Best Rib Rub

Name: Best Rib Rub Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ½ cup sugar; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 tablespoon paprika; ½ teaspoon chili powder; ½ teaspoon pepper; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Best Rib Rub Ingredients and Substitutions
How to Make The Best Rib Rub
Best Rib Rub Recipe Recipe
Recipe FAQ
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We LOVE a good rack of ribs! This best rib rub is our go-to for unmatched flavor.

Just a few simple spices combine to create layers of depth and flavor. We use this rub paired with an overnight marinade to make our favorite grilled ribs. We love that it’s easy to whip up and uses ingredients we already have in our spice rack.

With an extra-long BBQ season here in AZ, we do a lot of grilling! It’s nice to have a flavorful blend on hand for all of those grilled dinners.

For more of our favorite ribs, try Baby Back, Dr. Pepper, and slow cooker ribs!

Why we think you’ll love it:

5 simple spices. Then add a bit of sugar and that’s all you need to create a flavorful rub for your ribs, roast, or steak!
SO easy. Just mix and you’re ready to go! This is a great seasoning blend to have on hand for grilling.
Get creative. Taste is subjective. Start with our base recipe and adjust the ratios of ingredients to suit your liking.

Ingredients for best rib rub on a kitchen counter.

Best Rib Rub Ingredients and Substitutions

½ cup sugar – granulated sugar or brown sugar both work
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon paprika – regular or smoked paprika
½ teaspoon chili powder – or cayenne pepper or chipotle peppers
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
optional spices – celery salt, onion powder, cinnamon, allspice, or nutmeg for a unique depth of flavor

How to Make The Best Rib Rub

COMBINE. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, salt, and seasonings to create the rub, then rub the spice mixture over both sides of the ribs.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

Not just for ribs, you can use it on pork chops, pork shoulder, butt, chicken, or roast.
Apply the dry rub generously over the meat and season all sides. It can be applied right before cooking or applied and refrigerated for up to 8 hours, then cooked. We prefer the 8 hours to maximize flavor.
Taste is subjective. Start with our base spice rub recipe and adjust the ratios of ingredients to suit your liking.

Best rib rub used to season grilled ribs.

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Best Rib Rub Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley

This best rib rub uses simple spices for unmatched flavor, creating truly finger-licking, perfectly seasoned ribs!

Servings: 8

Prep: 5

Total: 5

Ingredients

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, salt and seasonings to create the rub, then rub over both sides of the ribs.

Notes

Recipe tips.

Not just for ribs, you can use it on pork chops, pork shoulder, butt, or roast.
Apply the dry rub generously over the meat and season all sides. It can be applied right before cooking or applied and refrigerated for up to 8 hours, then cooked.
Taste is subjective. Start with our base recipe and adjust the ratios of ingredients to suit your liking.

Store the rub in an airtight container or jar. Store in a cool, dark place. If all the ingredients you used are fresh, the rub will last for several months.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.02g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Sodium: 584mg, Potassium: 26mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 469IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Place the rib rub recipe in an airtight container or jar and store in a cool, dark place. If all the ingredients you used are fresh, the rub will last for several months.