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The weather is warm, the sun is out and it’s time to bring the cooking outside. Grilling season is here! With it comes the opportunity to experiment with a variety of sauces, marinades, slathers, and rubs to enhance the flavor of your favorite grilled meats and vegetables. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a novice cook, these flavor-packed additions can take your grilling game to the next level. Here’s a few of our favorite flavor boosters to help you make the most of your grilling season. So, fire up the grill and let’s get started!
DRY RUBS
Ah, spice rubs! Those magical dry blends of herbs, spices, and seasonings that form a flavorful crust on your meats, seafoods and veggies. I like their ease of use, just sprinkle over your food and slap on the grill! Here’s a few of our favorite spice rubs, certain to elevate your grilling to new heights.
Northwest BBQ Rub
By combining classic flavors of the Pacific Northwest, we’ve developed a unique take on barbeque. This rub is hereby, woodsy, and savory. Try it on pork ribs and serve with our Northwest BBQ Relish. It’s sure to become your new, summer cookout favorite!
Blackened Spice
This Cajun classic creates a beautiful crust for fried fish, grilled chicken, and seared steak. Use it as a base for smoked meats or add to other sauces and marinades for a flavor boost. We like to combine it with hot sauce and butter for a twist on traditional Buffalo wing sauce.
All-Purpose BBQ Rub
This is your basic, all-purpose rub. It’s perfect for low-and-slow smoked pork, smoky chicken thighs, grilled cauliflower steaks, you name it! Keep it simple or customize by adding your favorite spices.
MARINADES
Marinades are the secret to achieving tender, juicy, and succulent meats, especially with leaner or tougher cuts. From simple and elegant combinations to complex blends of herbs and spices, marinades infuse your proteins with flavor from the inside out.
Korean BBQ Marinade
This is a marinade traditionally used for beef bulgogi. It contains kiwi, used for its powerful meat-tenderizing enzymes. It can also be used with other thinly sliced meats, mushrooms, or tofu.
Mojo Marinade
“Mojo” comes from the Portuguese word meaning “sauce” and most often pertains to a tangy Cuban marinade made from lots of garlic and citrus. It is traditionally used as a braising liquid for slow-cooked pork shoulder – perfect for making Cubano sandwiches. It works equally well for marinating pork chops, shrimp, or chicken.
Tandoori Marinade
This marinade is fabulous on chicken and tofu. Simply rub it all over your protein and allow to marinate overnight before grilling! Or try it slathered over roasted cauliflower and broccoli. Activating the spices in oil and ghee is the secret to unlocking the best flavor.
Miso Marinade
This thick marinade is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It’s especially delicious on fattier fish such as salmon and black cod, but can also be used with tofu, chicken, and vegetables.
FINISHING SAUCES
Sauces and slathers, those versatile condiments that coat, complement, and enhance your grilled dishes. They’re the unsung heroes of grilling. Imagine your ribs glistening with a beautiful relish of blackberries and sweet onions, or your grilled vegetables shimmering with a bright lemony garlicy drizzle. Discover the art of balancing ingredients, unlocking the depths of flavor that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight.
Barbeque Sauce
Sweet, sticky, tangy and smoky, what would a barbecue be without a flavorful, messy sauce to brush on your ribs and chicken? Many sauce recipes require hours of slow simmering to achieve their best flavor. I say, skip all that work and grab one off the shelf! However, there’s so many terrific, bottled sauces out there it can be overwhelming to pick a favorite. After a thorough tasting of dozens of sauces, here’s a few of our favorites.
Chimichurri
This bright herbaceous condiment pairs well with steak, fish, potatoes, eggs, and sausage. Skip the food processor and chop everything by hand to achieve its chunky texture. Stirring in the olive oil at the end rather than blending everything together is also key to creating this beloved Argentinian staple.
Chermoula
Made from toasted spices, confit garlic, and plenty of lemon juice, you’ll be spooning this flavorful mixture on everything. Try it on grilled vegetables, roasted salmon, or for dunking your favorite flatbread.
Northwest BBQ Relish
Not your typical BBQ sauce, this delicious relish celebrates the flavors of the Pacific Northwest with berries, fresh herbs, and a touch of honey. Combine with our Northwest BBQ Rub to maximize flavor.
There are endless possibilities to create delicious and mouthwatering dishes with these simple and versatile recipes. Whether you prefer spicy, sweet, tangy, or smoky flavors, there’s something for everyone in this list. Make them ahead, have them ready, and don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your grilling. But most of all, get outside and enjoy the summer!