The Best Dry Rub Recipe
This is the best dry rub recipe – perfect for ribs, brisket or steak! It’s a must-make for all of your favorite cuts of meat.
This homemade dry rub recipe is a magical blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors that’ll make your taste buds sing! Featuring simple ingredients like paprika, brown sugar, garlic, and cumin, it’s the ultimate seasoning for all your meats.
This spice blend makes for the best ribs – spare ribs, pork ribs, baby back ribs, you name it! It is the secret ingredient in our baby back rib recipe – the dry spice rub is the best part and creates a flavor profile that is to die for!
It gives the baby backs the perfect balance of aromatic spices and sweet flavors, with a little kick.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
We also love to use this rub on our smoked brisket. Paired with our homemade barbecue sauce for basting and white sauce for dipping, your mind is sure to be blown!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This homemade rub is perfect for all cuts of meat, from ribs to chicken wings. It’s so easy to make, you don’t need any fancy ingredients, and it comes together in minutes. Not to mention, it’s cheaper and tastes way better than the generic rubs you find at grocery stores. Honestly, what’s not to love?
From backyard barbecues to fancy holiday dinners, this simple blend of spices is your ticket to flavor town. Whether you’re smoking a pork shoulder, grilling chicken breasts, or roasting pork chops, this rub adds that perfect smokey flavor with just a hint of sweetness.
Making your own rub isn’t just about flavor—it’s about creating a signature seasoning blend that fits your own taste. With everyday ingredients and no fillers, this recipe packs a lot of flavor into every bite. Plus, it makes a great gift for the grill masters in your life!
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The Best Dry Rub Recipe
Supplies
Ingredients
- Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create a nice crust when cooked.
- Salt – Enhances all the other flavors.
- Black pepper – Provides just a hint of sharpness.
- Paprika – Adds a mild smokiness and a touch of color.
- Garlic powder – Brings a savory depth to the mix.
- Onion powder – Complements the garlic for a balanced flavor.
- Cinnamon – Adds a subtle warmth to the rub.
- Cayenne pepper – Delivers a mild kick of heat.
Whatever you do, don’t change up the ingredients. I usually like to encourage experimenting with recipes but, trust me, this spice mix is too good to mess with!
Instructions
1. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together all of the ingredients.
Tip: Use a fork to break up any brown sugar clumps if needed.
2. Use the mixture to coat your favorite rack of ribs or cut of meat.
This recipe makes enough rub for two racks of ribs.
How to Use This Dry Rub
- Prepare the ribs by trimming off the thin membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Pat dry with paper towel.
- Dry rub ribs with the spice mixture, being sure to coat both sides.
- Place ribs on a grill grate to smoke or barbecue.
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce to coat the ribs.
- Cook until bone tender!
Making your own dry rub is sure to garner rave reviews from friends and family! A good dry rub is the key to making the most amazing ribs and smoked meat.
How to Store Dry Rub
Store this dry rub in an airtight container or mason jar and keep it in a dry place, like the pantry, until you are ready to use it. This will ensure a long shelf life.
Tips and Tricks
- Double or triple the recipe to keep a big batch ready for any grilling emergency. Trust me, you’ll use it!
- Always pat your meat dry with a paper towel before applying the rub for the best flavor.
- Let the rub sit on your meat for at least 30 minutes to let those spices do their thing.
- Get hands-on and rub it into every nook and cranny for maximum flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this dry rub on chicken?
Absolutely! It’s a wonderful way to flavor chicken wings, breasts, or even a whole chicken.
How long can I store this rub?
When kept in an airtight container at room temperature, it stays fresh for up to 6 months.
Can I turn this into a wet rub?
Yes! Just mix the rub with a little oil or barbecue sauce to create a paste for extra stickiness.
What if I’m on a low-sodium diet?
You can reduce the salt or use a salt substitute, but keep in mind it’ll alter the flavor profile a bit.
Is this rub spicy?
It has a mild kick from the cayenne pepper, but you can adjust it to your own taste.
Be sure to check out these 20+ Best Smoker Recipes on a Pellet Grill too!
Ready to take your grilling game to the next level? This dry rub recipe is the secret ingredient to mouthwatering meats and guaranteed rave reviews.
If you love this easy rib rub recipe, please give it a five-star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!
The Best Dry Rub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, stir together all of the ingredients.
- Use the mixture to coat your favorite rack of ribs or cut of meat.
Notes
Nutrition
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