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’ve tried so many other spices , this is the best ever thanks so much great ribs
Tried this rub recipe tonight and it was fabulous!! I baked my ribs slow and low for about 2 1/2 hours….they were tender flavorful and moist. Thank you!
Great stuff. We’ve used this several times. I double the recipe for 3 racks of baby back ribs so we’re definitely using more than 2 tbsp per rack, but they turn out fantastic. Thank you!
I have 12 ribs I made rub & put in refrig over night how long do I bake them in the oven & what temperature please. Thanks in advance.
You can follow the directions for these 321 Ribs for your oven. You can also follow the same directions for most my Ribs recipes for your oven.
Your rub recipe sounds good. Don’t understand the cinnamon though. I’ll experiment adding it to my rub.
We have used this twice on spare ribs (smoked on a traeger) and will not be trying any other rub! Great flavors (the cinnamon!). Super delicious and easy to pull together with spices on hand.
Trying your rib rub for the first time on 2 racks of baby back ribs
Will cook using the 2-2-1 method.
Wish me luck.
First time with baby back ribs !!
Thanks guys, I have been using this for years as my go to, probably should have rated earliet
What is an excellent smoker for home use? BTW affordable for me. Is less than $500.00
The Weber Smoker Mountain is a good smoker for charcoal, mine is a 22 inch but they come in 18 and 14 inch I believe, you can smoke with or without water pan. I just smoked a turkey using the direct heat method without water in the pan, turned out real good, I gave $350.00 for mine and I think they offer a gas version to, check out there web site, lots of good info.
Hello. This is the best rub recipe I have ever made and had the pleasure of eating. We both just loved the flavors. It truly is an excellent rub. Thank you