Locations:
Search IconSearch

Dry Rubs: Cooking Tips + Simple Recipes

Jazz up your leaner meats and poultry

Two bowls of dry-rub spice blends on a wood table

When you’re cooking lean, healthy meats, a dry rub can fire up the flavor. Not to mention, it’s so easy to do!

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Coat the meat with a cooking spray and pat the meat with a dry rub of your choice. Loosely cover the meat with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours. Grill or cook the meat or poultry any way you like.

You can also make these rubs ahead of time and store them in your refrigerator. They’ll keep for months and be ready to go the next time you’re craving a flavorful dish.

Poultry rub

2 tablespoons dried orange zest
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt (optional)
1 tablespoon dried tarragon

Substitute dried thyme or ground bay leaves for the tarragon if desired. Coat the chicken or duck breast with olive oil cooking spray and pat with dry rub. Allow it to marinate for at least 10 minutes. Coat again. Grill, broil or saute over medium heat until done.

Mojo dry spice rub

1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon coriander seeds

Grind both seeds into a fine powder in a spice mill. Mix with black pepper, sugar and a dash of salt.

Asian spice blend

3 tablespoons five-spice powder
3 tablespoons hot paprika (or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Advertisement

Source: Cleveland Clinic Healthy Heart Lifestyle Guide and Cookbook (© 2007 Broadway Books).

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

A bright orange ceramic pot full of white bean stew with rosemary and spinach, with spoons and crock lid on table
December 5, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: White Bean Stew With Rosemary and Spinach

This hearty soup is full of nutrients and ready in 30 minutes

Ramekin of pumpkin pudding topped with walnuts
November 27, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Pudding With Walnuts

A delicious stovetop dessert fit for any season

Bowl of soba noodles with veggies and tofu, with chopsticks across top of bowl
November 14, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: Veggie Stir-Fry in Sweet Ginger Sauce

Vegan recipe with tofu and soba noodles

A plate of quinoa and apple salad, with mint leaves and almonds
November 5, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: Quinoa and Apple Salad With Almonds and Mint

Crunchy, hearty and sweet

Broccoli slaw chicken wraps wrapped in paper, tied with string on cooling rack on counter
October 29, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: Crunchy Coleslaw Flatbread Folds

A satisfyingly crunchy and easy-to-pull-together meal

Bowl of seasoned Asian noodles with salmon
October 22, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: Cold Asian Noodle Salad With Salmon

Cooling cucumber and spicy ginger add extra flavor to this Asian-inspired dish

Italian pasta with shrimp in bowl with fork, glass of lime water next to, on stone table
October 15, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: Italian Pasta With Shrimp

A delicious, high-protein entree

Ceramic serving dish with sweet potato mash with pecans on top, with wooden spoon
October 8, 2024/Recipes
Recipe: Light Sweet Potato Casserole

A delicious, sweet dish, minus the fat

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad