Best Dry Rub For Ribs
On April 04, 2023
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This dry rub for ribs will amplify the flavor on any rack of ribs you cook. I’ve packed classic BBQ flavors into my rib rub recipe so you get finger-licking results!
Dry Rub for Ribs
Every rack of ribs needs a good seasoning blend, and this dry rub for ribs is the ULTIMATE seasoning. Trust me on this. This post is consistently our #1 post on the entire Hey Grill Hey site because it is complete and utter perfection.
I’ve been smoking and grilling ribs for years and wanted to create a dry rub for ribs that was versatile enough to use in any rib application. This spice mix is the perfect mix of sweet and savory with some secret ingredients that add punch and pizazz so you can amp up that BBQ flavor, no matter how you’re cooking your ribs. This rib rub is fantastic on its own, you don’t even need sauce!
Rib Rub
Let’s talk about the building blocks of a good rib rub. I think the best rib rubs start with sugar as a base. Pork and sweet were just made to go together. From there, you’ll see recipes with salt and pepper plus a mix of things that are custom to each pitmaster. I like to add in smoked paprika for a boost of wood-fired flavor as well as a gorgeous red color that pops. Onion and garlic are classic flavor enhancers. Ground mustard ends up in almost all of my rubs as a punchy, almost acidic note of brightness.
My secret ingredients in my rib rub are cinnamon and celery salt. The cinnamon adds this lip-smacking quality that people can’t identify when eating it, but it keeps them coming back for more and more. The celery salt is the perfect earthy balance to the sweet brown sugar. Balance is crucial in a good dry rub for ribs!
This rib rub has been so popular on the site, we decided to bottle it up and sell it in the Hey Grill Hey Store. If you want to save yourself some time, snag a bottle of this amazing Hey Grill Hey Rib Rub shipped directly to your door!
Ingredients for Rib Rub
Here’s exactly what you’ll need to snag from the pantry or the store to make this dry rub for ribs:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Once you have all your ingredients assembled, combine them all in a mixing bowl, using a fork to break up any clumps.
Store your rib rub in air-tight glass containers (I buy ones like these online) and they will last at least a month. You may need to shake or mix to break up and brown sugar clumps.
More Dry Rub Recipes
Making your own rubs at home is easy and delicious. Check out some other homemade rubs from Hey Grill Hey below.
Rib Rub Recipe
Follow the recipe, and let’s make some really good food! Hey Grill Hey is here to help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a BBQ hero. Head on over to Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! for more behind-the-scenes action!
This post was originally published in December 2018. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
Best Dry Rub for Ribs
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Make the rub. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Use a fork to crush any clumps of sugar or seasonings.
- Use or store. Store in an airtight container for up to a month.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Ribs on the Konodo Joe using this rub. The best ever.
I made this without changes. I put it on a rack of beef ribs and have decided this will be my go-to rub. Can’t wait to use it on some pork ribs, it’s VERY good! Thanks for sharing.
Funny, I used a different recipe, but lacked a couple of ingredients, and put in a couple I did have.
And all the ingredients ended up being the same as this one.
I used it on a rack of baby back ribs, put a bit of apple cider vinegar across the top for marinade about 45 minutes, wrapped in foil and cooked on grill for about an hour and 10 minutes, and it was excellent!
No fuss, no adding anything once on grill.
So now I can save this one! Thank you!
I’ve used this recipe several times! It works great on any pork or chicken!
I love your rubs and following your recipes for making my own.. Your Apple Jalapeno BBQ sauce on Pulled pork was the best.
Been using this rub exclusively on my ribs for about a year now. I love it and so does the rest of my family, don’t see the need to ever change it.
Question: Is this suitable for beef ribs. I know you say all ribs but just checking. I had to mortgage my house to buy a load of beef shortribs and want them to be perfect!
Yes to beef ribs!
I am on my second triple batch of this dry rub. We use it on ribs and pulled pork and we have also used it on grilled jalapeno poppers. It’s so good and I love making my own rubs! Thanks for the great recipe!
Delicious! I did half the amount of cinnamon listed and loved it. Everyone enjoyed. Will make again. Salted the ribs first, then coated with yellow mustard, then pressed 2 tbsp of rub into 1 rack of ribs. I skipped the salt in the rub. Used ACV under the bones, double wrapped in foil at 275 for 3 hours – might try 2 hours next time. It was complaining fall out the bone tender. Then unwrap, BBQ sauce glaze for another 30min. Voila!
This is the ONLY rib rub recipe I will ever use!! Always my go to. It makes the ribs taste incredible!
Fantastic Rub! Love the cinnamon in it.