Most BBQ dry rub recipes consist of a mixture of spices, although some feature something moist like fresh garlic or ginger (as Cajun seasoning does).
They are often hot and spicy with a touch of sweetness – Jerk seasoning is a good example of the dry version.
Their main job is to flavor; as the meat cooks, the oils leak out and form a crust with the rub which seals the rest of the juices in.
They will spice up a variety of meat, poultry, fish or veggies.
Brush the food with a thin layer of oil, and then apply a rub by hand working it thoroughly into every nook. If you do this an hour or two before cooking it tends to marinate meat a little.
After barbecuing, the meat can be served plain like a jerk or Cajun seasoning rub, or with a finishing sauce, as with pulled pork. We’ve suggested uses for these rubs, but feel free to experiment with foods or quantities of ingredients to suit what you have.
Recipe for a Hot Aromatic BBQ Rub
There’s a bit of an Indian influence going on here, perhaps, with flavors like cumin and fenugreek featuring. The peppercorns give a kick of heat. Oh, and the cooking aroma is wonderful.
- 2 tbsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp coriander (cilantro?) seeds
- 1/2 tbsp fenugreek seeds
- 2 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1/2 tbsp black peppercorns
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1 clove
- salt
Toast the ingredients lightly in a pan over low heat, and then grind them with a pestle and mortar until the ingredients are powdered
Add a pinch or two of salt at the end.
Another BBQ Dry Rub Recipe
- This one has a bit of a Cajun influence with the fresh garlic.
- 2 tbsp fennel, ground to powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp fresh or dried thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- Zest of a big orange
- a few pinches of salt and pepper
Once the fennel is toasted and ground up, mix all the ingredients together, and that’s it.
Top 10 Dry Rubs
Basic Rib Rub
This BBQ dry rub is a basic recipe for BBQ and smoking a great set of ribs. This rub will add a lot of flavor without detracting from the natural flavor of the meat.
- ⅓ cup paprika
- 3 tablespoons dry mustard
- 3 tablespoons onion powder
- 3 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons ground basil
- 1 tablespoon red pepper
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- Optional to make the rub sweeter: 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. When applying to ribs, coat heavily and massage into the meat.
Pulled Pork Rub
This traditional pulled pork dry rub recipe will give you a great batch of Carolina Style Pulled Pork.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup paprika
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Work the mixture into meat about and hour before it goes on the smoker.
- This rub can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for several months.
Beef Ribs
This rub combines the flavors of sweet and heat. You can adjust the heat by using mild or medium chili powder and if you really want to make spice it up, then add an extra tablespoon of cayenne. This is a perfect BBQ dry rub recipe for great BBQ Beef Ribs.
- ¼ cup paprika
- ¼ cup mild or medium chili powder
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Apply about 2 tablespoons of rub to each side of the rack.
Chicken BBQ Dry Rub
Here’s a great BBQ Chicken Dry Rub recipe. It’s a great combination of herbs that really adds a nice taste to BBQ chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons whole mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients and rub into the chicken, all over, inside and out. For bolder flavor put the seasoning under the skin.
Basic Fish Rub
Basic Fish (BBQ Rub) – This is a rub to use on fish prior to grilling or smoking. Recipe from Steven Raichlen’s How to Grill cookbook. He says you can add any additional herb or spice you may fancy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl with your fingers.
- If using as a seasoning, just sprinkle on the fish before grilling.
- If using as a true rub (which will season and start to cure the fish), sprinkle on the fish and rub with your fingers. Let sit for 2 hours up to a day in advance prior to grilling.
Texas Brisket Rub
Since everything is supposed to be bigger in Texas, choose a big beef brisket for this dry rub recipe. To prepare the brisket, trim any fat deposits down to about one-quarter inch thick. Next, score the fatty side with a sharp knife. This allows the dry rub to reach the meat.
Ingredients
- ½ cup paprika
- ¼ cup chili powder
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon cumin
- 2 tablespoon oregano
- 2 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
Instructions
- Combine all of the spices and seasonings well. Store in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry location. This recipe makes enough rub for two or three briskets.
- To season your brisket, rub a generous amount of the dry rub seasoning onto all sides. Wrap the brisket in plastic wrap and leave it in the fridge for at least 12 hours, and up to two days. The flavors will absorb into the meat during this time.
Memphis Style Rib Rub
In Memphis, ribs are traditionally served up dry. I can attest to that fact when I went to Memphis for the first time and ate at the famous Rendezvous restaurant in downtown Memphis. This doesn’t mean that the meat is tough and dried out, there just isn’t a barbecue sauce. This traditional Memphis barbecue rub recipe is the base for great pork ribs.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons cayenne
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together and transfer to an airtight container.
Kansas City Rib Rub
Now for the most famous BBQ dry rub recipe around, the Kansas City Rib Rub. In Kansas City, they know BBQ ribs. This is the barbecue rub recipe for the traditional Kansas City-Style Ribs. Finish these ribs off with one of our barbecue sauce recipes and have a wonderful rib dinner!
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup paprika
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together and transfer to an airtight container. It can be stored for up to six months.
Carolina Rib Rub
This is a great classic rub for the Carolina Pulled Pork, ribs, brisket, poultry, lamb or pork. Where it originally comes from I’m not sure but this is a great BBQ dry rub recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup paprika
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together.