The only pork rib rub recipe you’ll ever need — ready in five minutes with spices from your pantry.
This balanced dry rub hits sweet and spicy notes and works beautifully on smoked pork ribs, pulled pork, and many other meats.
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Why this simple pork rib recipe is so good…
- Uses pantry staples and simple ingredients.
- Easily adjust the sweet and spicy balance to suit your taste.
- Make a large batch to keep on hand for many future smoker recipes.
- A versatile dry rub that everyone will enjoy.
Scroll to the bottom of the post for video instructions.
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients to make the pork rib rub at home.
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp salt (kosher or sea salt preferred)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne powder (add more for extra heat)
- ½ tsp mustard powder
How to make pork rib rub from scratch
This is the easiest homemade rib rub you’ll make.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until evenly blended. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for several months.
How to use pork rib rub
Apply the rub generously. For best adherence, you can lightly coat the meat with a little olive oil before rubbing.
Cover all surfaces of the meat with the rub, including top, bottom, and sides. Then cook using your preferred method — smoker, oven, or grill — until the meat reaches the desired doneness.
This rub is a versatile base; expect future variations for chicken and beef recipes.
Recipes to use homemade rib rub on…
- St. Louis smoked pork ribs
- Classic 3-2-1 ribs
- Oven-baked beef ribs
- Smoked whole chicken
- Tri tip
- Smoked baked potatoes (season the skins)
- St. Louis ribs in the oven
This dry rub works on many proteins and side dishes — get creative and try it on different cuts and preparations.
FAQs
Choose a pellet that complements your desired flavor: hickory or mesquite for a bold smoky profile, or fruit woods like apple or cherry for a milder, slightly sweet smoke.
What you need to make homemade spice blends
Basic tools and storage options make mixing and keeping dry rubs easy: a set of quality spices and airtight jars for storage will serve you well.
Easy Smoked Pork Recipes To Try
- Smoked bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin
- Pellet smoker St. Louis ribs
- Smoked meatloaf wrapped in bacon
- Smoked bacon
- Smoked pulled pork shoulder
- Traeger smoked ham
- Smoked pork belly burnt ends
Why I wrote this recipe
I love homemade BBQ sauces and rubs, and after years of making smoked pork a weekend tradition, I wanted a reliable, always-ready rib rub. This recipe is the result — simple, flexible, and great on many dishes beyond ribs.
Give it a try and tell me how you like it.
Are you a foodie, too?
Hope this guide helps you make a great DIY spice rub for ribs. Enjoy cooking and share your results on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
– Jenna
Easy Pork Rib Rub Recipe | Sip Bite Go
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp salt (kosher or sea salt preferred)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne powder (add more to make it spicy)
- ½ tsp mustard powder
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together until evenly combined. Rub generously on meat and cook as desired.
Notes
Store in an airtight container for several months. Use on ribs, pork shoulder, chicken, beef, or even vegetables.
Nutrition
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Calories: 123kcal
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Carbohydrates: 31g
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Protein: 1g
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Sodium: 3499mg
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