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Rib Rub Recipe

Rib Rub Recipe Make this quick and easy rib rub recipe in a matter of minutes using five simple ingredients. The BBQ-flavored rub strikes the perfect balance between salty and sweet with a touch of heat. Prepare a rack of ribs with the rub overnight and enjoy perfectly seasoned and tender ribs the next day. And once you’ve made the ribs, complete your meal with our list of what to serve with ribs

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 recipe.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Add heat that doesn’t overwhelm with a small amount of cayenne powder.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar enhances the flavor and encourages caramelization on the ribs as they cook. It also helps to cut the bitterness of some of the other spices.
  • Salt + Pepper: Finish the rub with coarse ground black pepper and kosher salt. 

HOW TO MAKE OUR RIB RUB RECIPE

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

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.

EXPERT TIPS

  • Leave the rib rub recipe on the ribs for at least 2 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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If you love this recipe, try one of these spice blends!  

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS

  • Storage  Transfer leftover 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 2 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.

MORE BBQ RECIPES:

⭐️ Rate the Recipe 

Feedback is Valuable – It helps us improve and update our recipes, so we can provide delicious meals you love. Consider leaving a comment or rating below the recipe card, and feel free to share your adaptations or ask any questions. We cannot wait to hear about what you’ve made. 

Our rib rub in a decorative bowl.

Rib Rub Recipe

Tressa Jamil
With simple ingredients, this rib rub recipe strikes the perfect balance of salty and sweet with a touch of heat for perfectly seasoned ribs.
4 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
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
 
  • Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl; stir to combine.
  • Store the spice blend in an airtight container.
Notes
Expert 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: 17 kcal | Carbohydrates: 4 g | Sodium: 279 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g
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.