This all-purpose BBQ seasoning recipe adds a smoky southern barbecue flavor to everything from grilled chicken to pork ribs, turkey, shrimp, tofu, and even vegetables. We love this house blend because you can add it to just about anything, whether you're smoking, roasting, pan-searing, or grilling. And it's a great gift to give your friends.
What Spices are in BBQ Seasoning?
BBQ Dry rub spice is a smoky spice blend made of a combination of dried spices, herbs, and sometimes sugar. It often includes cumin, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, hot paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, ground mustard, and even cayenne and chili seasoning for a little extra kick. Making it yourself at home means you get to customize it just the way you like it.
Why You'll Love This BBQ Spice Rub Recipe
- It's a perfect blend for adding BBQ flavor to any meat or vegetables
- Makes enough for several meals and less expensive than store-bought versions
- Uses basic pantry spices you probably already have on hand
- It takes 3 minutes to make
How Do You Make Homemade Barbecue Seasoning?
Making homemade BBQ dry rub is as easy as mixing a few spices together and storing them in an airtight container. You can double or triple the amount to get you through spring and summer (or fall and winter if you enjoy the taste of summer when it's freezing outside).
The Best Homemade BBQ Rub Ingredients
For this BBQ seasoning recipe, I wanted to provide measurements for a ½ recipe and a full recipe in order to give you more options. This way, you can make a ½ recipe first without using up so much of your dried spices. Then, if you love it as much as we do, you make the full recipe.
BBQ Spice Dry Rub Half Recipe Measurements:
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika (14g)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (12g)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder (2g)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika (3g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (2g)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground (2g)
- ½ teaspoon cumin (1g)
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard (1.5g)
Best Ways to Use Homemade BBQ Dry Rub
Now that you've decided to make this super-easy BBQ rub, here are a few delicious ways to use it.
Let's get started!
Print📖 Recipe
Homemade BBQ Spice Rub (Memphis-Style Barbecue Rub)
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 6 Tablespoons
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This all-purpose BBQ seasoning recipe adds a smoky barbecue flavor to everything from grilled chicken, to pork ribs, turkey, shrimp, tofu, and even vegetables. We love this house blend because you can add it to just about anything whether you're smoking, roasting, pan-searing, or grilling. And it's a great gift to give your friends.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika (14g)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (12g)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder (2g)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika (3g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (2g)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground (2g)
- ½ teaspoon cumin (1g)
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard (1.5g)
Instructions
- Make the BBQ dry rub seasoning. Combine all the spices and stir well. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make a spicy bbq rub by adding up to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- I don't add any salt to my blend because it allows me to use the rub with more versatility, however, if you do want to add salt to your BBQ blend, add 1 tablespoon (12g) to the ½ recipe and add 2 tablespoons (24g) to the full (aka double recipe) recipe measurements below.
BBQ RUB RECIPE MEASUREMENTS FOR DOUBLE RECIPE
- 4 tablespoons smoked paprika (28g)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (24g)
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon onion powder (4g)
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika (6g)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder (4g)
- 2 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground (4g)
- 1 teaspoon cumin (2g)
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard (3g)
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Spice Blends
- Method: Mix & Stir
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 teaspoon
Made the Recipe? Tell Us What You Think!