You don’t have to buy a barbecue rub from the grocery store to elevate chicken, pork, and beef dishes. Instead, you make your own using spices you likely already have in your pantry. Find out how to make a BBQ Spice Rub with a handful of readily available ingredients. Then you can whip up a batch and store it so it’ll be ready the next time you barbecue.
Ingredients For BBQ Spice Rub
You only need eight ingredients to make this delicious BBQ spice rub. Go through your pantry and grab:
- A half-cup of brown sugar
- A half-cup of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of:
- Ground black pepper
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
How to Make the Spice Rub
This spice rub is so simple to make; you’ll wonder why you’ve purchased rubs in the past. You need to put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them. Once everything is combined, the rub is ready to use.
Storing the Spice Rub
You can store the spice rub in the pantry or the freezer. If you want to store it in the pantry, place it in an air-tight container. Make sure it’s sealed, and then put it in the pantry.
If you want to store it in the freezer, put it in a sealable plastic bag. Once sealed, place it in the freezer so it’ll be ready the next time you need it.
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Using the Spice Rub
You can use this spice rub on your favorite meats. Rub it on, and then let it sit for a bit, so it penetrates the meat. If possible, leave it on for a few hours so the meat will have a smoky and sweet flavor throughout. However, if you’re ready to throw the meat on the grill, you can rub it on without letting it sit. The flavors won’t penetrate quite as much, but they’ll still create that smoky sweetness you want with your barbecue.
This spice rub is so versatile that you can use it on other items as well. For instance, lots of people add it to popcorn. You can sprinkle it on, but it’s even better if you cook the popcorn in oil first. Then the spice rub will stick to the oil when you sprinkle it on the popcorn.
As with any recipe, you can make changes if you wish. For example, you can leave out the cayenne pepper if you want a little less heat or add some cumin to change the flavor profile. Explore a bit to find the perfect flavor for your family. Then break it out each time you barbecue.