Expert: Kris Yager - 11/17/2011

Question
QUESTION: I can never decide when cooking whether to marinade or dry rub meats. I feel like marinade makes the meat juicy but rubs give better flavor. Which is the best route in your opinion?

ANSWER: Thank you Jessica for your question. I can't really pick one over the other, as they are both wonderful techniques to prepare foods. For fun, let's identify what each one is and what they contribute to what your cooking.
Let's start with marinades. Marinades are typically an acid and a base. One of my favorites is a soy sauce/ pineapple mix. It is delicious with beef or chicken. Something to always think about with marinades is timing. Most marinades are quite effective overnight.
Dry rubs are typically salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. Rubs are great because they often impart texture into your food. When seared, the rub helps form a crispy crust.
So which one is the right one? It's a matter of opinion, for sure. I apologize if this isn't more helpful. I like them both very much!

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QUESTION: So is it possible to use both?

Answer
Absolutely! My favorite example of this is a treat I call "Cajun ribeye". I marinate ribeye steaks in a spicy blend of oils, salt, and jalapenos, and when I grill them I use a spicy rub. The pairing is out of this world!
Something to think about is that marinades can impart flavor into the meat more than rubs. Rubs can give you a texture characteristic and compliment the flavor of the meat. There is no right or wrong, especially if it's delicious!