Basic Barbecue Rub
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It all starts with a basic #BBQ rub for all your barbecue meat recipes. Easy ingredients. Great taste.
Every good BBQ meat recipe should start with a good dry rub. This is my go-to Basic BBQ Dry Rub spice blend which is warm, sweet, and spicy. It does the job and can be altered to suit your tastes with other spices.
Living in the South, BBQ is a must to learn how to do and the rub is the secret to so many good BBQ recipes whether it’s pork, chicken, or beef.
Making a rub is really easy. Just add the spices using the different recipes below in a Mason Jar, screw on the lid, and shake to mix. That’s it. I store my jars in a dry cool place in my pantry.
I always wear latex gloves when I add rub to meat since some of the spices may be harsh on my skin. Sprinkle dry rub over both sides of the meat, rubbing it onto the meat. You aren’t really rubbing the spices into the meat, just giving them a nice cover of flavor. Cover the meat with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 hours minimum or overnight. Cook your dry-rubbed meat per your recipe directions.
Rubs make BBQ’d chicken so yummy! I also use this same recipe when I cook pulled pork in the Instant Pot.
Since I have different rubs for different meats, I use Mason Jar chalkboard lids and a chalk marker for identification. For a fun label, I will use color markers. What I love about the chalkboard tops is they wash off easily and are ready to be used again. I use them on all my Mason Jars filled with spices.
Basic Barbecue Rub
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp dry mustard
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tsp ground red pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place each ingredient in a Mason Jar, screw on lid and shake.
Try these different variations for other meats
Rib Rub – Basic rub plus 1/4 cup dried parsley, 2 tbsp dried oregano, and 2 tbsp lemon zest
Chicken Rub – Basic rub plus 2 tbsp fennel seed, 2 tbsp celery seed, and 2 tbsp ground ginger.
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My basic rub is a lot like yours. Of course, every good southern cook has a great bbq dry rub. Yours sounds so good! We love to grill out as often as we can and we are usually grilling meats that require a rub.
Interesting idea! I love the Mason jar concept too. I’m always searching for new spices and rubs to try, especially on BBQ.
Wonderful thing about making your own rub is personalized for you taste and what family likes. Yours is similar to mine.
My son has been wanting to make Ribs for Dinner so I will share this Rub with him and see if he would like to make it use on our Meat.
I love rubs on meat! It makes them so much tastier! I have never tried this one but with all those spices in there I KNOW I would love it!
I’ll have to try this rub for sure. We need a good rub, and this one sounds incredible. Now I want some BBQ!
This is a very interesting recipe! Such a great idea about the gloves to protect your hands as well!
Is one jar good for only one use or can it be used for more than one rack?
I will use that jar up on several uses. But I’m cooking for 2. But when we BBQ, we usually cook a lot and put in the freezer.
We are always looking for a great rub. This one looks so good! We will have to make it before our next bbq.
It is so good you are able to put together a tutorial for fellow barbecue fans. I will keep this handy and show it to the chicken cooks in my family.
I love trying dry rub recipes. Looking forward to giving yours a try. I have to make sure to pickup dry mustard the next time I’m at the store.
I love recipes like this because it’s something that you can use any time! It makes life easier too especially when you’re too busy to make a rub or marinade from scratch at the same day. Thanks for the recipe! I’m sure it makes any piece of meat taste awesome!
I wish I was better at preparing my meats like this. This is usually my husband’s department. I love a good BBQ flavor though.
I’ve tended to go with sauce instead of rub when it comes to BBQ. I’ve been considering trying out some rub with recipes when grilling out this summer though. So I found this post really interesting. Thanks!
I never thought about making a rub. I always just buy the little packets from the store. Yours looks much better, and it’s definitely cheaper in the long run!
I have never tried making my own BBQ rub but this is awesome. So thanks for sharing this, I know what to put in mine now.
My husband makes his own rubs. I showed him your recipe and he said that it was “spot on.” Which means you did it right! 😉
I’ve been buying BBQ rubs on Amazon but now I can make my own. I never knew what all went into rubs and I can’t wait to try this and make some for my kids to try as well. They have their own families and it would save them time from shopping or trying to make their own.
This looks delicious, Tammy. BBQ is one of my favorite flavors. I think it’s the sweetness. Pinning! My people will love this. Thanks!!