method known as the kettle-cooking process. This guarantees only the highest-quality, authentic taste that you’ll never grow tired of.

Personally, we like to use this sauce when grilling meat. Whether it be making delicious barbecue chicken or slowly cooking a juicy rack of ribs, the original no.7 barbecue sauce won’t let you down.

Pros:

  • Authentic flavors – This BBQ sauce unleashes all those smoky authentic BBQ sauce flavors.
  • Affordable – The original no.7 sauce is sold at a very fair price.
  • Delicious – Above all else, this sauce is absolutely delicious.

Cons:

  • Not very sweet – Those of you who like sweeter sauces might not like this one.

Rufus Teague Touch O’ Heat BBQ Sauce

When it comes to everything that makes a BBQ sauce great, Rufus Teague’s Touch O’ Heat BBQ Sauce has it all. It has a slight hint of smokiness, a lovely sweet flavor, a delicate heat, and a wonderfully thick consistency.

Despite having a bit of heat and a hint of smokiness, this sauce offers just the right amount without becoming overpowering.

As a result, the sauce goes well with virtually everything. Whether you want a BBQ sauce for your pulled pork and chicken, or just want a sauce to dip your fries in, the Touch O’ Heat BBQ Sauce is ideal.

Considered to be a genuine Kansas City barbecue sauce, Rufus Teague has ensured only the best ingredients go into making every bottle.

Made from natural ingredients, the sauce is devoid of high fructose corn syrup and any additives.

When we took a closer look at this BBQ sauce, it wasn’t only the gorgeous flavors that pleased us. We also loved the bottle the sauce came in.

Interestingly, this BBQ sauce comes in a whiskey bottle. This gives the bottle of sauce a much more premium feel.

Pros:

  • A beautiful balance of flavors – This sauce perfectly combines heat, sweetness, and smokiness.
  • Natural – The Touch O’ Heat BBQ Sauce is made from completely natural ingredients.
  • Gluten-free – This sauce is also gluten-free.

Cons:

  • Quite thick – Some may find this sauce a little too thick.

Bull’s-Eye Original BBQ Sauce

The next sauce on our list is one of the best BBQ sauces you can choose if you want something relatively simple that doesn’t stir things up too much.

Offering a good balance of spiciness, sweetness, smokiness, and thickness, this is the type of BBQ sauce that the whole family will enjoy.

There are no overpowering flavors, and the sauce can be used on anything you see fit. Aside from this, the sauce’s biggest selling point is how affordable it is.

Compared to other BBQ sauces available in-store, Bull’s-Eye’s original sauce is much cheaper. In fact, you could buy two or three bottles of this sauce for the same price as one bottle of some sauces.

When we took a closer look at the Bull’s-Eye Original BBQ Sauce, we were generally pleased with it as a whole. The taste is great, and it has enough body to cling and soak into anything you baste with it. It’s great for brisket and other traditional BBQ.

The only downside with the sauce is that it is a bit heavier when it comes to high fructose corn syrup.

Pros:

  • Simple, yet tasty – This sauce offers great flavors in a simple sauce.
  • Great family choice – The Original BBQ Sauce is one everyone will enjoy.
  • Great value for money – You’ll struggle to find a sauce cheaper than this one.

Cons:

  • High fructose corn syrup – This sauce is a bit heavier in high fructose corn syrup.

Stubb’s Original BBQ Sauce

Stubb’s Original BBQ Sauce was first created in 1968, the same year in which Stubb opened its first Texas barbecue joint. That joint quickly became a huge hit with BBQ enthusiasts all over the United States.

With so many years in the BBQ sauce business, it’s no surprise to see Stubb’s sauce on our list.

Thanks to their experience and knowledge in the industry, Stubb’s makes an awesome BBQ sauce not too dissimilar to the very first one they made.

The only real difference is that the sauce is now sold in a bottle, which it wasn’t in 1968.

Made from scratch, Stubb’s perfectly blends fresh, natural ingredients to make their sweet and tangy, yet quite simple sauce. The shortlist of ingredients includes tomatoes, molasses, black pepper, and vinegar.

Pairing well with any meat, whether it be a homemade meatloaf or rack of ribs, We are sure your family and friends will appreciate the divine taste of Stubb’s Original BBQ Sauce.

We loved how this sauce isn’t as smoky and hot as other sauces. Instead, Stubb’s has focused on creating a more unique tomatoey BBQ sauce that anyone can enjoy.

Pros:

  • Original – This sauce doesn’t divert away too far from Stubb’s first 1968 BBQ sauce recipe.
  • Sweet and tangy – The Stubb’s Original BBQ sauce is delightfully sweet and tangy.
  • Simple recipe – This sauce has a short ingredient list consisting of only natural ingredients.

Cons:

  • Thinner than other sauces – If you’re looking for a thick BBQ sauce, you may have to look elsewhere.

Heinz Carolina Vinegar Style Tangy BBQ Sauce

Next on our list is the Carolina Vinegar Style Tangy BBQ Sauce from Heinz. We all know just how big Heinz is in the sauce industry, so you’re probably not too surprised to see one of their BBQ sauces on our list.

However, for this BBQ sauce, Heinz actually teamed up with Sam Jones, who happens to be the heir to Skylight Inn BBQ in North Carolina.

Together, Heinz and Sam Jones have produced arguably one of the best BBQ sauces on the market.

Made by blending apple cider vinegar with a variety of sweet flavors and spices, this one-of-a-kind tangy Carolina-style BBQ sauce is a great addition to any cookout.

Accompanying most meats well, it must be said that this sauce works best with chicken. So much so, that many users of the sauce believe it is the best BBQ sauce you can possibly buy for marinating or grilling your chicken.

Aside from tasting amazing and working with a wide range of foods, another advantage this sauce has is its bottle.

Unlike other BBQ sauces, this sauce comes in one of Heinz’s iconic squeeze bottles. This makes life a lot easier when trying to add the right amount to your food.

Pros:

  • Versatile – This sauce goes with just about anything.
  • Great combination of flavors – This Heinz sauce has a wonderful balance of flavors.
  • Tasty – Most importantly, the Heinz Carolina Vinegar sauce tastes great.

Cons:

  • Vinegar-based – In Carolina tradition, this sauce is quite vinegary which some people might not like.

Cowtown Night Of The Living BBQ Sauce

If it’s a spicy BBQ sauce you’re looking for, the Night Of The Living BBQ Sauce from Cowtown could be your best option.

Bringing a burst of heat to your barbecue, this sauce offers the perfect amount of heat to get your tongue and lips tingling without overpowering your food.

To balance out the heat of the sauce, molasses and sweet sugar are added as well as a hint of smokiness, which only enhances the overall flavor of the sauce more.

This is another BBQ sauce that can be used on almost anything. Having said that, we personally prefer to use this sauce with our barbecued chicken wings.

We find that the heat, sweetness, and smokiness of the sauce give them a delicious flavor that is hard to beat.

The only downside we could find with the sauce is that the tomato paste can sometimes taste a little too strong. However, that doesn’t stop this sauce from being one of, if not the best.

In fact, you don’t just have to take our word for it. This Cowtown BBQ sauce actually won “The Best BBQ Sauce On The Planet” title when judged at the American Royal Barbecue Contest.

Pros:

  • Packs a punch – This sauce has a great kick of heat.
  • Versatile – The Night Of The Living Sauce goes well with any meat.
  • Not overpowering – The rest of your meal won’t be spoiled by the heat.

Cons:

  • Strong tomato paste – Some people will find the tomato paste overpowering.

Bone Suckin BBQ Sauce

If you’re really not a fan of heat and simply want a super sweet BBQ sauce, you should take a look at the Bone Suckin BBQ Sauce.

Sweeter than most BBQ sauces on the market, this may even remind you of a sweet and sour sauce instead of BBQ sauce. That’s not a problem, though, as this sweet and sour taste is delicious.

As if the sweet and sour flavors of the sauce weren’t already enough, this sauce also has the added advantage of a hickory smoky flavor.

We love the smoky flavor of this sauce as it is only mild and unlike some smoky flavors, tastes completely natural and chemical-free.

While this sauce tastes great with most foods and meats, it isn’t as thick as other Kansas City BBQ sauces, so it might not stick to ribs as well.

If you want to use the sauce on your ribs though, don’t worry, simply cooking the sauce down in a saucepan for a couple of minutes will thicken it enough. The sauce should then stick to your ribs perfectly.

Pros:

  • Sweeter – This sauce is ideal for those of you who like it sweet.
  • Mild smoky flavor – Bone Suckin BBQ Sauce also has a pleasant, mild smoky flavor.
  • Readily available – This sauce can be found in most places.

Cons:

  • Very sweet – If you’re not too keen on sweet sauces, you should probably look elsewhere.

Lillie’s Q Smoky Barbecue Sauce

Based in Chicago, Lillie’’s Q is a barbecue-style restaurant with roots firmly planted in Southern cooking.

Thanks to a huge growth in popularity across Chicago, stores now stock Lillie’s Q barbecue sauce, making it a lot easier to find a bottle locally.

Lillie’s Q Smoky Barbecue Sauce is a Memphis-style BBQ sauce that has a sweet molasses-like taste, complimented nicely with a gorgeous smokiness.

Like all the other BBQ sauces on our list so far, this sauce also works well with virtually anything. However, Lillie’s Q advises customers that their sauce tastes best when smothered over a rack of ribs or smoked chicken.

After testing the sauce out, we are happy to say, Lillie’s Q is completely right. We tried the sauce with our smoked chicken and a slow-cooked rack of ribs and found that it enhanced every flavor.

For us, this sauce is also one of the best sauces when it comes to the whole family enjoying it. Thanks to the well-balanced flavors, the sauce isn’t too hot, too thin, too sweet, or too smoky.

Pros:

  • Well-balanced – Every flavor compliments each other perfectly.
  • Perfect for ribs and smoked chicken – If you smoke your chicken or regularly cook ribs, this sauce is ideal.
  • One for all – You can use Lillie’s Q BBQ Sauce with anything.

Cons:

  • Still hard to find sometimes – This sauce is still rising in popularity, so you might still struggle to find it.

Lillie’s Q Gold Barbecue Sauce

Another brilliant BBQ sauce produced by Lillie’s Q is the Gold Barbecue Sauce. Unlike their smoky sauce, this BBQ sauce is a mustard-based condiment that offers a more tangy, sweet flavor.

Inspired by Grandma Lillie, this sauce is much-loved by many BBQ enthusiasts in the South, who love its distinctive flavor.

As well as tasting tangy and sweet, the Gold Barbecue Sauce also has a lovely pinch of spice to it. Together, this sweet, tangy, spicy sauce packs a punch when it comes to enhancing the taste of pork and chicken.

Whether you’re marinating, dipping, or smothering your meat, this sauce will get the job done and impress your entire family.

In our opinion, this sauce might actually be even better than Lillie’s Q Smoky Barbecue Sauce. We believe this because it offers something slightly different and unique from other sauces on the market.

The tangy and sweet flavors along with the spices work perfectly and produce something like nothing else we have tried before.

When we reviewed this BBQ sauce, we also found that it made a great dipping sauce to use when dipping chicken wings. Trust us, licking your fingers when you’ve finished devouring your chicken wings will never be the same again.

Pros:

  • Lovely flavors – The tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy taste of this sauce is perfect.
  • Versatile – Use this sauce when marinating, smothering, or dipping your food.
  • Unique – This sauce offers something different.

Cons:

  • Thinner than others – The Gold Barbecue Sauce is thinner than most sauces.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Sensuous Slathering Sauce

Another BBQ sauce that isn’t as readily available as others is the Sensuous Slathering Sauce from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

A real treat, if you do manage to find it in-store, this sauce not only tastes great, but also has the advantage of being one of the lowest-sugar bottled sauces on the market.

This helps make the sauce a healthy option and also ensures it isn’t too sweet.

You may now be wondering where the sauce gets its sweet taste from. Well, most of the sauce’s sweetness comes from the type of bell pepper used to make the sauce.

In terms of other flavors, the Sensuous Slathering Sauce also has tangy and smoky flavors.

Combined with the sweetness of the bell pepper, this creates a well-balanced, thick sauce that can be enjoyed on most foods, whether it be used as a dip, marinade, or something to smother meats with.

When we took a look at the ingredients used to make this sauce, we were very happy to find that it contained only natural ingredients and contained no fructose corn syrup of any kind.

Pros:

  • Natural – This BBQ sauce is 100% natural.
  • Flavorful – Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has packed this sauce with flavor.
  • Tasty – We can happily confirm that this sauce tastes great.

Cons:

  • Hard to find – This BBQ sauce isn’t stocked in as many stores as other sauces on this list.

Buyer’s Guide

Before buying a BBQ sauce, there are a few things you’re going to want to think about. In this buyer’s guide, you will find the most important of these things and why you should take them into consideration.

Type Of BBQ Sauce

One thing you’re really going to want to think about is the type of BBQ sauce you want to buy. All BBQ sauces are different, so you need to know what to expect from each one.

To give you a better understanding, we’ve detailed the main types of BBQ sauce below.

Kansas City Style

Kansas City-style BBQ sauce is the most readily available type of barbecue sauce across the US.

This sauce balances a mix of tomato with sweetness, smoke, and tang to produce a delicious sauce. It is usually reddish-brown in color and goes best with any type of meat, especially ribs.

Memphis Style

Memphis-style BBQ sauce isn’t that different from the Kansas City-styled sauces, apart from the fact it tends to have a sweeter, more rich taste. This richer sweetness is a result of molasses and the addition of vinegar.

Texas Style

Also referred to as “mop sauce”, Texas-style barbecue sauce is made with vinegar and tomato. These types of sauces are usually a lot lighter and contain extra ingredients like black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic

North Carolina Sauce

North Carolina’s population may not admit it, but North Carolina-style BBQ sauces are essentially an earlier version of more popular Kansas City barbecue sauces.

Typically, this type of BBQ sauce suits individuals who aren’t particularly keen when it comes to heat. These sauces contain less spice and more tomato, leaving us with a sweeter barbecue sauce.

Texture

Another important factor to take into consideration when buying BBQ sauce is its texture. The texture of a sauce impacts how successfully it can coat food and how it can be used.

For example, a sauce with a thinner texture won’t coat a rack of ribs very well. The sauce will slide off. Instead, a thicker sauce will do the trick.

You need to think about what you plan on doing with the sauce first. If you only want to use the sauce to dip chicken wings or fries, a thinner option is fine.

On the other hand, if you want to smother meats before grilling or smoking them, a thicker, smoother sauce is needed.

Ingredients

You should always check the label before buying any food product, not just BBQ sauce. Above all else, you should do this just to ensure there’s nothing in the sauce you are allergic to.

Aside from that, by checking the label, we can identify any nasty ingredients and find out how nutritious a sauce is.

In our opinion, if you check a label and find that the sauce isn’t made from natural ingredients, you should look elsewhere. Natural sauces will be healthier for you and probably taste a lot nicer.

You can also check the ingredients if you have any dietary requirements, for example, you may want a gluten-free or organic sauce.

Flavor

Finally, it is always a good idea to think about what flavors you want to experience from your BBQ sauce. BBQ sauce flavors vary massively, so you need to know what you want in advance.

Some sauces might be smoky and hot, while others are sweet and tangy. Some sauces might even combine everything to offer a hot or mild, smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce.

By knowing what flavors you want in advance, you can rest assured that the sauce you choose will provide you with all the flavors you desire.

There is no worse feeling than picking a sauce before then finding out it is too hot, or not hot enough. Alternatively, the sauce may be too sweet or not sweet enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Buy Vegan-Friendly Barbecue Sauce?

Yes, you can buy vegan barbecue sauce. However, there are ingredients in some BBQ sauces that will prevent vegans from being able to eat them.

One of the most common ingredients is honey. Obviously, honey isn’t vegan, so if you see it in the ingredients list, you should steer clear and find another option.

When checking the ingredients, you will probably find that vegan-friendly barbecue sauces contain sweeteners instead of honey.

How Long Can I Keep My Barbecue Sauce?

According to studies, most unopened bottles of barbecue sauce can last for approximately 1 year when kept in a pantry. When the bottle has been opened, this figure drops significantly.

When a bottle of BBQ sauce has been opened, it should be kept in a refrigerator for approximately 4 months. After 4 months, the chances are the sauce won’t be any good.

How Can I Thicken Barbecue Sauce?

Thickening barbecue sauce is actually very easy. In fact, you can thicken barbecue sauce just like you would with other foods. The most popular, and probably the best, option is to reduce the sauce by heating it on a stove.

Putting the sauce in a saucepan and simmering it on low to medium heat will cause excess water to evaporate, thickening the sauce in the process.

Alternatively, you can also use cornstarch or flour with water to thicken the sauce. Simply mix the cornstarch or flour with the water and then add it to the sauce before giving it a good mix.

You should do this gradually to avoid over-thickening the sauce.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, that concludes our article looking at the best store bought BBQ sauces on the market.

BBQ sauce is one of the most versatile condiments available. Whether we’re using it to dip our fries, drizzle brisket tacos or marinate chicken wings, the sweet, tangy, smoky flavors of the sauce are sure to impress.

While nothing truly beats a good homemade BBQ sauce, on this list, we have shown you store bought BBQ sauces that live up to expectations.

While BBQ sauces vary in terms of style and flavors, with some being hot and smoky, and others being mild and sweet, they all serve similar purposes.

Every sauce on our list can be used to enhance the flavors of almost any food without overpowering other flavors.

Now you have our list and buyer’s guide, you can start to narrow down your options until you find the BBQ sauce you want to try most.

You may even want to try a couple of different sauces to see what you like most and how they impact your food.

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Best Oil for Griddle Cooking – Top Picks & Ultimate Guide https://ownthegrill.com/best-oil-for-griddle-cooking/ Mon, 13 Jan 2020 05:08:01 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=487 If you regularly work with flat top griddles, you know that it’s […]

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If you regularly work with flat top griddles, you know that it’s one of the absolute best ways to prepare delicious breakfasts, lunches, or dinners for your family and friends.

The flat top grill is one of the most versatile types of grills out there.  Anything from pancakes and eggs to a perfectly seared steak is possible on the same surface.

One of the most overlooked components of maintaining a healthy griddle surface is the oil you choose to use with it.  Cooking oil is a crucial component of griddle cooking, griddle cleaning, and seasoning.  Ultimately, using the best oil for griddle cooking will lead to tastier results and a more healthy, easier to clean flat top surface on your grill.

In this post, we’ll go over some of our choices for the best oil for griddle cooking.  We’ll also touch on some of the reasons using the right oil is so important, and explain how it will most definitely enhance your griddle.

Best Oil for Griddle Cooking – Top Picks

Cooking oil is about as widely used of an ingredient as it gets – and it serves a variety of important functions in the cooking process.

You want to use an oil for cooking that adds flavor and depth to your food, but also one that bonds with your griddle to form a seasoned, non-stick surface over time.

No matter which oil you choose for your flat top grill – it should be high in fatty acids.  The reason is, high fatty acid oils will more easily bond to your griddle’s surface.  That’s exactly what you want to season your grill’s surface and add delicious flavor to your food over time.

It’s important to note too that there are a lot of oils that will work great on your griddle.  Which is the best oil for your flat top grill ultimately will depend on your personal preferences, and which foods you’re cooking – that might change on a day to day basis depending on what’s for dinner!

With that in mind, here are some of our top picks for the best oil for griddle cooking:

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is dubbed by many as the ultimate high heat cooking oil – and it gets our top pick for the best oil for griddle cooking.

Health wise, it has lots of benefits similar to olive oil, but unlike olive oil refined avocado oil can have a smoke point of up to 520° Fahrenheit.  For high heat cooking, avocado oil is by far and away the best choice.  Avocado oil is high in monounsaturated and saturated fats, which is perfect for cooking.

The high smoke point allows you to safely sear, BBQ, and saute on your flat top at high temperatures without the oil breaking down and potentially ruining your food.

Avocado oil’s flavor is neutral for the most part (especially compared to olive oil) but will pass along very light notes of grassiness and avocado flavor.

Chosen Foods Avocado Oil for High-Heat Cooking
  • High smoke point is great for sautéing and griddle cooking
  • Adds lovely subtle taste to your food
Check Price on Amazon

Canola Oil

Canola oil is a great alternative if you consistently plan to cook with high heats. Some of the more quality canola oils have a smoke point of up to 470 degrees.

It has a pretty neutral flavor profile and also features some heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

On a practical level, canola oil is generally cheap, especially when compared to other cooking oils.  So if you’re trying to keep that grocery bill down, canola oil is a nice choice.

Many canola oils are made from genetically modified canola seeds, so be sure to work with organic canola oil if you are on a non-GMO diet.

Coconut Oil

Coc0nut Oil is a great choice due to its rich and flavorful taste and is said to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  It certainly imparts a unique, delicious flavor to your food.

The downside of coconut oil is that it has the lowest smoke point of any of the oils on this list at around 400°.  So you need to be careful with what you choose to cook with it on your griddle.

Personally, I use coconut oil the least on this list due to the fact that it’s almost all saturated fat – which is perfectly ok for cooking but maybe not the healthiest for everyday use.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest grade of virgin oil.  It’s made by simply crushing olives and extracting the juice.  Extra virgin olive oil is the only cooking olive oil that’s made without an industrial refining process or the use of chemicals – and it’s an excellent all around type of oil for griddle cooking. This oil can burn a very high heat, so I would stick to quicker cooking foods when choosing EVOO.

Olive oil has more monounsaturated fats than most other oils, which is what makes it so great for heart healthy cooking.  It also brings a delicious and unique flavor profile to your food that you simply just can’t get from other cooking oils.

There’s a lot of opinion out there on the internet about just how good (or bad) extra virgin olive oil is for cooking.  The root of it comes down to the smoke point of olive oil, which can be relatively low compared to other oils, which makes it not the most ideal if you plan to cook at high temperatures.

High quality extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 425° Fahrenheit or higher though, which is plenty for many of the foods you’d cook on a griddle.  The fresher and higher quality of the olive oil, the higher the smoke point.

Be sure to read the label of the oil to make sure the smoke point is well suited for your needs!

Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Cold-pressed for robust flavor
  • Great for cooking & dipping
Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Put Oil on a Blackstone Griddle Before Cooking?

You’ll definitely want to put some oil on the Blackstone before cooking. The oil helps prevent food from sticking and adds some nice flavor. Most folks recommend using a high smoke point neutral oil like avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil. Just rub a thin layer all over the griddle using a paper towel or cooking brush. You’ll want to oil it every time before cooking, even if there’s some leftover oil from the previous use. Let the oil heat up for a few minutes until it shimmers, then you’re ready to start cooking! Go easy on the oil though – a little goes a long way on these griddles. Too much oil can lead to flare ups or food dripping excess grease. Just focus on an even, thin layer and you’ll be good to go.

What is the Best Cooking Oil For Blackstone Griddle?

For most purposes, I’d recommend using a refined high-smoke point neutral oil like avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil. You want an oil with a high smoke point (at least 400°F or more) so it can withstand the heat of the griddle without burning and smoking up your food.

A neutral tasting oil works best since you don’t want a strong olive oil or vegetable oil flavor coming through. Avocado oil is a great option – it has a mild flavor and one of the highest smoke points. Grapeseed oil is another good choice. Even plain old canola oil works nicely.

Some folks also like using a bit of bacon grease or beef tallow for added flavor, which is fine for meats and veggies. But I’d use it sparingly and combine it with a neutral oil. Too much grease can lead to flare ups.

No matter what oil you use, apply a very thin layer across the entire hot griddle surface before cooking. You don’t need a whole lot. Brush it on using a grill brush, paper towel, or high-heat silicone brush. Let it heat up until shimmering, then you’re good to go! Avoid over-oiling which can make a gummy mess.

Do You Oil a Griddle Before Cooking?

No matter what you are trying to cook, it is always a good idea to use oil with your griddle before you start cooking on a griddle. This will help to make the cooking process much easier and more convenient, but it will also make the cleanup process easier after you have finished cooking.

Oil is one of the most essential things that you will need when you are cooking with a griddle pan, and you will also need to apply plenty of it for it to be able to do its job efficiently.

Once the oil starts to heat up, it will stop your food from sticking to the griddle, which makes the cooking process much easier. You will probably even find that the overall finished result tastes much better than it otherwise would have.

You should also make sure that your griddle pan has been properly seasoned before you use it for the first time. The majority of griddles will come pre-seasoned, but there are some that will not. You should always check that it has been seasoned efficiently before you get started.

What is the Healthiest Oil to Cook With?

The healthiest type of oil to cook with and the one that is the most versatile is olive oil. However, you will need to ensure that it is extra virgin olive oil, and not the standard type. This basically means that the oil is not refined or overly processed. Extra virgin olive oil means that the oil has not been refined, which means that it is of a higher quality.

Extra virgin olive oil also contains a large amount of monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fatty acids, which many studies have linked to better heart health. Olive oil has quite a low smoking point compared to other oils, which means that it is best for low and medium heat cooking. It is also one of the healthiest oils that you can use for baking purposes.

Is Canola or Vegetable Oil Better?

Both canola oil and vegetable oil are quite similar, and it is totally possible for you to confuse them with one another if they were both next to each other on the counter. Both of these oils are pale yellow in color, neutral in flavor, inexpensive, and have high smoke points, which makes them good for high heat cooking, like frying.

Both of these oils can be used in place of the other, and while you might notice a slight difference in flavor if you tried just the oil, you shouldn’t notice a difference in the flavor or texture of the final dish.

Canola oil is thought to be the healthier option of the two as it is lower in saturated fat than vegetable oil. Canola oil is also one of the few oils that is rich in omega-3 fat, and it can also help lower levels of bad cholesterol.

If saturated fat is a concern, reach for the canola oil. Otherwise, you can cook with either oil with great results.

Can You Use PAM On a Griddle?

Cooking sprays use a blend of oils that help create a “non-stick” barrier between your food and the cooking surface, whether that be a griddle, a frying pan, or a baking sheet. Coat your griddle or skillets in Pam Cooking Spray to prevent your pancakes, french toast and eggs from flipping and to make the clean up easier!

You can season your griddle with almost any food-grade oil, but different oils can vary in the process from the burn time, smoke point, and durability once finished.

Best Oil for Griddle Cooking – Wrap Up

At the end of the day, the best oil for griddle cooking for you has a lot to do with your dietary preferences and what you need to cook.  Broadly speaking, we think that avocado oil is the overall best oil for flat top grills due to its high smoke point and general healthiness.

Be sure to think about the kinds of foods you like to cook on your griddle, and what temperature requirements are to prepare those foods.  The smoke point of each oil should be listed on the bottle, so check the label on the oil you want to buy to make sure it will suit your needs!

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  There are other great cooking oils out there like peanut, sesame, and flax oil to name a few.  We just think when it comes to the overall best oil for griddle cooking, the top choices are avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.

Looking for what to read next?  Check out our choices for the best flat top grill along with our other grilling expertise content right here!

The post Best Oil for Griddle Cooking – Top Picks & Ultimate Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Brisket Rub: What Is It, How To Make It At Home, & More – Our Complete Guide https://ownthegrill.com/brisket-rub/ Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:38:11 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=1856 When it comes to preparing brisket, it’s easy to focus on the […]

The post Brisket Rub: What Is It, How To Make It At Home, & More – Our Complete Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

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When it comes to preparing brisket, it’s easy to focus on the part of the process that revolves around your getting your smoker.  After all, your brisket is likely to spend upwards of 8-12 hours on the smoker if you’re cooking it low and slow.

But one of the most important parts of the brisket making process happens before your hunk of meat goes on the rack.  Choosing the right brisket rub can lead to legendary brisket that friends and family talk about for years and years.  Choose the wrong one?  Your brisket could leave you wanting more.

In this article, we’ve created a complete guide to brisket rub.  We’ll touch on what it is exactly, why it’s important, how to apply it, and a few of our favorite brisket rub recipes for you to try at home.

What is a Brisket Rub?

Simply put, a brisket rub is a combination of seasonings and flavoring ingredients which are mixed together and applied (or rubbed) to the outside of your brisket.  The term “brisket rub” simply refers to a BBQ rub that either was designed specifically for brisket or a general BBQ rub that works well with brisket.

Generally speaking, brisket rubs can be dry rubs or wet rubs and almost all of them consist of salt and some sort of sweet component as well.

Common ingredients for a brisket rub include but aren’t limited to:

  • Coarse kosher salt (fine table salt won’t get it done)
  • Coarse fresh ground black pepper (same here – the pepper needs to be coarse)
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Brown sugar
  • Mustard powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Chili powder
  • Maple sugar

Many professional pit masters and restaurants have their own brisket rub that you can pick up and try at home.  But it’s also entirely possible to create a perfectly delicious rub at home with staple spices and ingredients.

Smoking vs Grilling – and What it Means for Rubs

Before we go any further, it’s important to note that brisket rubs, and all BBQ rubs for that matter, are for when you’re cooking meat low and slow on a smoker.

They are not for grilling or searing on high temperatures – which is done over direct heat.  The reason being, many of the ingredients that are commonly found in BBQ rubs aren’t suited for high temperature cooking.

If you were to use a brisket rub that had sugars as an ingredient for seasoning a burger or steak, you’d be looking at a burnt and smoky mess after a few minutes of operating your grill.

BBQ rubs can be used on the smoker when the meat you smoke is cooked over long periods of time at low temperatures.  Especially if your rub has sugar in it, this method will allow for the rub to seep in and flavor your brisket beautifully while it cooks.

We’ve created a resource on the differences between a smoker and a grill right here if you want to dive a little bit deeper into this topic.

What Does Brisket Rub Do to a Brisket?

So now that you know what a brisket rub is, you might be wondering what a rub’s purpose is in the brisket smoking process.

First and foremost, a brisket rub is used to enhance the flavor of your beef.  All of the seasonings and ingredients, when balanced and applied in the proper amounts, will bring a next level of richness and flavor out of your brisket.  A good rub simply will make your brisket taste better and bring out the beefy brisket flavor that we all love.

The second reason that pit masters love to use brisket rub is because it helps them create delectable BBQ bark on their brisket.  Bark is a crunchy and flavorful crust that can form on the outside of your brisket when it’s cooked a certain way.  It’s the sort of thing that adds even more flavor, complexity, and deliciousness to your meat.  The perfect BBQ rub combined with cooking it the right way (and how you wrap your brisket) can result in some spectacular bark that’s sure to please the crowd.

How to Apply Brisket Rub

There are a few principles to keep in mind when you’re applying a brisket rub to help you get the most out of your spice mixture.

First, you’ll want to make sure your brisket is nice and trimmed before you apply your rub.  Some butchers or grocers will sell briskets pre trimmed, but if yours isn’t then you need to properly trim your brisket before you add any seasonings.

Brisket rub should always be applied liberally to the beef – it’s really hard to over do it so you should err on the side of coating your rub very generously.  Since brisket is such a large, tough, and beefy cut of meat to work with it can handle all a large quantity of rub spices and seasonings on the outside.

Use a paper towel to pat down the outside of the brisket before you get started to remove a little bit of moisture.  From there, you can also score the outside of your brisket, cutting slits about an inch long and half an inch deep across the entire exterior of your brisket.

This technique allows for even more surface area to work your brisket rub into – and the spices will have an easier time seeping down into the meat.

Should You Put Rub On Brisket Overnight?

The answer to this question is up for debate.  Some pit masters put their brisket on the smoker right after applying the rub, and others swear by refrigerating the rubbed brisket overnight before it goes on the smoker.

At the end of the day, this comes down to personal preference.  The longer the rub marinates on the brisket, the more the flavors will seep in before it goes on the smoker, and the more it will tenderize the brisket.

Of course, the brisket can spend upwards of 8-12 hours cooking on the smoker, so the flavors will have plenty of time to combine regardless of whether or not you let the rub set in overnight.

Personally, I put my brisket on the smoker almost right away after applying rub – but there’s nothing wrong at all with doing it either way.

Brisket Rub Recipes

Now that you know what brisket rub is and how to apply it to your beef, it’s time to talk recipes.  There are lots of excellent brisket rub recipes out there, but here are 3 of our favorites:

Texas Style Brisket Rub

Let’s kick things off with a classic, and very simple brisket rub recipe.  Texas style BBQ brisket consists of only two ingredients – kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper.  It might sound basic, but there’s a reason it’s so popular and the rub of choice for legendary pit masters like Aaron Franklin.

Ingredients (for a 12 pound brisket):

  • 1/2 cup kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder

That’s it!  The beauty of the simple Texas style brisket rub is that it’s designed to bring out and accentuate the flavors within the beef.  It also puts a little bit more emphasis on the charcoal and wood smokey flavors that absorb into the beef while it cooks.  This is a great rub to use while experimenting with which type of wood for brisket you most like to use.

Traditional Brisket Rub

If you’re looking for a solid, traditional sort of rub that you’d expect to be used at your local BBQ joint, check out this combination of common household spices and seasonings.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tbsp coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Depending on the size of your meat, you might have a little bit of leftover brisket rub with these portions.  If that’s the case, simply store your homemade rub in an airtight container.  Store it in a dark, cool, and dry section of your pantry and it can last up to 4 months.

Smokey Brisket Rub

For those of you who prefer the smokey flavor profile of BBQ, you can bring out the smokiness of your brisket with this simple recipe. (Source: Downshiftology)

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 3 tbsp maple sugar
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper

For my taste, this recipe brings about the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and smokey.  If you like things on the spicier side feel free to increase the portion of cayenne pepper in this rub.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Brisket Rub

  • Don’t be afraid to experiment.  While there are definitely a few staples that should be present in your rub, there are literally endless possibilities when it comes to different combinations to try.  Don’t be shy about mixing things up from time to time to see if you can improve your recipe.
  • Make your rub in advance and store it properly.  Between trimming, applying rub to, and wrapping your brisket, there’s a lot going on when it’s time to cook a brisket.  Take a little bit of the stress off and make your spice mixture in advance.  Seal it in a spice jar or other airtight container, then store in a dry, dark place in your pantry and it will last up to 4 months.
  • Pre made brisket rubs are great too.  If you’re missing ingredients or simply don’t want to make your own rub, there are some delicious pre made rubs available for sale.  Odds are, your favorite local BBQ joint sells their own rub for smoking – don’t be afraid to give that a try either!
  • Salt and pepper are your friend.  Coarse kosher salt and coarse ground pepper are the basis of most great rubs – these seasonings just simply do a great job of bringing out the flavors of your beef.  When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a simple salt and pepper blend.
brisket rub recipe
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Traditional Brisket Rub Recipe

A traditional brisket rub spice and seasoning recipe for smoking brisket
Course Main Course
Cuisine BBQ
Keyword BBQ Rub, Brisket, Brisket Rub
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 10kcal
Author Jimmy Watts

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 tbsp kosher salt coarse
  • 1 1/2 tbsp ground black pepper coarse
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Mix ingredients together in a small bowl
  • Apply liberally to the exterior of your brisket
  • Store any leftover rub in an airtight container and place in a dry, dark place

Nutrition

Calories: 10kcal

Final Thoughts

Brisket rub is one of those things that might be easy to overlook – especially if you’re new to the game of smoking meats.  But the experienced pit masters and pros know that the difference between good and great can come down to the rub.  Get your rub right and wrap your brisket in the right butcher paper, and you’re well on your way to legendary BBQ.

No matter what your flavor preferences are, there’s a BBQ rub out there for you.  Like things spicy?  Go heavier on the cayenne.  Prefer sweet and smokey?  Add smoked paprika and brown sugar.  Simple is your style?  You can make a delicious brisket only rubbing with salt and pepper.

What’s your favorite brisket rub recipe?  Did you try out any of ours from this article?  We’d love to hear from you and how your brisket smoking went in the comments section below.

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Chicken Wing Brine Recipe https://ownthegrill.com/chicken-wing-brine/ Sun, 06 Sep 2020 18:53:29 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=2707 Chicken wing brine is one of those things that most people don’t […]

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Chicken wing brine is one of those things that most people don’t think about, but would immediately notice if it weren’t around. Several chicken products are often brined before they are cooked.

The salty brine mixture is absorbed into the chicken, giving it that salty and savory flavor that freshly cooked chicken has.

Brining your chicken is part of getting that tender, fall-off-the-bone experience that chicken wing lovers need. It’s about finding that right combination of salt and spice to make a rich savory flavor and tender, moist texture.

So today, we are going to talk about our classic chicken wing brine recipe and how to make it at home. The best part is that it can be made in just a few minutes and can salt your chicken in just a few hours. You only need a couple of hours to go from brine to a deliciously cooked chicken on your plate, so it’s a great quick meal choice.

Why Do You Brine Chicken Wings?

Chicken is a very lean type of meat, meaning that it has relatively low fat and moisture content. As such, chicken is prone to drying out if not properly moisturized. Chicken brine is absorbed by the skin and seasons the meat all the way through, keeping it juicy and moisturized.

Chicken wing brine also prevents you from overcooking the chicken. Even if you overcook it a bit, the brine ensures that the chicken comes out tender and juicy.

Ingredients – What You Will Need

To make this chicken wing brine you will need:

  • 1 gallon of water
  • ¾ cup of kosher salt
  • 1 lemon
  • ⅔ cup of cane sugar
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup of olive oil
  • A large pot
  • Plastic storage bags

(Note: If you want to spice up this mixture, you can add some spices such as rosemary, thyme, peppercorn, or parsley. One of the best features of this recipe is that it is so simple and versatile.)

Here is a quick rundown of what you will be doing: First you need to create the brine itself. Afterward, you can add the chicken and let it marinate for a few hours.

Step-By-Step Directions

Making chicken wing brine is super easy. There are really only two steps!

  1. Pour the gallon of warm water into a container twice its volume. Add in the salt, sugar, soy sauce, and olive oil and bring the pot of water to a boil.
  2. Stir the contents of the bowl thoroughly until the salt and sugar have completely dissolved and the mixture is a uniform color and consistency. Turn off the burner, and allow the brine to cool to room temperature.
  3. Place chicken wings in a plastic bag and fill with brine until the pieces are mostly submerged. Then place the brined chicken in the fridge to marinate. The amount of time you let it brine depends on the kind of chicken you have. Once the chicken has been marinated, pat it dry with a paper towel before cooking.

So there you have it, a quick and easy chicken wing brine to prep your food for the oven or the grill. This brine literally takes minutes to make and is enough to marinate an entire week’s worth of wings!

How Much Brine For How Much Chicken?

As a general rule of thumb, you should have about 2 cups of brine for every 1 pound of chicken wings.  The recipe we’re outlining here produces a little bit over a gallon (16 cups) of brine, so it would be good for 8 pounds of wings – which is a lot!  Don’t be afraid to half or even quarter the recipe to get your proportions right.

Recipe Tips

  • If you want more flavor, add in more spices. You can even add in a few slices of lemon orange to each marination bag to get a fruity zest for your chicken.
  • Make sure that you are using kosher salt with this recipe. Kosher salt has different measurements than table salt and will be absorbed by the chicken differently. Table salt may make your chicken too salty and rubbery.
  • This recipe is versatile and you can basically put whatever you want in the brine. If you are feeling adventurous, you can add in some honey, dried chiles for an extra kick, or even some onions. Whatever pairs well with chicken can be used as part of the brine.
  • Fully pat the chicken off after it is done marinating. Wet chicken skin will cook all soggy like instead of making that crisp golden skin that we love in our wings.
  • Make sure that you let the pot fully boil as the mixture needs heat to dissolve the sugar and salt completely. If these ingredients are not dissolved, then they could clump on the skin.
  • Also, make sure that the water fully cools before placing the chicken in the brine. Placing chicken in warm brine raises the uncooked meat’s temperature and puts it in a range conducive to bacterial growth. Once the brine cools off, then you can fully submerge the bird or the cuts.
chicken wing brine recipe
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Easy Brined Chicken Wings

Chicken Wing Brine Recipe to Prep Your Wings For Juicy and Tender Results
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Chicken Wing Brine, Chicken Wings, Grilled Wings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Brining Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 lbs of chicken wings
Calories 10kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Plastic freezer bags or equivalent

Ingredients

  • 1 gal warm water
  • 3/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1 lemon
  • 2/3 cup cane sugar
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

  • Pour the gallon of warm water into a large pot, ideally the pot has a capacity of at least two gallons.
  • Add all other ingredients to the pot and stir thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Once the brine mixture is uniform and salt and sugar have completely dissolved, turn off your heat source and allow brine to cool to room temperature.
  • Place chicken wings into plastic bags and fill each bag with enough brine to almost completely submerge the wings.
  • Place bags of chicken and brine in the refrigerator to marinate. Marinate for at least 4 hours.
  • When ready to cook, remove chicken from bags, and pat wings dry with a paper towel before cooking. Dispose of the used brine.

Nutrition

Calories: 10kcal

How Long Should I Brine the Chicken Wings?

The amount of time you should brine the chicken depends on what kind of chicken you have and whether it is skinless or skin-on. For bone-in wings, at least 4 hours is recommended. If you were to use this recipe with a whole chicken, 8 hours is the recommended mark.

You can actually keep the chicken brined much longer if you want. It is common to marinate a chicken for 12 full hours. We only recommend that you do not go past 24 hours of marination. Once you go past 24 hours, the chicken gets overly salty and will not cook as well. Also, the chicken might get too mushy and lose its tenderness.

Dry Brine

If you don’t want to make a wet brine, then you can make a dry brine instead. A dry brine is exactly the same as a wet brine except you just don’t add water. You can just directly apply the brine ingredients to the skin of the wings. Since there is direct contact, the ingredients will immediately be absorbed into the skin – so it’s a nice go to if you’re pinched for time.

To make a dry brine, combine all of the ingredients mentioned above into a bowl, leaving out the wet, liquid ingredients. Mix until it is even and homogeneous.

Then apply the dry mixture evenly to the chicken wings and keep the bird in the fridge. Like the wet brine, you only need to apply the brine for a few hours to have tender marinated chicken.

Once the brine is marinated, rinse off the mixture with water and pat dry before cooking. The dry brine method is probably faster, easier, and creates less of a mess but it will result in a crispier skin because there is no liquid to submerge the chicken in.

Liquid brine, in contrast, makes the chicken more favorable because the liquid is absorbed more readily by the chicken.

Brining and Frying

If you want to fry chicken wings, then it is recommended that you brine it first. You can actually make an excellent brine out of buttermilk that is perfectly suited for frying. Brining chicken before you fry it ensures that the moisture is locked into the meat so you have that crispy, golden friend outer later and tender warm, juicy chicken in the middle.

Final Thoughts

There you have it!  Chicken wing brine can make all the difference when it comes to getting those tasty and tender wings we all love so much.  Start out with our recipe then don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavors and ideas!

What is your favorite way to brine chicken wings?  We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.

Check out our guide to reheating chicken wings next for more info on how to get the most out of your brined chicken wing leftovers!

The post Chicken Wing Brine Recipe appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Perfectly Smoked Pork Loin + Flavor Packed Marinade https://ownthegrill.com/smoked-pork-loin/ Sat, 03 Jun 2023 12:11:14 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=10532 Are you looking to cook the perfect pork loin.? To me, creating […]

The post Perfectly Smoked Pork Loin + Flavor Packed Marinade appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Are you looking to cook the perfect pork loin.? To me, creating a perfectly smoked pork loin comes down to a flavor-packed marinade and smoking technique.

We created this recipe not only to enjoy, but to help you choose the correct pork cut, proper storing and reheating, and the best side dish to go with your meat.

Here’s what we will cover:

Understanding Pork Loin vs. Pork Tenderloin

 

pork loin pork tenderloin

 

Pork loins are a larger cut of meat that comes from the back of the pig. Sold as bone-in or boneless, you can cut and cook a few different ways. Cut up into pork chops, roast it in the oven or you guessed it – smoke it!

Pork tenderloins are smaller and leaner cuts located inside the ribcage. It cooks quickly making it great for grilling, roasting, or stir-frying.

You can essentially smoke both for a delicious smoked pork recipe and our smoked pork tenderloin is equally as yummy.

To smoke a pork loin perfectly, look for a cut of meat with visible marbling. Choose whether you want to work with a bone-in or a boneless pork loin. They’re both great to smoke. I feel the bone-in gives a bit more tenderness and flavor to the meat, but if you’re serving for a large crowd then boneless is definitely easier to work with and slice up.

Plan for approximately 8 ounces per person when serving.

Smoking Your Pork Loin: Techniques and Tips

For an amazing smoky taste, here are our techniques and tips for preparing the smoked loin. Start by trimming off any excess fat or silver skin from the meat. If it has a fat cap then leave it intact but score in a 1/4″ crisscross pattern before adding oil to coat. Rub the dry rub on all sides. Refrigerate for at least three hours to one day prior to cooking to ensure top flavor results when placed on your smoker.

Ideal Smoking Temperature and Time

The ideal temperature while smoking your pork loin should be 225°F until the internal thermometer reads 145°F, so have your meat thermometer on hand! The estimated time spent per pound of meat for this temperature is 30 -40 minutes. To really add that extra depth we advise using oak, pecan, cherry, or apple wood pellets or wood chips which create wonderful smokey notes throughout. Choosing to use a pellet smoker or wood-burning grill comes down to preference

Essential Ingredients for Smoked Pork Loin

dry rub for smoking pork loin
dry rub

Now that we have chosen the perfect pork loin cut and techniques to prepare, let’s talk about the best pork loin rub. If we’re talking store-bought or premade smoked pork loin rub then Snake River has you covered. If you’re looking to get creative to work with ingredients you have on hand then we have a great go-to rub below.

Creating a Flavorful Marinade

To increase taste as it smokes on the grill or smoker, make sure to allow the smoked pork marinade to sit in the refrigerator for 3 hours or preferably longer in the juice rub is recommended.

It is important to score the fat cap of the loin in a cross-hatch pattern before applying any spices or condiments, around a quarter inch deep so that all flavors will be fully absorbed.

Smoked Pork Rub (for every 2-3 lbs)

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred level of spiciness)

Enhancing Your Smoked Pork Loin

stuffed pork loin
stuffed pork loin

There are many ways to kick it up a notch when smoking pork loin. Here are a few of our favorite add-ons:

Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

For an even more delicious smoked pork loin, why not wrap it in bacon and glaze it with an amazing maple-bourbon combination for extra flavor? The bacon not only adds a smoky and savory flavor to the pork loin but also helps to retain moisture during the smoking process, preventing the meat from drying out.

How to wrap bacon on pork Loin

Make sure to use the seasoning rub and marinate the pork prior to wrapping. Try to use thin slices of bacon when wrapping to help evenly cook throughout. Bacon wrapped smoked pork loin roast may seriously be my favorite thing!

Stuffed Pork Loin

To stuff the loin roast your options are endless. Here are a few tips:

  • Slice

    Make sure to use a sharp knife and cut down the center lengthwise. It’s important that you don’t cut fully through. Just enough so that you can separate to put your stuffing in.

  • Stuff

    Spread your chosen filling evenly along the length of the pork loin, ensuring it fills the cavity created by the slit. Be generous with the filling, but avoid overstuffing, as it may make it challenging to roll and secure the pork loin.

  • Secure

    Carefully roll the pork loin back into its original shape, encasing the filling inside. Use kitchen twine to secure. Tie the twine at intervals along the length of the loin to prevent the filling from escaping.

  • Season & Smoke

    Season the loin with your preferred dry rub or seasoning, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Allow the smoked pork loin marinade to sit for at least 3 plus hours. Smoke the pork loin until it reaches the recommended internal temperature for doneness (145°F/63°C for medium-rare or 160°F/71°C for medium).

Popular Pork Loin Stuffing
  • Apple and Sage: Sliced apples, sautéed with onions and seasoned with fresh or dried sage.
  • Mushroom and Swiss cheese: Sautéed mushrooms with Swiss cheese.
  • Cranberry and walnut: Dried cranberries and chopped walnuts, sweetened with a touch of honey or maple syrup.

Properly Storing and Reheating Smoked Pork Loin

After enjoying your smoked pork, allow your leftover smoked pork loin to cool off before wrapping in plastic or placing it into a storage container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or use freezer-safe vacuum seal bags for up to 6 months of cold storage.

For reheating instructions you can either use an oven/grill combination if time allows. Put the smoked pork inside a covered dish with just two tablespoons of water as this will help keep the roast moist while heating at 350°F (177°C) for 15-20 minutes. You can also use the same technique and microwave if you’re pressed for time. Make sure to check on the pork about every 45 seconds until it’s heated through.

Complementary Side Dishes for Smoked Pork Loin

side dish

 

You can serve some great sides of BBQ favorites like coleslaw and baked beans. Whip up yummy sweet potatoes or other unique potato recipes. If you’re looking to keep your side light and delish you, can opt for a side vegan salad.

Additional Smoked Pork Recipes to Try

Once you’ve got the hang of making smoked pork loin, why not try out other variations? Pulled pork barbecue or Boston butt and smokey burnt ends made with a cut from the belly are all fair game. See what kind of results different brines, seasoning rubs or recipes can bring about!

Remember to make sure your thermometer is always on hand while working with meat so that its internal temperature stays within safe limits – plus don’t forget which wood chips will add just the right touch for desired flavors.

Summary

  • Understand the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin for your smoking preferences.
  • Choose the right cut of pork loin and explore flavorful marinades to enhance the smoky taste.
  • Learn smoking techniques, including wrapping in bacon or stuffing the loin for added flavors.
  • Discover ideal side dishes, proper storage, and reheating techniques.

bacon wrapped pork loin
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Smoked Pork Loin

Course Main Course
Cuisine BBQ
Keyword pork loin, smoked pork loin, smoking pork loin
Prep Time 10 minutes
3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6
Author Jenna Hansen

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds Pork Loin
  • 1 pack bacon slices optional if wrapping - see notes

Dry Rub Ingregients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to your preferred level of spiciness

Instructions

  • Start by combining all the herbs together to create a dry rub for the pork loin.
  • Rub the dry rub mixture all over the pork loin, ensuring it's evenly coated. Allow the pork loin to marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours or more.
  • Preheat your smoker to a temperature of around 225.
  • Place the marinated pork loin directly on the smoker rack, fat side up.
  • Close the smoker and let the pork loin smoke for approximately 2 1/2 - 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
  • Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the pork loin from the smoker and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
  • Slice the smoked pork loin into thin, pieces and serve.

Notes

If you want to add wrap the pork loin in bacon:
Once the pork loin has marinated in the rub for 3+ hours, wrap the slices of bacon around and then continue with the directions above to place the meat on the smoker.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to smoke pork loin at 225?

We recommend about 35 minutes per pound of pork loin when it’s being smoked at 225°F or until its internal temperature reaches 145°F. Allow the loin to rest after the cooking process to reach the proper temperature and lock the juices in.

How do you keep pork loin from drying out when smoking?

Try not to overcook a smoked pork loin to keep it from drying out. Aim for an internal temperature of 145°F for medium-rare or 160°F for medium doneness. Remember to allow the loin to rest. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to lock in all the flavor and moisture.

Should I smoke pork loin at 225 or 250?

To ensure the pork loin has juice and flavor, smoke low and slow. We recommend smoking at 225°F

How long to smoke a 4-pound pork loin at 225 degrees?

Smoking a 4-pound pork loin should take about 2 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature of 145°F for medium-rare or 160°F for medium doneness.

The post Perfectly Smoked Pork Loin + Flavor Packed Marinade appeared first on Own The Grill.

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How To Thicken BBQ Sauce [6 Ways] https://ownthegrill.com/how-to-thicken-bbq-sauce/ Thu, 19 May 2022 13:35:32 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=9119 Whether it be store-bought bbq sauce or homemade, no grilling afternoon or […]

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Whether it be store-bought bbq sauce or homemade, no grilling afternoon or BBQ party is complete without the best BBQ sauce.

In fact, it could be argued that the sticky consistency and sweet-spicy flavors of the BBQ sauce are almost as important as the meat itself.

Any BBQ lover will know that BBQ sauce is the go-to choice, as it goes with everything. Whether it be burgers, ribs, or fries, a good BBQ sauce goes beautifully.

However, if your BBQ sauce isn’t perfect, you and your guests might finish your food feeling disappointed.

One big problem we can encounter with BBQ sauce is poor consistency. If the sauce is too watery or not thick enough, it can be like pouring spiced water on your food.

Luckily for you, we have the answers for any time you encounter this problem. In this post, we have detailed the best and easiest ways to thicken BBQ sauce in times of emergency.

If your sauce has gone wrong, make sure you check out our list and follow the simple steps!

The Best Ways To Thicken BBQ Sauce

Add Some Flour To The Sauce

If you’re looking for the quickest, most hassle-free way to thicken your BBQ sauce, you should start by adding some flour before giving it a good stir.

Store Bought flours are usually white and tasteless, so you don’t need to worry about them affecting anything other than the texture of the sauce.

As you add flour to the sauce, it will start to absorb the sauce’s liquid, thickening the sauce in the process.

The speed at which flour absorbs the sauce is why it is such a good choice when it comes to thickening BBQ sauce. You will see changes to your sauce in a matter of seconds without having to change any of the sauce’s flavors.

To add the flour to your sauce, follow these steps:

  • For every cup of sauce you need to thicken, get 2 tbsp of flour and ¼ cup of water.
  • In a bowl, combine the water and flour and give it a really good mix.
  • Now, this is done, heat your BBQ sauce in a small saucepan. Do this on medium heat.
  • Once the sauce is simmering, add the flour and water mixture to the sauce.
  • Stir the sauce consistently for 1 to 2 minutes, or until your sauce has reached its desired thickness.

Use Cornstarch To Thicken Your BBQ Sauce

While flour is probably the most convenient ingredient to use when thickening your BBQ sauce, if you happen to have cornstarch in the house, you’ll be better off using that.

This is definitely the case if you’re planning on smothering a rack of ribs with your BBQ sauce.

In reality, cornstarch works better with meats like ribs as it gives the meat that lovely glossy sheen we strive to achieve, but never seem to perfect.

The only downside to cornstarch is that unlike flour, it can occasionally break down when mixed with ingredients in some BBQ sauces. An example of this would be tomatoes.

For each cup of BBQ sauce, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water. You can then mix it with your BBQ sauce until it has reached the desired consistency, as you can do with the flour.

It is worth noting that with cornstarch and flour, you don’t have to simmer the sauce. You can just mix it straightaway. However, we have found that the best results can be achieved when the sauce is simmering.

Reduce The BBQ Sauce

How To Thicken BBQ Sauce

Another very simple way in which you can thicken your BBQ sauce is by using a saucepan to reduce the sauce over your stove. The beauty of this method is that all you need is your sauce, a saucepan, and heat.

Instead of adding ingredients to the sauce, this method involves removing them. The aim of reducing the sauce is to simply remove the excess vinegar and water from the sauce. During this process, the sauce will thicken.

All you need to do to reduce the sauce is heat it up in a saucepan with the heat turned too low. As the sauce begins to heat up, you should stir continuously.

You can then start to bring the temperature up a little more, being careful not to boil the sauce. Doing this correctly will ensure the excess water from the sauce evaporates.

The more the water evaporates, the thicker your sauce will get. You should note that the water from the sauce will continue to evaporate for a minute or two after the sauce has been removed from the heat.

Therefore, you should stop heating the sauce as it approaches the consistency you’re after. Then smother it on your smoked meats and enjoy!

Alternative Methods To Thicken BBQ Sauce

Butter

If you’re running low on options and time, you could always use some butter to thicken your BBQ sauce.

This may seem like an odd choice, but butter does have very good thickener properties. Interestingly, it can also add a nice creamy flavor to the sauce.

When using butter to thicken your BBQ sauce, you should only add it a little at a time. You can then stir the butter in and see the result before deciding whether you need more or not.

It is important to only use organic, grass-fed butter when using this method. Avoid using margarine if you can.

Tomato Purée

Another great way to quickly thicken your BBQ sauce is to add a dash of tomato purée. Tomato purée adds a level of fiber to any sauce, so it is well worth adding some to your BBQ sauce.

While it might not work as well as the other methods we have discussed in this post, it will add some extra nutritional value to the sauce too.

Tomato purée is also a good choice because it also already has a similar flavor profile to BBQ sauce. Therefore, the flavor of your BBQ sauce shouldn’t change much at all.

Coconut Oil

The final method to thicken BBQ sauce on our list may seem absolutely crazy, but it could be your go-to option if you have limited supplies or follow a vegan diet.

There isn’t too much to say about adding coconut oil to your BBQ sauce other than that it demonstrates properties that will thicken BBQ sauce. Like some other thickeners on our list, you should only add coconut oil in small amounts.

By adding the oil in small amounts, you can give the sauce a good stir first before then deciding if it needs to be thicker or not.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, thickening your BBQ sauce doesn’t need to be difficult. In this post, we have talked you through 6 different ways you can thicken your sauce in no time at all.

In all truth, some are better than others, but if time is against you, and you’re running low on ingredients, other methods can come in very useful.

Using the best BBQ sauce with your barbecued or grilled food is a must. Without that beautifully sticky, sweet sauce, our BBQ parties just aren’t the same.

Hopefully, now you have these methods at your disposal, you can quickly and effectively thicken your BBQ sauce so that it won’t be as watery or thin, keeping your guests super happy in the process.

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Keto Friendly BBQ Sauce Recipe https://ownthegrill.com/keto-friendly-bbq-sauce-recipe/ Thu, 19 Jan 2023 21:02:33 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=9726 So you’re looking for a keto friendly BBQ sauce and that traditional […]

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So you’re looking for a keto friendly BBQ sauce and that traditional BBQ sauce with high sugar and carbohydrate levels just won’t do the trick.

We’ve created a tasty keto friendly sauce that’s perfect on whatever you’re having on your BBQ.

This sauce can be useful for people who are looking for low carb options in general, for example, people with diabetes, people who are trying to lose weight, people who are trying to maintain a healthy diet and people who are just watching their carb intake.

Why Keto Friendly BBQ Sauce?

If you’re following the ketogenic diet, you know that it’s a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that aims to put the body into a state of ketosis. In this state, the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.

Because traditional BBQ sauce is high in sugar and carbohydrates, it is not suitable for someone following the ketogenic diet.

A keto-friendly BBQ sauce like the one in our recipe below allows people on the keto diet to enjoy the taste of BBQ sauce without having to worry about consuming too many carbs. The use of keto-friendly sweeteners like Swerve allows for a sweet taste without the carbs, and the other ingredients in the recipe are also low in carbs, making it an ideal choice!

What Makes Our Keto Friendly Recipe So Good?

This recipe is considered keto-friendly because it is low in carbs. The main source of carbohydrates in traditional BBQ sauce is sugar, but in this recipe, it has been replaced with a keto-friendly sweetener called Swerve.

Swerve is a sugar replacement that is made from natural ingredients and does not affect blood sugar levels. Additionally, the tomato sauce and apple cider vinegar used in the recipe are also low in carbohydrates and provide a tangy and savory base for the sauce.

The rest of the ingredients such as garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper are all considered keto-friendly as they are low in carbohydrates and provide a lot of flavor to the sauce.  In fact, these ingredients can be found in many tasty traditional BBQ sauces!

The net carbs per serving would be less than 5g per serving of 2 tablespoons.

What To Pair This Sauce With

Honestly, you can pair this sauce with just about anything you’d normally eat at your BBQ.

Pork, chicken, and beef mains that are cooked on the grill are all nice choices for pairing and can be high in protein and healthy fats.

Veggie sides and some keto friendly casseroles can also be a nice pairing with this sauce!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Swerve or other keto-friendly sweetener
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

How To Make The Sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients.  You can throw them in there all at once!  Although I personally find it easier to place the spices in a bowl and add those after you’ve combined your tomato sauce, vinegar, Swerve, garlic, Worcestershire, and mustard.

Next bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally with a whisk.

Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until sauce has thickened to your liking.

Take it off the heat and let it cool down.  Once cooled, use your keto friendly BBQ sauce to baste your meats and veggies on the grill for a lip-smackin’ good time!

Note: this recipe makes about 2 cups of sauce and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Enjoy!

Print

Homemade Keto Friendly BBQ Sauce

Here's a recipe for a keto-friendly BBQ sauce that'll make yer taste buds sing.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, BBQ
Keyword BBQ Sauce, Keto Friendly
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup Swerve or other keto friendly sweetner
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, Swerve, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and combine.
  • Bring sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
  • Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until sauce has thickened to your liking.
  • Take it off the heat and let it cool down.
  • Use it to baste your meats and veggies on the grill for a lip-smackin' good time!
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Note: this recipe makes about 2 cups of sauce and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.

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Mop Sauce For Ribs https://ownthegrill.com/mop-sauce-for-ribs/ Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:42:55 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=10046 Whether you’re looking to add some extra flavor to your ribs or […]

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Whether you’re looking to add some extra flavor to your ribs or simply want to try something new, a good old fashioned mop sauce is a great option. This versatile sauce can be used on pork, chicken, or beef, and is perfect for those who like a little spice in their food. Best of all, it’s easy to make!

Here we’ll share our favorite mop sauce for ribs.  Read on for a little background or jump straight to the recipe below.

What Is Mop Sauce?

Mop sauce is a type of barbecue sauce that has its roots in the American South. It’s made with vinegar, spices, and other ingredients like Worcestershire sauce or hot pepper flakes. The name comes from the method of “mopping” it onto meat while cooking to keep it moist and add flavor. Mop sauce is an ideal way to add a unique twist to your favorite ribs recipe.

Mop sauces are typically thin and runny compared to thicker barbeque sauces you might be used to seeing on store shelves. This allows them to penetrate into the meat more easily as they cook, giving your ribs an intense flavor that won’t overpower their natural taste. Because mop sauces don’t contain any sugar or artificial sweeteners, they can also help reduce the amount of fat in your rib recipes without sacrificing taste. You can customize this versatile sauce by adjusting heat levels with various peppers or adding sweetness with honey or molasses – perfect for those who want a little bit of kick in their meals!

The combination of tangy acidity from vinegar, saltiness from Worcestershire Sauce, umami flavors from tomato paste and soy sauce (if using), plus spicy notes from chili powder make mop sauce a truly unique and delicious condiment that you can use in all kinds of recipes.

Which Type Of Ribs Are Best For Mop Sauce?

Mop sauce is perfect for all types of ribs, including pork spareribs, baby back ribs, and even beef short ribs.

The thin consistency allows it to penetrate deeply into the meat as it cooks and infuse flavor from the inside out. Depending on how much you use, mop sauce can be a great way to add extra moisture to ribs that have been cooked for too long.

What Goes In Mop Sauce

Here’s a quick list of the ingredients we like to use in our mop sauce:

  • olive oil
  • apple cider vinegar
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • garlic
  • ground mustard powder
  • tomato paste
  • soy sauce
  • chili powder
  • cayenne pepper
  • salt
  • black pepper

You may notice that many of these ingredients are commonly found in BBQ sauces, and you’d be correct! The idea isn’t t0 reinvent the wheel with the mop sauce – it’s to create an incredibly tasty compliment that is perfectly tailored for ribs!

How To Make The Sauce

The good news is that the sauce is incredibly easy to make after you get all of your ingredients measured.

All you need to do is combine all of the ingredients, except for the salt and pepper, into a skillet or small pot and heat over medium heat.

From there, whisk until completely combined and keep heating the sauce until it reaches a simmer.

Keep it simmering for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Once the sauce has simmered, remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.  You can also make it in advance and store it in the fridge overnight!

Now it’s ready to mop onto those ribs!  Lather on a layer of sauce to your ribs before they go on the grill or on the smoker.  Then continue to brush a layer on every 20 or so minutes until a nice thick caramelized outer layer forms.  You can even save a little bit for dunking your ribs once they’re served!

Final Thoughts

There you have it – a simple and delicious recipe for mop sauce for ribs that’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends! With its bold flavors and unique taste, this sauce is perfect for giving your ribs a flavorful kick. Enjoy!

Have a different way you like to make a mop sauce?  Let us know about it in the comments section below.

Print

Mop Sauce for Ribs

A simple and delicious recipe for mop sauce for ribs that's sure to be a hit with your family and friends!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, BBQ
Keyword BBQ Sauce, Beef Ribs, Mop Sauce
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 rib racks

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground mustard powder
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne powder optional, add more for more spice
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, mustard powder, tomato paste, soy sauce, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the mop sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room t emperature.
  • Brush the mop sauce generously onto your ribs.
  • Continue to brush sauce onto your ribs as they cook, every 30 minutes or so.
  • Enjoy!

The post Mop Sauce For Ribs appeared first on Own The Grill.

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The Best Homemade Seasoning For Beef Ribs https://ownthegrill.com/beef-ribs-seasoning/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:21:00 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=10061 Beef ribs are a delicious and versatile cut of beef that can […]

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Beef ribs are a delicious and versatile cut of beef that can be used in a variety of recipes. While beef ribs require some extra cooking time, the end result is worth it! For a beef rib recipe with an extra flavor boost, try our beef ribs seasoning recipe.

The best news is making a homemade seasoning for beef ribs is incredibly easy, assuming you have a few staple spices in your pantry.

What Goes In Beef Rib Seasoning?

Before you begin, make sure to gather all the ingredients you need. The beef ribs seasoning recipe requires garlic powder, smoked paprika,  black pepper and sea salt. If you have additional ingredients or spices that you’d like to add, now is the time to do so!

How To Make Seasoning For Beef Ribs

Once you have all the ingredients on hand, it’s time to get cooking. Start by combining garlic powder, paprika, black pepper and sea salt in a bowl.  At this point, the seasoning itself is basically done and ready to use.

Feel free to adjust the measurements of each ingredient according to your taste preferences. Mix everything together until fully combined and store in an airtight container.

The Best Way To Apply The Seasoning To Your Ribs

We are proponents of applying a thin layer of olive oil to the outside of your ribs before applying your rub.

The idea here isn’t to drown your meat with oil, it’s simply to get a thin layer evenly distributed across the meat so that your rub will stick when you apply it.

If you were to apply the rub directly to the meat, you might run the risk of losing some of your rub – which can tend to fall off when you’re handling the meat.

Olive oil isn’t the only way to go!  Another option is your favorite hot sauce or potentially even a mixture of hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

No matter which route you go, just be sure to apply something that will make your rub stick a little bit better.

Last but not least, you should let your rubbed beef rest for at least 45 minutes, ideally a couple of hours, before you place it on the smoker.

This means that you will need to coat the beef ribs with the seasoning mix and then let it sit for a period of time before cooking. This allows the flavors of the beef ribs seasoning to really sink in and do their job!

What Else Can This Seasoning Be Used For?

Beef ribs seasoning is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of beef recipes, not just ribs.It’s also great on other BBQ staples like brisket.  After all, the flavor profile of beef ribs and brisket (especially the fatty side of a brisket) are quite similar to one another.  So this recipe makes for an excellent brisket rub.

If you have some leftover, you can also consider using it on lighter meats like chicken and pork.  While this rub might bring strong flavor to these meats, it still definitely works and will provide some traditional BBQ flavor to your meat.

Last but not least, this rub works well with other types of ribs like pork ribs.  Again, this rub is designed for beef so it’s a little stronger than your average pork rub, but it will still taste great!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoy our beef ribs seasoning recipe! This easy-to-make blend of spices is sure to give any beef rib recipe an extra flavor boost. If you’re looking for more delicious beef rib recipes, be sure to check out our website. Happy cooking!

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Beef Rib Seasoning

This easy-to-make blend of spices is sure to give any beef rib recipe an extra flavor boost.
Course Main Course
Cuisine BBQ
Keyword BBQ, BBQ Rub, Beef Ribs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 rack of ribs

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1.5 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine ingredients thoroughly in a bowl
  • Coat your beef rib rack with a thin layer of olive oil
  • Generously rub your beef ribs with the seasoning mixture. Be sure to apply it evenly
  • Allow the seasoned beef to rest for 45 minutes to an hour before cooking on the smoker

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Oregano vs Mexican Oregano – What’s the Difference? https://ownthegrill.com/oregano-vs-mexican-oregano/ Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:16:09 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=10275 When it comes to cooking with herbs, few are as versatile and […]

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When it comes to cooking with herbs, few are as versatile and widely used as oregano. But did you know that there are actually two different types of oregano?

While the most commonly used type is the Mediterranean oregano that’s found in most grocery stores, there’s also a variety known as Mexican oregano that’s used extensively in Latin American and Tex-Mex cuisine.

In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between these two types of oregano, and share some tips on how to use each one to enhance your cooking.

Similarities between Oregano and Mexican Oregano

At their core, both Mediterranean and Mexican oregano are herbs that come from the same family of plants, Lamiaceae. Both types of oregano have a pungent, slightly bitter flavor that’s often described as being slightly minty or citrusy.

Both types of oregano also have a long history of use in traditional medicine, with various cultures using them to treat everything from respiratory ailments to digestive issues.

Differences between Oregano and Mexican Oregano

While there are many similarities between the two types of oregano, there are also some key differences that set them apart. One of the most notable differences is in their flavor profiles. While Mediterranean oregano is known for its slightly bitter and citrusy flavor, Mexican oregano has a more complex flavor that’s often described as being earthy, spicy, and slightly floral.

This is due in part to the fact that Mexican oregano is actually a different species of plant than Mediterranean oregano, and has a slightly different chemical makeup.

Another key difference between the two types of oregano is in the way they’re used in cooking. While Mediterranean oregano is a staple of many classic Italian and Greek dishes, Mexican oregano is most often used in Latin American and Tex-Mex cuisine.

Mexican oregano is often used to add flavor and complexity to dishes like chili, salsa, and mole, while Mediterranean oregano is more commonly used to flavor tomato-based sauces, meats, and vegetables.

Tips for Cooking with Oregano and Mexican Oregano

Whether you’re using Mediterranean or Mexican oregano in your cooking, there are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of these flavorful herbs.

When using Mediterranean oregano, it’s important to remember that a little goes a long way. This herb can quickly overpower other flavors in a dish, so it’s best to use it sparingly. Mediterranean oregano is often used to add depth and complexity to tomato-based sauces, and can also be used to flavor meats, vegetables, and breads.

When using Mexican oregano, it’s important to choose high-quality, fresh herbs. Mexican oregano is often sold in dried form, and can lose its flavor over time if not stored properly. To get the most out of your Mexican oregano, look for herbs that are fresh and fragrant, and store them in an airtight container away from heat and light.

Mexican oregano is also a great herb to use when making spice blends like chili powder or taco seasoning. It pairs well with other spicy and earthy flavors, and can help to create a complex and nuanced blend of spices that will take your dishes to the next level.

Final Thoughts

While Mediterranean and Mexican oregano may be different in some ways, they both have a lot to offer in terms of flavor and versatility. Whether you’re making a classic Italian pasta sauce or a spicy Mexican salsa, these two herbs can add depth, complexity, and flavor to your dishes.

So the next time you’re cooking with oregano, consider experimenting with both types to discover all the amazing ways these herbs can enhance your cooking and take your dishes to the next level.

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