Easy As Cookies

  • Recipes
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Pork

Barbecue Spice Rub

Published: Jun 11, 2018 · Modified: Mar 23, 2025 by Leona Konkel · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
↓ Jump to Recipe

I'm long overdue to share my favorite Barbecue Spice Rub with you. It's salty, peppery, and slightly sweet. If you're vinegar-averse, this is for you!!

I've loved it ever since I first made it 8 years ago, when I started this blog with my 365 recipe challenge. It's been my go-to barbecue seasoning ever since. I've tried other rib recipes, but the flavorings have all paled in comparison to this.

[This post contains affiliate links. I may make a commission for purchases made through links on this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.]

Jump to:
  • What is Barbecue? And is it Barbecue versus Barbeque?
  • Why Should I Use a Spice Rub?
  • Ingredients for this Barbecue Spice Rub
  • Do I Need to Use Barbecue Sauce with the Spice Rub?
  • What Should I Put This Spice Rub On?
  • 📖 Recipe

Growing up, my family generally only grilled one way - by making hamburgers and hot dogs, smothered liberally in barbecue sauce. I had no concept of grilling things with anything other than barbecue sauce as a seasoning. And I really never thought about grilling any other kind of meat, either.

I've come so far! In the last 8 years, we've had 2 or 3 charcoal grills and 1 propane one; hosted numerous cookouts (though none in New Jersey, unfortunately); and cooked countless pork chops, chicken breasts, steaks, and vegetables outside. But by far my favorite thing is pork baby back ribs; I wait for a super-cheap sale on them ($1.99 is such a steal!), buy 2 or 3 packages, and stash them in the freezer for a nice weekend.

barbecue spice rub in a bowl, with measuring spoons

What is Barbecue? And is it Barbecue versus Barbeque?

Basically, barbecue is food that's cooked with fire outside, either over low heat or using smoke. I cook a lot, but I am NOT a barbecue expert, and so I'm not going to discuss it much. Too many people have strong opinions about barbecue.

Generally, much of the internet seems to agree that barbecue has its etymological origins in the Spanish word barbacoa, which they used to describe cooking done by Native Americans.

There's also barbecue seasoning, like this spice rub. Salt is a major component because it is a preservative; it helps cure meat, particular when meat is stored or cooked at low temperatures. (Think bacon or raw ham or salted fish, for instance.)

As for "barbecue" versus "barbeque," I don't have a strong opinion on the matter. If I had to guess, I'd assume that the spelling "barbeque" came about because the Q is attention-grabbing.

Why Should I Use a Spice Rub?

There are many ways you can season ribs, but I advocate for a spice rub for a few reasons:

  • It's hands-off; you just rub it on the ribs, and you don't have to brush them with sauce constantly.
  • Barbecue sauce is divisive. There's so many kinds. I like sweet and spicy tomato-based ones, but there's also vinegar-heavy and mustard-based ones. Spice rub skips arguments over sauce (although it may lead to a sauce-vs-rub debate).
  • Some people, myself included, hate vinegar. I happen to still like some barbecue sauces, but I have friends who don't. But they'll like this spice rub!

Ingredients for this Barbecue Spice Rub

This takes just six simple ingredients - salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, cumin, and dry whole or ground mustard seeds. You probably already have most of these in your pantry.

The benefit of making a barbecue spice rub yourself is that you can adjust the seasonings to taste. I've bought some in the past that were incredibly salty.

spices for barbecue spice rub, in a bowl

I've used table salt and the sea salt crystals that I've gotten for my salt grinder. Both work fine, and happen to weigh about the same.

I use whole black peppercorns since I grind everything together, but pre-ground pepper will work as well; it just may not be as flavorful, depending on the quality/freshness of your pepper.

Paprika - some paprika isn't very flavorful. I got mine from the Indian section in the International foods aisle in my local grocery store, so it's a little hotter. Smoked paprika is nice if you're using this spice rub to season something you roast in the oven.

I happened to have black mustard seeds from the International foods aisle, but I've used regular yellow mustard seeds in the past.

If all of your ingredients are already ground, you can simply mix together the rub. If using whole ingredients, use a coffee grinder or bullet blender (affiliate link) to grind everything together. I prefer grinding the spices together; it combines the ingredients better.

This recipe yields ¾ cups of seasoning, enough for about 4 pounds of ribs or other meat. (That's 3 tablespoons per pound.) It's peppery, a little salty, and a little hot. You can vary the amounts of salt, pepper, and paprika as you'd like. You can also just use a little less seasoning on your meat.

ground barbecue spice rub, in a bowl

Do I Need to Use Barbecue Sauce with the Spice Rub?

No! The spice rub is flavorful on its own and has all the flavor you need.

That said, if you have a barbecue sauce you'd like to use, brush it on for the last 10 minutes of grilling to give your meat a nice sheen.

What Should I Put This Spice Rub On?

Use it on just about anything you grill! It's perfect for pork ribs, brisket, and London Broil; I always coat the meat thickly with the spice rub. It should also be great on pork chops and chicken breast. I've also put this on ribs I make in the oven and on brisket in the slow cooker.

steak, on a grill, rubbed liberally with barbecue spice rub

Serve your meat with grilled potatoes or sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, or slow cooker baked beans.

Interested in other recipes? I save and share recipes I like or want to try on my Pinterest page - follow me there! You can also check out my Facebook page for more recipes and helpful tips. I'm also happy to try to help troubleshoot my recipes there.

Have you tried this recipe? Or have a question about it? Rate it or leave a comment below! (PS: rating my recipes helps other people find them, too!)

📖 Recipe

spices for barbecue spice rub, in a bowl
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!

Barbecue Spice Rub

This peppery barbecue spice rub is all you need for ribs or brisket. Rub it on thickly, then grill. This recipe will yield ¾ cup, or enough for 4 pounds of back ribs. No sauce needed!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Leona Konkel

Ingredients

  • 1.5 tablespoons salt (about 30 grams; I usually use sea salt flakes, but table salt is fine too)
  • 3 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons paprika (smoked paprika is nice here if you're making ribs in the oven)
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard seeds

Instructions

  • Grind all ingredients together in a coffee or spice grinder, or a bullet blender (affiliate link). Yields: ¾ cup, or enough for 4 pounds of meat.
  • Rub liberally on four pounds of back ribs, or on whatever meat you like. Grill or oven-roast as desired. 

Notes

You can adjust the spices in this spice rub as needed. How peppery and spicy it will be depends on the freshness and quality of your pepper and paprika.
Originally adapted from a spice rub off of cooking.com.

More Pork

  • Soy-Cola Braised Pork, plated alongside brown rice and cucumbers.
    Soy-Cola Braised Pork
  • breakfast sausage hash, on a plate, close up
    Breakfast Sausage Hash
  • spicy pork with asparagus
    Spicy Pork with Asparagus
  • fennel-crusted pork loin with potatoes and pears, on salad
    Fennel-Crusted Pork Loin with Potatoes and Pears

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Leona Konkel, November 2020

Hi, I'm Leona!

I love homemade sweets and baked goods, using real ingredients, not mixes. I also share easy-to-make meals - so that I can spend the rest of my time baking, not making dinner.

About Me

Popular

  • sesame brittle in a tin
    Homemade Sesame Brittle
  • A slice of coconut cream pie with whipped cream on top.
    Coconut Cream Pie
  • a gooey butter cookie's texture, close up
    Gooey Butter Cookies (from scratch!)
  • slice of brownie cheesecake, with a bite on a fork
    Brownie Cheesecake

Summer-Ready Recipes

  • Iced coffee from cold brew coffee concentrate, in a glass with an ice cube and a straw.
    Cold-Brew Iced Coffee Concentrate
  • slices of grilled winter squash, on a plate outside
    Easy Grilled Winter Squash
  • two margaritas outside - square image
    Classic Margarita
  • A grilled sirloin steak on a bed of salad greens topped with cashews.
    Steak Salad with Lime and Cashews

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2010-2025 Leona Konkel and Easy As Cookies (easyascookies.com).  

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Leona Konkel and Easy As Cookies (easyascookies.com) with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

barbecue spice rub, unground spices, in a bowl, and ground in a bowl - pin for pinterest
barbecue spice rub, unground spices, in a bowl - pin for pinterest