The Best Dry Rub for Ribs (Easy)

5 from 34 votes

The Best Dry Rub for Ribs (Easy)

This recipe for the Best Dry Rub for Ribs is spicy, sweet, and bold. It’s the perfect way to take plain ribs to the next level! Bonus – this is one homemade rib rub you can double for another batch of ribs.

Prep Time2

Total Time2

Course: Sauce/Dip

Cuisine: American

Servings: -4 pounds of ribs

Author: Brianna May

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons smoked paprika*
2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon granulated garlic
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons ground mustard
1 Tablespoon Morton kosher salt*
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, Chinese five spice, white pepper, and/or cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, granulated garlic, onion powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Store in an airtight container.
2 Tablespoons smoked paprika*, 2 Tablespoons chili powder, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon granulated garlic, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons ground mustard, 1 Tablespoon Morton kosher salt*, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, Chinese five spice, white pepper, and/or cayenne pepper, optional

Notes

Smoked Paprika: Be sure to use smoked paprika and NOT regular paprika. Smoked paprika has a lot more flavor and adds smoky notes to the pork.
Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
Use fresh spices. It’s best to use fresh spices when making a dry rub for pork ribs, as they offer the best flavor. While you can use spices that have been in your pantry for a while, you'll notice a much more subtle taste. With fresh spices, this recipe provides a bolder, more delicious flavor.
Adjust the heat to your preference. If you have a low heat tolerance, skip the cayenne pepper in this recipe. You may even want to decrease the amount of chili powder in the spice mixture. Taste the mixture before adding more spicy seasonings.
Use for oven, Dutch oven, and grilling recipes. Dry rubs are ideal for proteins that will be cooked at high temperatures for a short amount of time. You'll have the best dish by using this best dry rub for ribs recipe when cooking in an oven, Dutch oven, or grill.

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