Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (2024)

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September 7, 2023May 11, 2017 by Malinda Linnebur

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Homemade Dry Rub for Pork is filled with sweet and spicy flavors! It’s perfect for pork, as well as ribs, chicken, and so much more. Comes together in less than 10 minutes and features brown sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.

Dry Rub for Pork

In the mood for some good old-fashioned barbecue? This pork dry rub recipe is great for all types of meat including ribs, pork, chicken, steak, and even seafood. I especially love using it as a pulled pork dry rub recipe, but you can feel free to use it in a variety of dishes!

My pork spice rub is super easy to prepare and includes just a handful of simple ingredients! With just a few easy steps, you’ll have a bold homemade pork seasoning.

What’s more, this rub is pantry-friendly. You can easily double it to make a larger batch to keep on hand — just make sure to keep it in an airtight container.

This homemade dry rub for pork is perfect for all of your barbecue fixings. Try it on your own pulled pork, BBQ ribs, shredded chicken, or (my personal favorite) grilled pork chops!

Why You’ll Love This Pork Dry Rub Recipe

Incredibly easy to make
Simple ingredients
So versatile — perfect for so many different types of proteins!
Keeps for up to 2 years in the pantry

Key Ingredients to Make Pork Spice Rub

The ingredients list for this homemade dry spice rub recipe is incredibly short and simple! With just a handful of common ingredients found in the pantry, you’ll have a transformative spice rub in no time.

DARK BROWN SUGAR – I highly recommend sticking to dark brown sugar for the best, most intense flavor.
KOSHER SALT – The same goes for Kosher salt. You may not believe that there’s a real difference between Kosher and regular, but believe me, there is!
GARLIC POWDER – Would a savory spice blend be complete without a healthy helping of garlic powder? In my book, no way!
CHILI POWDER – For a touch of warm and earthy flavor plus mild spice, I’m using chili powder.
SMOKED PAPRIKA – I absolutely adore smoked paprika as it imparts a touch of smoky goodness to whatever you add it to. It’s perfect in this dry rub for pork!
CAYENNE POWDER – Here’s where the real heat comes from. Cayenne is spicy, so if you don’t like hot foods, you can adjust the quantities to work with your preferences.
BLACK PEPPER – To finish it all off with a bit more spice!

Instructions to Make Homemade Pork Rub

This homemade pork dry rub recipe is so easy! Get ready to dive into the amazing flavors this spice rub has to offer because you’re going to love it for your next main protein.

COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Add all of your spices and seasonings to a small bowl and mix with a whisk or fork to combine.

SPRINKLE LIBERALLY: Use this pork dry rub recipe on whatever you like! Remember that it’s an excellent pulled pork dry rub recipe, or add it to some pork chops before you throw them on the grill! Don’t stop there — it’s also so tasty on chicken and seafood. Get creative!

FAQ

What is dry rub seasoning?

Dry rub seasoning is a mixture of seasonings and flavors melded together to create the ultimate flavor profile for meats and other proteins. The seasoning usually consists of salt, garlic powder, paprika, sometimes sugar, and other savory ingredients, just like my dry rub for pork.

How long can you dry rub pork or ribs?

You can allow your pork or ribs to sit in the dry rub overnight, or up to 24 hours.

Can you leave a rub on too long?

Yes! You can absolutely leave a pork spice rub on for too long. The high salt content can cause the surface area to dry out and become “tough.”

What is the purpose of a dry rub?

The purpose of a dry rub is to give whatever you’re coating the rub with added flavor! By rubbing the protein or meat in a dry rub filled with spices and seasonings, you transfer all of those flavors to it.

How do I store leftover pork dry rub?

Store the leftovers in a mason jar, airtight bag, or other type of airtight storage container. This pork dry rub recipe should last for 1-2 years.

More Barbecue Recipes To Try

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Quick Smoked BBQ Pork Chops
Sweet Dry Rub for Chicken
Beer Can Chicken
Texas Style BBQ Sauce

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you think about this homemade pork rub!

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Homemade Dry Rub for Pork

Course: barbecue, BBQ, Chicken, Grilling, Main Course, Pork, Sauce, Seasoning

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dry spice rub recipe for pork, dry spice rub recipe for ribs, homemade spice rub recipe

Homemade dry rub for pork is filled with sweet and spicy flavors! It's perfect for pork, as well as ribs, chicken, and so much more. Comes together in less than 10 minutes and features brown sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Calories: 521kcal

Author: Malinda Linnebur

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Ingredients

½ cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne powder
½ tablespoon black pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in a small mason jar or old spice containers or any airtight container.
TO USE: Sprinkle liberally on both sides of the meat before placing on the grill. Or sprinkle on meat and wrap up tightly in plastic wrap for a couple of hours (I like to do this for larger cuts of meat) before placing on the grill.

Notes

When grilling with this rub you will want to grill low and slow or the brown sugar may burn
I don’t recommend substituting the dark brown sugar or kosher salt in this recipe for something else

Nutrition