The Best BBQ Rub Recipes

Spare Rib Rub

This is a sweet and savory rub works well on pork ribs. You can adjust the heat by changing the amount of cayenne. 

Memphis BBQ Rub

In Memphis, the rub is the most important ingredient aside from the meat. Often ribs are served with only a rub and without sauce. This means that this barbecue rub has to provide all the flavor to make Memphis-style barbecue. This rub starts with a generous portion of paprika and then builds a slightly spicy but definitely savory profile to help you make the most of your barbecue. This Memphis rub is particularly good on ribs but can be used on any smoked meats.

Authentic Texas-Style Brisket Dry Rub

This Texas-style dry rub recipe is an easy way to spice up beef brisket. In true Tex-Mex style, this rub gets a kick from cayenne pepper and hot chili powder. Adjust the heat to your liking, but be sure to retain some of the heat from the chiles or it won't be an authentic Southwestern-style rub.

Porker's Rib Seasoning

This rub is perfect for all kinds of pork whether it's ribs or Carolina-style pulled pork. One tip: If you apply your spice rub too early before you start cooking it will cause the pork to develop a ham-like flavor and not in a good way. So apply this rub right before the pork hits the smoker.

Beef Rib Rub

This rub combines the flavors of sweet and heat. You can adjust the heat by using mild or medium chili powder. If you really want to make spice it up, then add an extra tablespoon of cayenne. This is a perfect rub for great BBQ beef ribs.

Cajun Seasoning Rub

Blackening is a classic Cajun cooking technique that adds complex flavor and dark color. Traditionally, it's used to generously coat fish fillets before frying in a very hot cast-iron skillet, but crusty exterior filled with flavor is just what we want on our ribs. This same technique is appropriate for chicken and other seafood like shrimp or scallops.

Cajun cuisine is known for its aromatic character and bold flavors, which is the perfect addition to any rack of ribs. Filled with French, African, and American influences, true Cajun cooking is not just spice and heat, but a delicious interpretation of local ingredients and culture into hearty and filling dishes.

Kansas City Rib Rub

In Kansas City, they know BBQ ribs. This is the barbecue rub recipe for traditional Kansas City-style ribs. Finish these ribs off with a good barbecue sauce and you'll have a fantastic meal.

Achiote (Annatto) Paste

Achiote paste is a popular coloring and flavoring in Central American, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines and is made with annatto seeds, cumin, pepper, coriander, oregano, cloves, and garlic. It adds an earthy, somewhat sweet and spicy, slightly smokey flavor and can be used as a sauce, marinade, or rub for meat, chicken, and fish.

Cajun Blackened Seasoning

Blackening is a classic Cajun cooking technique that adds complex flavor and dark color. Traditionally, it's used to generously coat fish fillets before frying in a very hot cast-iron skillet, but crusty exterior filled with flavor is just what we want on our ribs. This same technique is appropriate for chicken and other seafood like shrimp or scallops.

Mustard Rub

A classic wet mustard rub that really sticks to the meat. You can use different types of mustard in this recipe in order to change the flavor of the rub.