Turbinado VS. Brown Sugar

JONESY · Mar 1, 2011

So about a year and a half ago, I started using Turbinado sugar instead of brown sugar in all my rubs. I think it has a higher melting point and won’t caramelize as easily as brown sugar, but other than that I can’t remember why I made the switch. In all actuality, I’m not sure it has mad my rubs any better or worse for that matter, but I wonder if I’m missing some flavor from the brown sugar.

I would love to know what you guys are using, any input would be great.

spicewine · Mar 1, 2011

Turbinado very slow to break down. Better for long cook meats. Not so good for short cook meats. It does create a real nice bark when allowed to properly set up. I don't use it in my rubs, rather I apply it after the rub is applied.

Q-Dat · Mar 1, 2011

I think you lose a little of the molasses that brown sugar has, but its not a huge difference. If you cook hotter I would stick with Turbinado.

big brother smoke · Mar 1, 2011

spicewine said:
Turbinado very slow to break down. Better for long cook meats. Not so good for short cook meats. It does create a real nice bark when allowed to properly set up. I don't use it in my rubs, rather I apply it after the rub is applied.

Quite true :thumb:

Big Mike's BBQ · Mar 1, 2011

spicewine said:
Turbinado very slow to break down. Better for long cook meats. Not so good for short cook meats. It does create a real nice bark when allowed to properly set up. I don't use it in my rubs, rather I apply it after the rub is applied.

Just curious about what you define as short cook meats and long cook meats. I know brisket and butts are long cook meats, but what about ribs? I would not use turbinado sugar on chicken, but I am thinking about using it on ribs is why I am asking.

Big Mike

Wampus · Mar 1, 2011

As far as I know, brown sugar is basically only sugar with molasses, so you're really only "missing" out on the molasses flavor. However, raw sugar is inrefined and does have a little different flavor.

I do know it won't burn as quickly as brown sugar, so if you're doing a higher heat cook, that's when I'd go with raw sugar over brown sugar.

At least that's how I see it.:becky:

El Lobo · Mar 1, 2011

The only thing I'd miss is the deep color of dark brown sugar versus turbinado.

Bamabuzzard · Mar 1, 2011

I started mixing brown sugar and turbinado in my rub together and have been more than pleased with the results. I smoke my ribs at temps ranging from 240-250 degrees for 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 hours.

I was getting frustrated because parts of my brown sugar seemed to be burning yet my ribs weren't as tender as I'd liked them. So after reading on this board that turbinado sugar had a higher burn point I started mixing in a cup of it in my regular rub recipe and haven't had the problem since.

It seems the turbinado sugar "protects" the brown sugar from burning. The turbinado sugar is larger in "grain size". I like the crust I get from the combination as well.

noe.a.gonzalez · Mar 1, 2011

Learn something new everyday. I was using turbinado sugar only because it didn't lump up and was in a lot of recipes I saw online.

spicewine · Mar 1, 2011

Big Mike's BBQ said:
Just curious about what you define as short cook meats and long cook meats. I know brisket and butts are long cook meats, but what about ribs? I would not use turbinado sugar on chicken, but I am thinking about using it on ribs is why I am asking.

Big Mike

I was refering to ribs as a short cook meat. I would reccomend brown sugar and not Turbinado on ribs. If you do use turbinado on ribs, you might find that when the ribs are done, the turbinado is still in a chrystaline state. Not really good to bite into IMHO.

wormdrink67 · Mar 1, 2011

I have a tendency to use a lot of smoked paprika in the rub on my ribs, when combined with the brown sugar, they have been turning out a little too dark, would the turbinado help lighten the color? Assuming I can get it to set....

El Ropo · Mar 1, 2011

I use turbinado sugar in my rubs a lot, and always grind it down in my spare coffee grinder (at its coarsest setting). The past few rubs I've made through the coffee grinder have been finger lickin good IMO. Many others who tasted the end result agreed.

I prefer to get all ingredients in the rub about the same size, so they stick to the meat better, and form a nice crust earlier in the cooking process (hopefully).

Alan in Ga · Mar 1, 2011

We mix the two in our rub also and dry the brown sugar with a short stint in the oven and we love the results

codger · Mar 1, 2011

Learning from this thread, thanks for the info.

drapersbbq · Mar 1, 2011

We use a blend of turbinado and brown sugar in our rub with the split between the two being about 65 percent turbinado. We also grind the turbinado in our rubs.

bbqchicken · Nov 13, 2011

I never heard of turbinado sugar. I need to give this a try.

Brizz · Nov 13, 2011

I use a 50/50 split in all my rubs. I agree that they assist each other for long and short smokes. From what I understand, because turbinado is unrefined it shares many of the same flavor profiles as brown. I've also found humidity helps to break down turbinado on short smokes – foiling or spraying.

buccaneer · Nov 13, 2011

I don't use sugar.
I like the taste of MEAT!

:becky:

Turbinado VS. Brown Sugar

JONESY

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spicewine

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Q-Dat

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big brother smoke

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Big Mike's BBQ

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Wampus

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El Lobo

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Bamabuzzard

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noe.a.gonzalez

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spicewine

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wormdrink67

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El Ropo

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Alan in Ga

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codger

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drapersbbq

Found some matches.

bbqchicken

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Brizz

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buccaneer

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