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Five easy BBQ rubs for summer

Add plenty of flavour to meat, fish or vegetables before barbecuing with these easy dry rubs. Combining just a few herbs and spices can transform your barbecue - choose between spicy, herby or citrus flavour combinations. With all these rubs, all you need to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl, rub into your chosen meat, fish or veg then grill until cooked through. Each recipe makes enough to marinate food for four people.

  1. Smoky

    Try a pinch of sea salt, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dark soft brown sugar and ½ tsp mustard powder for a smoky result. This rub is particularly good with pork or meaty aubergine.

    Smoky
  2. Tangy

    Mix together the finely grated zest of ½ a lemon, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves and a pinch of sea salt for a tangy citrus rub that works particularly well with chicken, fish and lamb.

    Tangy
  3. Piri piri

    Combine ¼ tsp ground cumin, the finely grated zest of ½ a lemon, a pinch of sea salt, 1 tsp crushed chillies, 1 tsp dried oregano and ½ tsp crushed garlic for a spicy Portuguese-inspired result. For a classic dish, try with chicken or rubbing over corn on the cob before grilling.

    Piri piri
  4. Aniseed

    In a dry frying pan, toast 1 tsp fennel seeds and 1 tsp coriander seeds until fragrant then lightly crush. Stir together along with ½ tsp crushed chillies and ½ tsp celery salt for a unique aniseed-scented rub. This is a great choice for vegetable or prawn skewers.

    Aniseed
  5. Spiced peppercorn

    As with the aniseed rub, toast and lightly crush 1 tsp rainbow peppercorns and ½ tsp Szechuan peppercorns. Combine with ½ tsp Chinese five spice for a colourful spiced rub that is robust enough to work with strong flavours such as beef kebabs or steaks.

    Spiced peppercorn