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 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.
Excellent rub, best I have found so far. Used it last night to smoke a rack. Excellent flavor and no sauce needed. Did not go the full route of your smoking suggestions but I am sure they are great. Thanks for sharing your recipes and glad they have brought your family success, keep up the delicious work, it is much appreciated!
Loved it on the pellet smoker!! I would add liquid smoke to the pat down with the olive oil to up the smoke since I had Spanish paprika instead of smoke paprika– and I oopsed the cinnamon. I’m gonna add ginger next time since it goes hand in hand with cinnamon, and this was delicious!!
I haven’t made ribs in years. So, I searched for ideas on how to season and came across your rub. Soooo tasty!!! It made me feel like I was an experienced bbq-er. Lol! It think it’s a keeper. Two thumbs up heygrillhey!
I’ll try it for SuperBowl…. 5 racks in my Weber smoker…
Will let you know !!!
Great rib rub — nice blend of spices.
This rub was outstanding! I didn’t have celery salt or mustard but will definitely try it next time but I really don’t know how it could get any better! I look forward to trying what you use on your steaks as well! Thank you for a fabulous recipe!
Seriously an outstanding rub. I have use this on ribs and also on tritip and it is amazing.
Can you cook the ribs on a pellet grill without using the 3-2-1 method. We really dont care for the ribs to be cooked with the sauce on them. We enjoy the flavor of the ribs without the sauce. If not using that method should I still spritz? Thanks and really enjoy all of your cooking. I was introduced to you on FB and plan on joining the grill squad soon. Thanks Art from central Florida
Absolutely! If you don’t like sauce, just don’t put any on them.
Can you make the ribs in a slow cooker?
I’m sure you can!
This a very nice dry rub. So easy and fast to prepare.