Best Dry Rub For Ribs
On April 04, 2023 (Updated March 28, 2025)
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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.
Best Ever!! So easy and tastes fabulous.
So good on pork chops and ribs! My new go too!
This sounds a bit wierd but I found letting the rub sit overnight before using makes the flavors more prolific.
Very good!
Thank you!
Where are the cooking instructions for this dry rub pork ribs recipe ?
Hey, good question. This recipe is actually just for the rub itself. Check out the ribs section of the site for all my rib recipes you can cook with this rub.
I’m new to using rubs. Once I’ve made the rub how heavily do I apply it ?
Once applied, do I have to allow the ribs to marinate before grilling ? If marinating is required, do the ribs marinate at room temperature or refrigerated ?
Lastly, if marinating is required how long do the ribs marinate ?
Great questions! This is a dry rub, so you can apply it right to the ribs after prepping. You can also use various binders (like mustard). Check out the Ribs Section on the site for all kinds of grilling and smoking methods.
Put this rub on my ribs worked great thank you.
Adding cinnamon was a horrible idea. I will not do that again.
It’s always good to experiment with a new recipe. If you see an ingredient you’re not sure about, try starting with just a pinch of something, rather than the full amount, to see if you like it or not. Don’t use the full amount, if it doesn’t sound good for your family’s taste. That’s was cooking is all about–trying new things!!!
Good spicy and sweet rub. Heavy on the sweet
My go to rib rub. So delicious!!! I also have used it on chicken…also delicious!!!
Can ribs be marinated overnite? Usually ribs are marinated for 2 – 3 hours but I need to make an early lunch so was wondering about preparing the night before.
Love the dry rub r
You can go overnight, up to 24 hours.