Mexican style rub - ideas?

[Ken Grove]

I've been making primarily bbq style stuff for years, but have an interest in making some Mexican styled smoked meats - especially shredded pork and beef for tacos. The dry rubs I make have been somewhat generic - mostly chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, cumin, plus some other spices as I'm in the mood. I'm thinking this would easily transition to a Mexican flavor by simply eliminating the paprika and then play with what kind of chili powder I use until I find the right one. Thoughts? I have a hard to please crowd here - close enough to the border that everyone knows good Mexican food from gringo crap. I'll experiment once I get ideas and eventually post a recipe once I feel I have something special.

 

[Clint]

I only have 2 (I think) Mexican cookbooks but it's one of my favorites. Out of the ingredients you listed I'd only omit the brown sugar, add a little cilantro...but there are so many options.

I like peppers (jalapeno, pasilla, etc, as well as dried, & habanero), carrots, onions.

My 2 (I think) Mexican cookbooks are:

La cocina de la frontera: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1878610341/tvwb-20?tag=TVWB-20

and

The Best Mexican Recipes: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1936493977/tvwb-20?tag=TVWB-20

then of course there are all kinds of recipes posted here almost daily..... search Carne Asada (not what I was looking for but lots of good ideas here)

and here http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?53709-Baja-Shrimp-Cocktail-and-Shrimp-Tacos&highlight=ceviche

 

[Tony R]

I don't think there's a real Mexican style rub that you can buy.

But what I do know is that we like cumin and chili powder.
Of course your salt,pepper,onion and garlic.

 

[John Solak]

Fajita seasoning, taco seasoning and chili seasoning are the only ones I can think of at the moment. They make seasoning packs for birria, and menudo you could play around with too.

 

[JRAiona]

I agree with Clint's advice, omit the brown sugar. Other spices that would work in that flavor profile would be cumin, coriander, Ancho chili pepper.