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    Home » Recipes » Cooking Tips

    The Best BBQ Dry Rub

    Published: May 27, 2022 | Last Updated: December 11, 2022 | Lisa 6 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A large pork loin with homemade bbq rub seasoning being poured over the top.

    Last Updated December 11th, 2022 at 09:58 pm by Lisa

    Use this grilling and BBQ dry rub on chicken, steaks, for pulled pork, and mix it into grilled burgers. This seasoning blend adds amazing flavor and color to anything you grill, smoke, or barbeque.

    Use up extra spices you have on hand, and package this in a jar, with a cute tag and a spoon. This bbq spice makes a great homemade food gift.

    Use this barbecue rub spice mixture of simple ingredients in so many more ways. Sprinkle it on a tri-tip steak, on ribs, season corn on the cob, and even popcorn. Make a jar and enjoy this seasoning in your cooking, it is so good...

    Pin

    This Is The Best Dry Rub!

    • Many of the store purchased spice rubs can be a bit too salty, or smoky, this one has a perfect balance. It will become your secret ingredient in your kitchen.
    • A great way to use up extra spices that might otherwise be thrown out or expire.
    • A savory rub with ZERO preservatives! It is my "go-to" homemade spice blend.
    • Makes a wonderful hostess or holiday gift. Personalize your gift tags or a label with a cute airtight container or mason jar.
    • The taste of this blend of spices gives a nice color to the grilled meats, vegetables, and even fish like cedar grilled salmon. It is the best way to up your grilling game!
    Pin

    Grill and BBQ Rub Recipe

    • ¼ cup brown sugar (golden brown, light, or dark brown sugar)
    • ¼ cup sweet paprika (not hot paprika)
    • 3 tablespoons cracked black pepper
    • 3 tablespoons sea salt (kosher salt)
    • 2 tablespoons lemon pepper
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons onion powder
    • 2 teaspoons celery seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

    Make A Big Batch

    1. Combine all the ingredients for this dry bbq rub recipe in a small bowl and stir to mix using a small whisk to evenly combine.
    2. Store any leftover mix at room temperature in an airtight jar out of light and heat in a dry place. It will keep for at least 3 months.
    A graphic of seasonings on a plate to make a homemade dry rub.Pin
    Pin

    Gift This Homemade Rub Recipe

    Many years ago, I gave this dry spice rub as my Christmas gift to friends and family to use for dry spice rub recipes like steak, chicken and pork.

    With a tight budget that year, I ordered inexpensive little glass shaker spice jars and ordered custom labels off the internet. Everyone raved about their gourmet food gift that year!

    Pin

    Homemade BBQ Rub FAQ

    What is a dry rub?


    A mixture of various seasonings and spices, that are rubbed on a cut of meat before grilling or smoked in a BBQ.

    BBQ rubs or dry rubs as they are called, are used to add deep flavor and color to the meat as it cooks. There are many recipes to try it on, and some specific to a cut or type of meat like pork, beef, lamb, or chicken.

    How do I use a BBQ rub?


    Try a dry rub on grilled, barbeque, or smoked meats:

    pork shoulder
    chicken breasts
    baby back ribs
    pork chops
    pork ribs
    chicken legs
    tri-tip steak
    pork tenderloin
    chicken wings
    pork loin
    flank steak
    rib eyes
    beef brisket
    spare ribs
    chicken thighs
    pork butt


    Then brush on barbecue sauce for the last 5 minutes of grilling.

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    PRO TIP: Buy meat on sale, and make portions ready to grill. Sprinkle BBQ rub on each piece of meat, and freeze in zip lock bags or with a FoodSaver. When ready to use, defrost overnight in the fridge, and throw on the grill!

    More Dry Spice Rub Recipes

    Make the BEST Grilled Hamburgers. Simply stir this mix into the ground beef, add some Worcestershire sauce, and grill!

    Pin

    Corn on the Cob - run a stick of butter on each clean ear of corn and sprinkle on the BBQ rub, wrap in foil set on the grill, and rotate until cooked about 15 minutes. Add to hot buttered popcorn... it's great!

    The best recipe for this seasoning mix on Pork Loin Pulled Pork: Oven Roasted. Use this on a large pork loin cut to make pulled pork in the oven cooking it low and slow.

    What is more American than hamburgers or Classic Cheeseburgers? These are topped with a copycat In-N-Out Burger sauce spread and seasoning.

    • The steps to season hamburgers, with them shaped on parchment paper as burgers before grilling.
      Grilled Hamburger Seasoning
    • A white casserole dish with oven roasted pulled pork shredded and ready to eat in tacos or a recipe for dinner.
      Oven Roasted Pulled Pork
    • Ears of grilled corn on a white platter seasoned with melted butter on top.
      Grilled Corn On The Cob
    • A person holding a messy grilled burger topped with melted cheese, burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
      The Best Cheeseburger

    CRAVING MORE?

    Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

    A large pork loin roast with a lot of dry rub seasoning pouring over the top.Pin
    Print Pin Recipe

    The Best BBQ Dry Rub

    Use this grilling and BBQ dry rub on chicken, steaks, pork, hamburgers, and as a rib rub. This seasoning blend adds amazing flavor and color!
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 25
    Calories 20kcal
    Author Lisa Hatfield

    Equipment

    Spice Storage Jar

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • ¼ cup paprika
    • 3 tablespoons cracked black pepper
    • 3 tablespoons sea salt
    • 2 tablespoons lemon pepper
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons onion powder
    • 2 teaspoons celery seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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    Instructions

    • Combine all the ingredients for this dry bbq rub recipe in a small bowl and stir to mix using a small whisk to evenly combine.
    • Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight jar out of light and heat in a dry place. It will keep for at least 3 months.

    Notes

    BBQ Chicken BBQ

    This BBQ rub is fantastic on grilled chicken. Apply BBQ sauce in the last 5 minutes.

    Beef or Steak 

    It's a perfect for beef BBQ too. It's especially good on tri-tip, ribs, and steaks. But honestly, it makes the BEST grilled hamburgers. Simply mix into the ground beef, with some Worcestershire sauce, and grill! 
    TIP: Buy meat on sale, make portions ready to grill, sprinkle on pieces, and freeze in zip lock bags or with a FoodSaver.

    Ribs and Pork

    Try this on grilled or smoked baby back ribs, pork tenderloin, or even pork chops.
    Pork Loin Pulled Pork: Oven Roasted Low and Slow is so good with this rub, you need a large pork loin to make this pulled pork in the oven.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 20kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 842mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 619IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let's see it on Instagram! Follow us @Delicious.Table and tag us on your recipe photo with #delicioustable
    Need ingredients or equipment to make this recipe? Shop Now Every cooking product recommended I own, use, and love how they perform in my kitchen. Happy Cooking! Lisa
    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Delicious Table earns advertising fees from qualified purchases linking to Amazon.com

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gary says

      December 21, 2023 at 12:59 pm

      5 stars
      Made this rub used it on chicken and pork roast was very good flavor

      Reply
    2. Greg says

      December 21, 2023 at 12:57 pm

      5 stars
      This was a great rub! We made a pork roast with it.

      Reply
    3. Bec says

      August 15, 2021 at 4:41 pm

      U guys r awesome ❤️It

      Reply
    4. Laura says

      April 30, 2021 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      This rub was so good! I used it on a pork shoulder and it was amazing.

      Reply
    5. Jessica Robinson says

      July 29, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, this rub was AMAZING on ribs and salmon we made on the grill. Such a great staple to keep in your pantry. So easy to make and so much better than the store bought ones. LOVING the pics too Lisa!! Such a beautiful post!

      Reply
    6. Bev says

      March 07, 2018 at 10:45 am

      5 stars
      I love having a jar of this rub on hand. It is truly excellent on burgers and veggies, and yes -- popcorn! I am addicted to popcorn and thanks to your idea I am enjoying sprinkling this on for some flavor! Perfect with a beer!

      Reply

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