While I typically use a sweet and spicy rib rub recipe to season juicy ribs, you can whip up a delicious mustard rib rub for fall-off-the-bone beef or pork ribs using simple ingredients. Once everything’s come together, check out these side dishes to help you decide what to serve with ribs.
What Does Rubbing Mustard on Ribs do?
Incorporating mustard into your rib rub allows the vinegar in mustard to tenderize the meat, gently breaking down the fibers without overpowering the overall flavor of the rub. It also acts as a binder for the flavorful dry spices.
Key Ingredients
- Brown Sugar: A bit of brown sugar brings out the flavor and encourages caramelization as the ribs cook. It also balances out any bitterness from the spices. You can swap it for white sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
- Ancho Chili Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Coarse Black Pepper
- Mustard: Yellow mustard adds a subtle tangy flavor and helps the mustard rib rub adhere to the meat. I like using yellow mustard, but Dijon works. You can also use one teaspoon of dry mustard for every tablespoon of yellow mustard if you prefer only dry spices.
How to Make Mustard Rib Rub
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine brown sugar, ancho chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl or glass jar.
Step 2: Apply a thin layer of yellow mustard to pork or beef ribs. Then, spread the rib rub spices evenly over both sides of the ribs.
How to Apply Mustard Rib Rub
Start by removing the membrane from the backside of the ribs, then coat both sides with a thin layer of yellow mustard.
Generously sprinkle the ribs with the spice mixture and press it into the mustard-coated ribs.
Cover them with plastic wrap and let ribs rest in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or overnight for the best results.
Expert Tips
- Start with fresh spices. Fresh spices make all the difference since spices lose flavor over time, especially ground spices.
- Rest the rub. Once you’ve applied the mustard rib rub, let the ribs sit for at least 1–2 hours, or even better, overnight! This helps the flavors soak in the meat and gives the mustard time to tenderize the ribs.
If you enjoy the mustard dry rub, try even more BBQ favorites!
Serving Suggestions
Ready to put that mustard rib rub to work? Here are some tasty ways to use it:
- Oven Baked Beef Ribs
- Brisket in the Oven
- Instant Pot Beef Ribs
- Pork Ribs
- Country-Style Ribs
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Pork Chops
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Storage
Transfer the leftover dry rib rub to an airtight container. It will keep in your pantry or spice cabinet for 4-6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to put mustard on ribs?
Apply a thin layer of yellow mustard to the ribs before adding the dry rub, as it helps the spices stick to the ribs for maximum flavor.
However, there is a select group of BBQ pit masters, including Melissa Cookston, who swear by coating the ribs in dry rub before adding mustard (or binder of choice) before finishing the ribs with turbinado sugar, brown sugar, or honey for tasty caramelization.
What kind of mustard for rib rub?
Yellow mustard is my go-to for rib rub with mustard, but Dijon mustard add tangy flavor, so it comes down to preference.
What are some alternative to mustard?
Consider using Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, or mayonnaise as an alternative to mustard in a rib rub.
More Spice Blend Recipes:
Mustard Rib Rub
- Small Bowl or Glass Jar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar or golden monk fruit
- 3 teaspoons ancho chili powder
- 2½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2½ teaspoons coarse black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- ¼ cup yellow mustard
- Combine brown sugar, ancho chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl or glass jar.
- Apply a thin layer of yellow mustard to pork or beef ribs. Then, spread the rib rub spices evenly over both sides of the ribs.
- Start with fresh spices. Fresh spices make all the difference since spices lose flavor over time, especially ground spices.
- Rest the rub. Once you’ve applied the mustard rib rub, let the ribs sit for at least 1–2 hours, or even better, overnight! This helps the flavors soak in the meat and gives the mustard time to tenderize the ribs.