The Best Dry Rub For Ribs

If you are anything like me, then I am sure you will agree that there is nothing more satisfying than getting your hands on a freshly grilled rack of ribs. There is no sensation that matches the feeling you get when taking a bite straight into the juicy meat on some baby back ribs, covered in a sticky barbecue sauce that is simply to die for. I love it when they are so moreish that the meat begins to slide away from the bone as you pick them up and they have been seasoned so well that their sticky sweet marinade starts to trickle down the palm of your hand. Now if that’s not food heaven, I don’t know what is.

But as you know, the very best rack of ribs and lush, sticky marinade doesn’t come about on its own, and nor can a great marinade be bought from a supermarket, rather, it is the result of some labor in the kitchen, and patience when selecting and scaling out your ingredients. 

Mastering a great dry rub is an art, so you may be on the hunt for some tricks and tips to putting together a great dry rub. If that is the case, you are off to a phenomenal start reading this article!

Of course, one of the easiest things to do if you are planning on cooking a rack of ribs is to go down to your local supermarket and pick up a jar of readymade rib rub or sauce, but where’s the fun in that? You will get far better results when making your own rib rub and you can also make it in large batches so that it will tide you over for the next few barbecues to come. 

The great thing about making your own rib rub is also that you have the opportunity to personalize it, adding your favorite spices and herbs to create something you know your family will love. And trust me, there is no better feeling than having your in-laws come up to you after polishing off a set of your finger-lickingly tasty baby back ribs, asking you where you got the recipe from so that they can copy it at home – you will feel so chuffed when you can reveal to them that it is a rub that you have put together yourself!

In this article, I will go through a list of some of the best ingredients to add to your homemade rib rub with different spices you can try out to create a rub that your family will go nuts for. I will also go on to show you one of my favorite rib rub recipes so that you can try your hand at a recipe straight away. Check it out!

Dry Rub For Ribs – Some Tasty Rib Rub Ingredients

Are you dying to create your own rib rub? The good news is that it is so easy, and is simple to alter and make it your own. The best way to see what kind of rib rub you are into is to make up a few different batches of rubs and coat your ribs individually with the different flavors. Once they have finished cooking you can taste them all and see which flavor you liked the most. But remember to make a note of which rub went on which rib! 

The following are some of the basic ingredients you will need to make a basic rib rub. You can then add some of your own ingredients to the rub or substitute the ones you are not so keen on to really put your personal stamp on it:

• Sugar – demerara or another brown sugar is preferable so they are not too sweet. Sugar is a great base for any rub as it helps to create that sweet and sour taste that everyone loves. It also helps to make the ribs good and sticky.
• Salt – a must have for any rub.
• Pepper – freshly ground black pepper is fantastic for giving your ribs an extra kick without making them too spicy.
• Paprika – the perfect ingredient that will help you achieve a deep smoky flavor without the need to cook your ribs on the smoker. Get that outdoorsy cooking taste inside the kitchen – the perfect solution for cooking the best barbecue foods throughout the winter months!
• Cayenne pepper – now you will want to be careful with this one and not too liberal. Cayenne pepper is great for adding an extra kick of flavor to your rub and a whole heap of spice. You will also love the rich red color it will add to your rub.
• Red chili peppers – another great ingredient for adding some fire to your ribs, perfect for the brave and those with cast iron pallets.
• Cinnamon – a super cool spice that is popular with families and is the perfect addition for a rack of ribs to share with friends, cinnamon helps to neutralize spicy flavors and will give your ribs a sweet and spicy kick.
• Coriander – adds an herbal taste to your ribs and makes them more aromatic.

The Best Dry Rub Recipe

Now that you have had a look at some of the best ingredients to add to your rib rub, I am sure you are keen to take a peep at a recipe that will give you more of an idea of the quantities of each ingredient that you will need to make the best rub possible. One of my favorite things about rub recipes is that it is so easy to add or omit ingredients to them in order to make the recipe your own and something that will appeal to the whole family. So make sure you adjust the following recipe to suit you or, if it is your first time making your own rib rub from scratch, try it as it is – I am sure the mix of spices will leave you salivating for more!

Ingredients

Are you looking for a rib rub recipe that will yield plenty of rub for your upcoming dinner party but will also give you enough to store and enjoy the same delicious taste at a later date? If so, then you will fall head over heels for this recipe as it will yield two cups of some of the best dry rub for ribs you have tasted. Get that barbecue restaurant style flavor at home in the kitchen!

• 1 cup of demerara sugar (or any brown sugar)
• 2.5 tsp of sea salt
• 2.5 tsp of freshly ground black pepper
• 1.5 tsp of ground onion powder
• 2.5 tsp of smoked paprika
• 1.5 tbsps of dry mustard
• 1.5 tbsps of garlic powder
• 1 tsp of cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 tsp of mixed herbs

Directions

Are you ready for some of the simplest instructions out there? Then take a look at the following step for making the most awesome rub for your rack of ribs.

Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Store in an airtight container (preferably a glass jar). Use within one month.