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Rib Rub Recipe

Rib Rub RecipeTry this quick and easy rib rub recipe made in just minutes! Using only five ingredients- this BBQ-flavored rub is salty and sweet with just the right amount of heat. Prepare a rack of ribs with the rub overnight and enjoy perfectly seasoned and tender ribs the next day. 

Our rib rub in a decorative bowl.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

  • Chili Powder: American chili powder, made of dried chilies and herbs, lends a savory component to the rib rub.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Add heat that doesn’t overwhelm with cayenne.
  • Brown Sugar: Add sugar to the rub to enhance the flavor, encourage caramelization, and cut the bitterness of the other spices.
  • Salt + Pepper

HOW TO MAKE OUR RIB RUB RECIPE

Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl; stir to combine.

Combine the spices in a small bowl to make up our rib rub recipe.

Store the spice blend in an airtight container.

Store the ingredients for our rib rub recipe in an airtight container.

PREPARATION TIPS

  • Leave rib rub on the ribs for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best! 
  • Start with fresh spices – this makes all the difference; spices lose their flavor over time, especially ground spices. 

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Our sweet and spice rib rub recipe coated on a rack of beef ribs.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

  • Beef Ribs
  • Pork Ribs
  • Country-Style Ribs
  • Pork Chops
  • Grilled Chicken

WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS

  • STORAGE – Add leftover or pre-made rib rub to an airtight container. It will keep in your pantry or cabinet for up to 6 months.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should you put a rub on ribs?

Rubbing the ribs in advance will create a thicker bark and provide a tangier flavor to compliment the BBQ sauce or glaze you coat the ribs with afterward.

How long should rub be on ribs before cooking?

Leave the rib rub on for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best!

What do you put on ribs before rubbing?

I usually prepare ribs with a dry rub, but many home cooks use a technique called slathering first; this involves thinly layering ingredients like mustard, olive oil, or even mayo to act as a binder for the rub.

Can I make this rub low-carb or keto?

You sure can! Use Swerve or Golden Monk fruit in place of the brown sugar.

YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY:

Our rib rub in a decorative bowl.

Rib Rub Recipe

Tressa Jamil
Made with five ingredients- our rib rub recipe is salty and sweet. Prepare a rack of ribs over night and enjoy perfectly seasoned and tender ribs the next day.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Preparations
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 17 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 4 teaspoons American chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne, ground
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions
 

Notes

Preparation Tips: 
  • Leave rib rub on the ribs for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best! 
  • Start with fresh spices – this makes all the difference; spices lose their flavor over time, especially ground spices. 
 
Nutrition Disclosure:
  • The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 Tablespoons | Calories: 17kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 279mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
Recipe Rating




Shariq

Sunday 16th of October 2022

This is the best homemade rub I have tried. I think it tastes way better than store-bought options and you can control what goes into it. It tasted great with everything I tried, especially ribs, steak, and grilled chicken.