Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (2024)

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by Malinda Linnebur

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Homemade Dry Rub for Pork is filled with sweet and spicy flavors! It’s perfect for pork, as well as ribs, chicken, and so much more. Comes together in less than 10 minutes and features brown sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.

Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (1)

Dry Rub for Pork

In the mood for some good old-fashioned barbecue? This pork dry rub recipe is great for all types of meat including ribs, pork, chicken, steak, and even seafood. I especially love using it as a pulled pork dry rub recipe, but you can feel free to use it in a variety of dishes!

My pork spice rub is super easy to prepare and includes just a handful of simple ingredients! With just a few easy steps, you’ll have a bold homemade pork seasoning.

What’s more, this rub is pantry-friendly. You can easily double it to make a larger batch to keep on hand — just make sure to keep it in an airtight container.

This homemade dry rub for pork is perfect for all of your barbecue fixings. Try it on your own pulled pork, BBQ ribs, shredded chicken, or (my personal favorite) grilled pork chops!

Why You’ll Love This Pork Dry Rub Recipe

  • Incredibly easy to make
  • Simple ingredients
  • So versatile — perfect for so many different types of proteins!
  • Keeps for up to 2 years in the pantry
Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (2)

Key Ingredients to Make Pork Spice Rub

The ingredients list for this homemade dry spice rub recipe is incredibly short and simple! With just a handful of common ingredients found in the pantry, you’ll have a transformative spice rub in no time.

  • DARK BROWN SUGAR – I highly recommend sticking to dark brown sugar for the best, most intense flavor.
  • KOSHER SALT – The same goes for Kosher salt. You may not believe that there’s a real difference between Kosher and regular, but believe me, there is!
  • GARLIC POWDER – Would a savory spice blend be complete without a healthy helping of garlic powder? In my book, no way!
  • CHILI POWDER – For a touch of warm and earthy flavor plus mild spice, I’m using chili powder.
  • SMOKED PAPRIKA – I absolutely adore smoked paprika as it imparts a touch of smoky goodness to whatever you add it to. It’s perfect in this dry rub for pork!
  • CAYENNE POWDER – Here’s where the real heat comes from. Cayenne is spicy, so if you don’t like hot foods, you can adjust the quantities to work with your preferences.
  • BLACK PEPPER – To finish it all off with a bit more spice!
Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (3)

Instructions to Make Homemade Pork Rub

This homemade pork dry rub recipe is so easy! Get ready to dive into the amazing flavors this spice rub has to offer because you’re going to love it for your next main protein.

COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Add all of your spices and seasonings to a small bowl and mix with a whisk or fork to combine.

SPRINKLE LIBERALLY: Use this pork dry rub recipe on whatever you like! Remember that it’s an excellent pulled pork dry rub recipe, or add it to some pork chops before you throw them on the grill! Don’t stop there — it’s also so tasty on chicken and seafood. Get creative!

FAQ

What is dry rub seasoning?

Dry rub seasoning is a mixture of seasonings and flavors melded together to create the ultimate flavor profile for meats and other proteins. The seasoning usually consists of salt, garlic powder, paprika, sometimes sugar, and other savory ingredients, just like my dry rub for pork.

How long can you dry rub pork or ribs?

You can allow your pork or ribs to sit in the dry rub overnight, or up to 24 hours.

Can you leave a rub on too long?

Yes! You can absolutely leave a pork spice rub on for too long. The high salt content can cause the surface area to dry out and become “tough.”

What is the purpose of a dry rub?

The purpose of a dry rub is to give whatever you’re coating the rub with added flavor! By rubbing the protein or meat in a dry rub filled with spices and seasonings, you transfer all of those flavors to it.

How do I store leftover pork dry rub?

Store the leftovers in a mason jar, airtight bag, or other type of airtight storage container. This pork dry rub recipe should last for 1-2 years.

Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (5)

More Barbecue Recipes To Try

  • Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Quick Smoked BBQ Pork Chops
  • Sweet Dry Rub for Chicken
  • Beer Can Chicken
  • Texas Style BBQ Sauce

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you think about this homemade pork rub!

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Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (6)

Homemade Dry Rub for Pork

Course: barbecue, BBQ, Chicken, Grilling, Main Course, Pork, Sauce, Seasoning

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dry spice rub recipe for pork, dry spice rub recipe for ribs, homemade spice rub recipe

Homemade dry rub for pork is filled with sweet and spicy flavors! It's perfect for pork, as well as ribs, chicken, and so much more. Comes together in less than 10 minutes and features brown sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Calories: 521kcal

Author: Malinda Linnebur

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients

  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne powder
  • ½ tablespoon black pepper

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in a small mason jar or old spice containers or any airtight container.

  • TO USE: Sprinkle liberally on both sides of the meat before placing on the grill. Or sprinkle on meat and wrap up tightly in plastic wrap for a couple of hours (I like to do this for larger cuts of meat) before placing on the grill.

Notes

  1. When grilling with this rub you will want to grill low and slow or the brown sugar may burn
  2. I don’t recommend substituting the dark brown sugar or kosher salt in this recipe for something else

Nutrition

Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 129g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 21106mg | Potassium: 697mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 108g | Vitamin A: 5836IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 5mg

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Dry Rub Recipe for Pork (2024)

FAQs

How long should dry rub sit on pork? ›

Put a liberal amount of the dry rub on the meat you wish to season. Rub seasoning into the meat, covering entire surface. Let meat sit at least a couple of hours in order to let the spices work into it. Overnight is better.

What seasonings go best with pork? ›

Ingredients in pork rub
  • Paprika – The recipe calls for smoked paprika, ideally. ...
  • Onion and garlic powder – Sub: Double up on either if you are missing one. ...
  • Oregano – Sub: 1 tsp mixed herb, or 1/2 tsp thyme or rosemary.
  • Mustard powder – Sub: 1/4 tsp extra onion or garlic powder.
  • Cumin – Sub: Coriander powder.
Aug 18, 2021

How do you get a dry rub to stick to pork? ›

But before you begin flavoring your food, make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel. This will make it easier for the binder and rub to stick. Once you've removed as much moisture as possible, cover your food with the sticking agent of your choice, like egg, olive oil, or mustard, to help the rub bind to the meat.

What is the best binder and rub for pork? ›

It's good to add a binder, which helps the rub stick to it. This can be olive oil, yellow mustard, or a spray oil like duck fat. For pork butt I usually go with mustard. It doesn't add any flavor to the finished product, but I like the way it holds the rub and the color it gives to the exterior early in the cook.

What happens if you leave dry rub on too long? ›

As we stated earlier, most dry rubs contain salt, which has a dehydrating effect, so prolonging the seasoning may work against you if you keep it on too long.

How do you dry rub properly? ›

A dry rub can be rubbed directly into the meat and massaged until it sticks to the surface. We recommend patting your cut of meat dry using paper towels. From there, you can season directly onto the meat or apply a small amount of oil over the surface before coating generously in the dry rub.

What brings out the flavor of pork? ›

Cumin is a favourite in curries, but it also works incredibly well with pork. It is a go-to savoury spice for a reason: its distinct, earthy flavour. You wouldn't necessarily just season pork with cumin, but mixing it with other seasonings like ginger and lime can enhance the flavour significantly.

What makes pork taste better? ›

Consider Brining

Soaking your pork in a brine before cooking can help it retain moisture during the cooking process. While a simple brine of water and salt will do the trick, you can also use the brining stage to impart extra flavor with sugar and seasonings.

How do you make pork more flavorful? ›

1. Brine them for several hours. One of the easiest, simplest ways to make your pork chops more flavorful is to brine them. Brining pork chops has the added benefit of increasing the meat's moisture content as well as amping up the flavor.

Do you oil pork before seasoning? ›

The rub sticks to the meat just fine on it's own. By using oil you're slow frying the outside of the meat. Mustard is just an extra messy step.

What's the difference between a seasoning and a rub? ›

So what is the difference between a rub and a seasoning? The key differentiator between seasoning and rubs is lies in the base of ingredients: many seasonings are salt and herb based, while most bbq rubs have an equal ratio of salt to sugar.

How do you season pork before cooking? ›

Ingredients: Paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper. Instructions: Mix the spices in a dish and rub the mixture onto the pork steaks. Allow them to sit for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.

How long should rub be on pork before cooking? ›

After seasoning with salt and pepper, liberally coat all sides of the pork with the barbeque rub so that all of the meat is coated in rub. Wrap the pork tightly in plastic wrap and let it sit in your fridge overnight. About 6 hours before you plan on smoking, take the pork out of the fridge and unwrap it.

How to make pork extremely tender? ›

To tenderize pork before cooking it, try breaking up the tough muscle by hitting it with a meat mallet evenly across the surface of the meat. Then, if you want your pork to be extra tender, you can marinate it in a tenderizing marinade made with acids, like citrus juices, vinegar, or wine.

How far in advance should you dry rub? ›

You can apply a rub right before you cook or a few hours ahead of time for basic grilling or up to 24 hours ahead if you're hot-smoking.

How long should a dry rub be on pork ribs before cooking? ›

FAQ. How long should dry rub be on ribs before cooking? Anywhere from 15 minutes to 48 hours. You'll want the dry rub to sit on the ribs for at least 15 minutes to tenderize the meat and draw out the moisture, but you can refrigerate the ribs coated in the dry rub for up to 48 hours.

Can you let dry rub sit? ›

Let the Dry Rub Sit on the Meat to Add Flavor. There is no doubt that you can begin cooking the meat as soon as the dry rub has been applied, however, to get the most flavor, it is recommended that the dry rub be left on the surface of the meat for at least an hour or so before cooking.

How long does it take to dry pork skin in the fridge? ›

If time allows, leave the scored roast uncovered in the fridge for 1 hour, or ideally overnight. This process further dries the rind and aids the crackling process. When you're ready to cook, put your pork on a wire rack in the sink and pour a jug of boiling water over the rind. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towel.

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