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You are here: Home / Grilling & Smoking / BBQ Rub

BBQ Rub

Posted by Jessica Pinney on June 28, 2020, last updated July 6, 2023

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This all-purpose dry BBQ rub is perfect for smoked pulled pork, chicken, beef, and even vegetables! Make a large batch so you always have some handy for smoking and grilling.

BBQ spice rib in a glass mason jar on a wood background.

Whether you’re a seasoned grill aficionado or a rookie with ambition, you know that a great BBQ rub is the key to elevating your backyard barbecues from good to downright legendary. 

That’s why I’m sharing my personal BBQ spice mix. It’s the result of countless hours of grilling and smoking every kind of meat under the sun. It is the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory – resulting in a harmonious explosion of flavor with every bite.

My favorite part about this bbq seasoning is that it isn’t a one-trick pony. It’s incredibly versatile and goes well on everything from chicken to pork, ribs, steak, and even vegetables. It will have your guests licking their fingers and begging for more no matter what you use it on! 

If you’re looking for a more unique flavor profile, try a bbq rub with coffee instead – it’s particularly good on chicken and steak. 

Ingredients

Multi-colored spices for BBQ spice rub arranged in piles in a large glass bowl.

  • Paprika
  • Chili Powder
  • Brown Sugar
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Cumin
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder

Tips

  1. Make sure to break up lumps really well with a fork. If your mixture is still lumpy, use a food processor or blender to make it smooth. 
  2. For best flavor, only use fresh spices that have been opened in the last six months. Spices start to lose their flavor over time.
  3. Adjust the level of cayenne to your personal heat preference. Reduce to a 1 tablespoon for very mild, or double to 4 tablespoons if you want it spicy.

Close up of BBQ spice rub in a metal tablespoon.

Recipes to use BBQ rub in

This is my absolute favorite bbq rub to use on pulled pork. 

Try it on grilled or smoked burgers or hot dog burnt ends at your next barbecue. 

It’s also great on vegetables. I recommend using it on smoked corn or potatoes. 

Print

BBQ Rub

All-purpose dry BBQ spice rub that’s perfect on pork, chicken, beef, and vegetables

  • Author: Jessica Pinney
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 18 1x
  • Category: BBQ
  • Cuisine: American
BBQ spice rib in a glass mason jar on a wood background
Print Recipe
★★★★★ 5 from 1 review

Ingredients

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1/3 Cup Chili Powder

1/4 Cup Paprika

1/4 Cup Salt

3 Tablespoons Black Pepper

2 Tablespoons Cayenne

2 Tablespoons Cumin

2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder

1 Tablespoon Onion Powder

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a bowl and blend well together with a fork, breaking up any lumps. Store in an airtight container until ready to use, up to 1 year.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 36

Did you make this recipe?

Please tag @cookingwithjanica and use #cookingwithjanica on social media. We'd love to see!

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  1. Karen says

    September 13, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    We used this on chicken all summer long and it was really good. We’ll definitely be making another batch in the spring.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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