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This flavor-packed Rib Rub Recipe is a mix of sweet, spicy, and earthy flavors for the perfect balance you want in a dry rub for ribs! Easy to mix up in a pinch and so finger-licking delicious. The combination of flavors in this rub is just amazing – this is the perfect Pork Rib Rub!
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Best Rib Rub
Grilling out is my passion, and there are few things I enjoy more than ribs on the grill. Spare ribs, baby back ribs, beef ribs – you name it, I love grilling ribs!
My secret to the most flavorful ribs is my rib rub with brown sugar recipe. This is the best dry rub for ribs I have ever had, and I guarantee you will feel the same way. It’s sweet and salty with a little kick of heat. Pair it with your favorite BBQ sauce and you’ll be obsessed!
Why is this brown sugar rib rub famous? Well, because literally any of my friends who have tried it, will never use another rub on their ribs! Give my rib seasoning a try and I know you’ll want to keep a jar of it on hand every time you grill out.
I will never use another rub for ribs. This recipe is a keeper!
Jim via email
Dry Rub for Ribs Ingredients
- brown sugar, packed
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- creole seasoning
- black pepper
- paprika
- salt preferably Himalayan sea salt
- cumin
- chili powder
- mustard powder
The best rubs start with sugar. I love brown sugar as a base for rib seasoning because it caramelizes as it cooks. Sweet flavors and pork are a perfect match. Adding in paprika gives it a tasty, earthy kick. It’s sweet and salty with a little bit of spice and brightness.
Definitely use Himalayan sea salt if you have access to it. This fine salt is perfect for rubs because it gives it amazing flavor without the larger salt chunks.
How to Make Baby Back Rib Rub
- On a large-rimmed baking sheet, rub each rack of ribs all over with the rib dry rub and refrigerate overnight.
- Make sure to cover the entire rack well and pat down the rub. It’s called a rub for a reason…. rub rub rub and a pat pat pat on both sides, you want a really nice coating!
- You can cook the ribs in the oven or on the grill.
- This makes the best Grilled Baby Back Ribs rub.
- It’s a delicious pork rub in general – try it with our Boston Butt on the Grill or Smoked Pork Butt.
- I love Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs made with this rub.
- This rib rub for pork makes a tasty Spare Rib dry rub.
- This isn’t just the best rub for pork ribs – it’s also delicious on beef! Try it with our Grilled Short Rib Recipe.
Pork Rib Rub FAQs
Perfect ribs start with delicious seasoning and letting it marinate overnight is great. If you don’t have enough time, a couple of hours will also work.
On a large-rimmed baking sheet, season your ribs all over with your spice rub for ribs and refrigerate overnight. The ribs will absorb the flavor of the rub better this way.
This is the best rib rub recipe – it will last up to 6 months in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, or in the refrigerator. Store it in a jar with a label and the date.
How to Store Rib Rub
Store your rib seasoning in air-tight glass containers such as a mason jar for up to 6 months stored in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator. If it clumps together, give it a good shake or simply mix it together. Homemade rib rub makes a fantastic food gift idea!
Best Dry Rubs
Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating below to let us know what you think! We love to hear from you!
📋 Recipe
Rib Rub Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons creole seasoning
- 3 teaspoons black pepper
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt preferably Himalayan sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
Instructions
- Add packed brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, Creole seasoning, black pepper, paprika, sea salt, cumin, chili powder, and mustard powder to a bowl.
- Mix ingredients together until fully combined.
Vicky says
This is the best rib rub!
Full flavored and the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, spicy! The recipe made plenty for my big slab of spare ribs, with enough left over for chicken tomorrow night! Thanks for the recipe!
Em Beitel says
That’s awesome! Thank you so much, Vicky!
Phyllis West says
Loved this rub on our ribs. You could smell it while they were grilling.
Em Beitel says
Phyllis, that is awesome! Thank you for sharing!
Barbara Boccia says
This was the most amazing rub I have ever made. I don’t know if it was the ribs or the rub or the manner in which I grilled them. They were awesome and so very tender but with a nice texture. It will be my only rub from now on
Em Beitel says
That is so awesome, Barbara! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Mike M. says
What kind of chili powder are you referring to? Like a plain paprika, cayenne, New Mexico, or an American blend such as McCormick’s?
Em Beitel says
Hi Mike! It would be a blend, like McCormick’s! If you want to mix your own you could use a blend of crushed chili spice, like New Mexican, chipotle, and ancho.