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Home » Seasonal » BBQ » The Ultimate Dry Rub

The Ultimate Dry Rub

Created: February 25, 2019 Updated: July 10, 2020 by Lyuba Brooke 51 Comments

89.8K shares
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This is the only Dry Rub recipe you will ever need. It’s a great Dry Rub for ribs, for chicken, brisket, chicken wings, and more. Use this dry rub on any meat that you’re grilling, smoking, or cooking in the oven. It’s quick, versatile, tastes amazing and made with a simple ingredients. 

Try this rub on some baked chicken wings, when grilling your favorite steak, or even on sided dishes like grilled potatoes. 

Dry Rub in a glass jar on a wooden cutting board

DRY RUB

Dry rubs are a wonderful way to infuse a lot of flavor into the meat. What is a dry rub? It’s very simple, dry rub is a combination of spices, herbs, and sugar. Basically, it’s dry ingredients and spice ingredients mixed together for coating and flavoring meat. 

When making homemade dry rub, it’s best to incorporates all taste elements like sweet, savory, and spicy. All three elements combined together make a flavor explosion for your taste buds. 

When it comes to sweet, the best base is brown sugar. I often use dark brown sugar for an additional molasses flavor, which comes out even more when the dry rub starts to caramelize in heat. 

For heat, I find cayenne to be the most complimentary of the other spices. If cayenne is not available, you can get the heat from chili powder. The reason I prefer cayenne is because it adds a good amount of heat without overpowering other flavors, like chili powder tends to do. 

All other ingredients are the savory flavor additions. Start with the must-haves like salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then we add a few more layers of flavor from aromatic herbs like cumin and coriander.

When it comes to paprika, which is a big and important ingredient in a dry rub, I prefer to go with smoked, especially if I’m making meats in the oven. If I’m cooking on a grill or in the smoker, I can easily use regular sweet paprika since there will be plenty of smokey flavor coming from the grill.

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measuring spoons full of the spices for dry rub on a cutting board

HOW TO USE DRY RUB

Dry rub is used on meats to get a lot of flavor into the meat without having any additional sauces or meats. Even though you can always add a glaze or a sauce after the meats have been cooked, it’s absolutely not necessary with a dry rub.

It’s incredibly simple to make and use as well. In just a few minutes and a few shakes, you will have this amazing aromatic combination of spices ready to be applied to the meat. 

Once dry rub is mixed, spread it in a rimmed baking sheet or a large bowl, whichever fits the meat you are using best. Add meat and generously rub it all over with the rub, getting every nook and cranny, while massaging the dry rub into the meat. 

For many meats, like chicken breasts, brisket, or pork, I prefer to rub it and then refrigerate it overnight or even up to 12 hours. This will give the meat extra time to get as much flavor out of spices as possible. 

Refrigerating the meat is not a necessary step, it just adds so much extra flavor. Rubbed meats can be cooked right away if there is no time to let it sit in the refrigerator. 

Dry Rub recipe in a white bowl on a wood table

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST DRY RUB:

When possible, use the freshest ingredients. Spices tend to loose their aroma and flavor after the jar has been open for 9 months. Use fresh spices and grind some fresh herbs like black pepper and coriander. (If you don’t have spice grinder, you can also use a small coffee grinder.) Herbs are so much more aromatic when freshly ground.

It’s best to quickly mix fresh dry rub right before using it but it can be prepared ahead of time and used at a later date.  

If planning on grilling the meat with dry rub on it, it’s best to not cook it right over direct heat but off to the side from direct heat. Direct heat will burn the dry rub versus caramelizing it. 

dry rub mixed up in a bowl with a fork

HOW TO STORE DRY RUB:

For the best way to keep dry rubs fresh, use a zip-lock freezer bag and store it in the freezer. Get as much air out of the bag as you can before sealing it.

You can also store dry rub for up to 6-months in air-tight jar in a cool dark place or in the refrigerator. 

Make sure to date and label the bag or the jar. 

The Ultimate Dry Rub recipe in a jar on a wooden cutting board

SOME MORE GREAT RECIPES TO TRY:

BBQ Chicken Skewers

Southwest Baked Chicken

Garlic Pork Loin

Oven Baked Chicken

Braised Short Ribs

Pepper Steak

If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!

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PIN THIS RECIPE

The Ultimate Dry Rub

This is a great Dry Rub for ribs, for chicken, brisket, chicken wings, and more. Use this dry rub on any meat that you’re grilling, smoking, or cooking in the oven.
4.14 from 132 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 331kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp dark brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp smoked paprika can substitute regular paprika
  • 2 tbsp coarse salt
  • 1 tbsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine all spices and herbs in a bowl and mix very well. (You can also combine it in a jar with a lid, close the lid and shake well to mix.) 
  • Dry rub can be used right away or stored for up to 6 months. 
  • To use: spread mixed dry rub in a rimmed baking sheet or a large bowl, whichever fits the meat you are using best. Add meat and generously rub it all over with the dry rub, getting every nook and cranny, while massaging the dry rub into the meat.
  • To store: For the best way to keep dry rubs fresh, use a zip-lock freezer bag and store it in the freezer. Get as much air out of the bag as you can before sealing it.
    (You can also store dry rub for up to 6-months in air-tight jar in a cool dark place or in the refrigerator.) 

Notes

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have a slight variation.

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 13998mg | Potassium: 975mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 14540IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 9mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

The Ultimate Dry Rub recipe picture collage top picture spices in jar bottom picture spices in a bowl

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

89.8K shares

Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, BBQ, Beef, Chicken, Dressing, Popular Posts, Pork

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Nadine says

    January 21, 2023 at 4:11 pm

    is the sodium correct in the nutrition list – 13,998mg ??

    Reply
  2. Missy says

    November 23, 2022 at 1:40 pm

    If I have an 11 pound beef brisket how many servings of this rub should I use?

    Reply
  3. Nancy says

    May 16, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely Delish. This has got to be the best rub. I made baby back ribs, put the rub on and marinated them in the fridge overnight. This rub is so delicious, you don’t even need BBQ sauce.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      May 23, 2022 at 10:21 am

      Wow! Thank you for such a nice compliment! I am so happy you like the recipe, Nancy! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Debra says

    November 19, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    The rub sounds delicious. All other recipes I’ve seen use a lot of liquid when making their brisket in the oven. You don’t and I was wondering why? I want to make brisket for our Christmas dinner. Any advise you could give me would be appreciated.
    Thank you

    Reply
  5. Trink says

    July 23, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    This is the best dry rub ever! I think the smoked paprika really sets it apart. I have always used a similar recipe and almost didn’t even try it. I’m so glad that I did. I can’t wait to try it on other meats!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      July 26, 2021 at 10:50 am

      I am so glad you gave it a try and like it! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Gloria says

    June 12, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    I also use this rub as a marinated. I take about 2-3 tab. Of rub and add to 1/4 of oil in a ziplock bag and mix together then add chicken to it and put in refrigerator overnight or at least an hour then grill meat.

    For my ribs I use this rub as a dry rub. I rub my ribs then wrap in foil then refrigerator overnight in morning I put them into my crockpot (leave them wrapped in foil) for about 6 hours. Drain grease and unwrap meat then put on grill and add some BBQ sauce grill about 10 minutes. Yes this is time consuming but well worth it.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      June 14, 2021 at 9:37 am

      Hi Gloria,

      I am so glad you like it! Thanks for all the great tips I will give them a try!

      Reply
  7. Kris says

    May 23, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Lyubab,

    I love this rub on everything. Meat, potatoes, even some roasted veggies. My question isn’t about the rub, I’d like to know where you got those cute wire bail jars? I just love those. Thanks so much.

    Kris

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      May 24, 2021 at 11:21 am

      Hi Kris,

      I am so glad you like the rub so much! You can buy similar ones on Amazon like these ones

      https://www.amazon.com/1-6-Ounce-Airtight-Odor-Proof-Canisters-Containers/dp/B074QPS6HQ/ref=asc_df_B074QPS6HQ/

      Reply
      • Kris says

        May 24, 2021 at 4:10 pm

        Thank you so much. I never even thought of Amazon. Sheesh!

        Kris

        Reply
        • LyubaB says

          May 28, 2021 at 8:19 am

          Your so welcome, Kris!

          Reply
  8. Keri says

    April 28, 2021 at 1:10 am

    What is the cup volume of this rub mixture – I would like to try your brisket recipe but my brisket is 11lb and it calls for 1.25cups of dry rub.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      May 3, 2021 at 9:48 am

      Hi Keri, this makes about a cup so I would double the recipe and store the leftovers in an airtight jar or container in a cool place.

      Reply
  9. Gentleman Jester says

    October 27, 2020 at 2:58 pm

    Hey! I’ve used this dry rub on beef before and it has been absolutely delicious.

    I am coming now to ask whether it can also be used on pork? I just got a pork shoulder joint, and all the pork joint recipes I’ve found online have barely any seasoning.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      October 27, 2020 at 3:08 pm

      Yes, I like this rub on a pork shoulder! I also have a sister site with a great recipe for a pork shoulder that you can find at the link below

      https://grillingsmokingliving.com/smoked-pork-shoulder/

      Reply
      • Gentleman Jester says

        October 27, 2020 at 4:19 pm

        I notice on that recipe, you say to use a smoker. Is it possible to follow it in an oven instead?

        Reply
        • LyubaB says

          October 28, 2020 at 10:55 am

          Hi,

          Yes, you can definitely do it in the oven instead! Just remember to be generous with salt fist to give it extra flavor, you can rub with salt overnight and then add the rub the next day but I would use less or just omit the salt in the dry rub if you do salt overnight. Let me know how it turns out!

          Reply
          • Gentleman Jester says

            October 28, 2020 at 10:58 am

            Well, I’ve already got a wee jar of dry rub prepared, so I’ll rub a little bit of the coarse salt into the meat beforehand.

            I also noticed that the cooking time for your recipe is 7 hours, although the recipe itself is more based on temperature. Since I’m relatively new to cooking these delicious recipes of yours, is there a standard time for cooking the pork per kg/lb, or would it be best to check the temperature every half hour or so?

            Reply
  10. Barb says

    May 1, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    5 stars
    Love the recipe, have used it different times.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      May 6, 2020 at 3:28 pm

      Hi, Barb! So glad you love it! Thanks for taking the time to tell me and for rating my recipe! 🙂

      Reply
  11. James says

    March 31, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    I love this dry rub and use it on everything! It’s delicious!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      April 1, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Thanks, James!

      Reply
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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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