More than ever, you should make a marinade or rub a part of your wood grilling routine. Whether you’re using BBQ wood pellets or any other grilling fuel, rubs and marinades contribute to fuller flavor and more delectable texture. (You probably knew that!)
What’s the Difference?
Marinades are liquids that help tenderize the meat before you cook it, and infuse it with flavor, too. Marinades work best if you let the meat marinate for 30 minutes or longer, depending on the tenderness of the meat you’re cooking. Tender cuts of meat like chicken breasts won’t require long marinating times, but tougher cuts of meat like flank steak for tacos usually require longer marinating times. (Remember: sweet marinades with a lot of sugar in them can burn at high temperatures, so you’ll want to be cautious about following directions regarding heat level and cooking time.)
Rubs are a mix of spices and seasonings that contribute to the development of a delicious crust on the outside of your meat, but don’t aid in tenderizing it. Apply your rubs a few hours in advance and refrigerate the meat in plastic wrap for maximum flavor. During cooking, don’t move the meat around—just let it sit and get crusty as it hits your target degree of doneness.
Cooking Methods
Any dish in which you’d use a marinade or rub can make its way onto your wood pellet grill. Since wood pellet grills do so well across a range of cooking techniques—from smoking, braising, and barbecuing to high-temp grilling—your food is sure to come out with maximum flavor. If you’re using a wood pellet grill, even better, and here’s why.
Make your own Marinade or Rub
While the pros offer many rubs and marinades for sale online and at your local store, it’s ridiculously easy to make your own. Get creative. Better Homes & Gardens serves up some pretty wild marinades here: BHG Grilling Marinades. AllRecipes users have contributed and rated these zippy spice rubs: Spice rubs from AllRecipes.
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