Best Dry Rub For Ribs
On April 04, 2023 (Updated May 10, 2024)
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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
- ½ teaspoon 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.
I have tried many. Without question, this is my go to!
I made the rub last night and covered the ribs and put them in the fridge for the night got them out in the morning and in the afternoon cooked them nice and slow and all I can say is WOW that was fantastic not to strong in flavors was just great I’m glad I found your recipe thank you so much for sharing it I will definitely be saving this one ❤️
Thanks again ❤️
From Don down under
Wife cannot have ANY hot spices. Removed black pepper, cayenne, onion, and mustard. Used liquid mustard on ribs as glue. Swapped Himalyan for Kosher and Roasted Garlic for Garlic. Apple Vinegar / Apple Juice spray while smoking to keep from drying out. Wife loved it. Would never have thought of this mix without this base. Variation of 3-2-1 ribs. Keep at 225 in smoker all time. Coat ribs with mustard. Add rib rub until you can’t see the mustard. 3 hr smoke while spraying apple liquid every hour. Wrap in aluminum foil add apple liquid mix in foil under ribs. 2 hr smoke. Open foil at 1 hr and spray apple liquid. Open foil and smoke 1 more hour. Spray if needed (should not). Internal Temp 200+ else smoke longer at higher temp check often.
Yep – it’s legit. I just made as part of my “Meat Fest” party. I also rubbed some yellow mustard on the ribs before the dry rub, then used Sweet Baby Rays to glaze them at the end. Multiple people said they were the best ribs they’ve ever had.
Another excellent recipe. I made my first batch of pork spare ribs tonight using this rub recipe and they were amazing. I did make a couple alterations, I cut the amount of sugar in half, I 50/50d the garlic powder with smoked garlic powder and instead of celery salt I used garlic salt. I smoked the ribs low and slow until they hit a temp of 203 and they were so moist and tender.
I could tell my ribs were going to taste amazing just from the smell of the rub!
It don’t tell me any temperature or time to cook.
Sorry for the confusion, Don! This recipe is just for the rub itself. Check out this page to see recipes using it. They all have full, detailed instructions for cooking.
This is the best for ribs love this recipe