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.
I’m going to try this rub this weekend. I haven’t done much smoking of ribs, so my question is how much rub do I apply to each rack if ribs (3) and do I apply it to both sides?
Apply liberally to both sides! Cover them in rub!
Tried this rub last week without the celery salt cuz I didn’t have any. The ribs were wonderful. This time I added the celery salt. I like it much better without it. I found it overpowering. I’m going to continue using the rub minus the celery salt.
How many racks of ribs is this recipe good for?
You could probably get away with 2-3 racks with the amounts in this recipe.
Can I just bake the ribs, I don’t have access toa smoke or grill? If yes to baking in the oven how long and at what temperature to get a nice smoky dry rub taste
Yes! Same time and temperature in the oven!
Thank you. Making them now. Looking forward to trying them.
Mixed up this rub last week and smoked 2 racks of babyback ribs on my Traeger. 2 hours @ 200, put them in trays with some apple juice, mustard and bourbon, covered and then smoked for another 3 hours at 225. Took them out, basted with BBQ sauce, back on the grill out of the wrap and these were BY FAR, the BEST ribs I’ve ever had. Thanks for the rub recipe, I’m doing 6 racks this Sunday!
That sounds amazing Brian!! Way to nail it!
What flavor wood did you use to smoke
Was just looking to start Christmas
Loved all three of these ideas.
Have a food allergy to mustard and cayenne. What would be a good substitute for those?
I don’t know of anything that will sub for those very well. Your best bet may just be to leave them out of the rub.
Do you let your ribs rest over night with rub on it or just put it on right before cooking?
I put the rub on right before cooking!
Great taste great rub The moping of the meat makes it not dry out . My ribs were right on point . Thanx for the rub combo of flavors
I’m so glad you nailed them!
Could this be used on a Boston butt?
Yes it can!!
I use the rub and refrigerate for 12 hours then use a grill mat and elevate the pork on onion half’s and cook at 225 on grill for 4 hrs then souse for 30 min
Wow
I used on Boston butt it turned out amazing too!!!
This is the rub I’ve used for years and in my opinion it is the best you’ll find!!