Use this Pork Rub as a dry rub for ribs, or on pork chops, pork tenderloin or pulled pork. This pork chop seasoning is quick and easy to make and so flavorful! It’s also delicious on chicken.

Pork rub in a small glass bowl with a spoon.

One of our favorite meals is grilled pork chops, and this pork rub is one of our favorite ways to season them. When you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe, pork is one of my favorite choices because there are so many delicious and easy ways to prepare it.

And a BBQ rub adds so much flavor. This rub is delicious whether you’re cooking baked pork chops, pork ribs, or pulled pork.

This pork rub recipe couldn’t be simpler. If you keep your kitchen stocked with common spices and seasonings, you probably have everything that you need to make this pork dry rub.

You can mix up a batch when you need it, or make this seasoning blend ahead of time so it’s ready to go for quick meals. It’s delicious on chicken, too!

How to Make a Dry Rub

A good dry rub includes a combination of sweet and savory ingredients. To make this dry rub, you’ll stir or whisk together all of the ingredients until they are fully combined. If there are any lumps in the mixture, use a fork or the back of a spoon to break them up.

Ingredients for dry rub.

Brown sugar is a key ingredient in this recipe. The brown sugar adds sweetness to balance out the savory flavors. It also helps to form a caramelized crust on grilled meats.

You’ll also need paprika for this recipe. You can use sweet paprika or smoked paprika, depending on your preference. I prefer the flavor of sweet paprika. If you want a smoky flavor, smoked paprika is recommended.

Spicy BBQ Rub

If you want some spice to your meat, you can add a little bit of chipotle chili powder or cayenne pepper to the rub. A little goes a long way, especially with cayenne pepper, so I recommend starting with just 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon.

The rub recipe includes chili powder, which is typically only mildly spicy and adds more of a savory flavor than heat.

Using this Pork Rub

First, pat your meat dry and then rub a generous amount of the seasoning mixture on all sides of the meat. This recipe makes about 5 tablespoons of rub, which is more than enough for 4 large pork chops, a large pork shoulder or two racks of pork ribs.

Use this BBQ rub on pork chops, pork tenderloin, ribs, pulled pork, or chicken. It’s also delicious on salmon and steak!

Pork chops on the grill.

How long should you marinate with a dry rub

You can cook your meat right away after coating it in the dry rub. But for the best flavor, I recommend allowing the meat to marinate in the rub for at least one hour and up to 12 hours. Keep the meat in the refrigerator as it marinates.

How long does dry pork rub last?

Since this dry rub is just a mixture of spices, it will last for quite a while. If you use fresh spices and seasonings, you can store the pork rub for about 6 months. Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, such as a kitchen cupboard.

Grilled pork chops seasoned with BBQ rub.

Pork rub in a small glass bowl with a spoon.
4.88 from 8 ratings

Pork Rub

Servings: 5 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Use this Pork Rub as a dry rub for ribs, on pork chops, pork tenderloin or pulled pork. This pork chop seasoning is quick and easy to make and so flavorful! It's also delicious on chicken.
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika, sweet or smoked
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk or stir until well blended.
  • Generously rub over pork chops, pork tenderloin, pork shoulder or ribs before cooking. For the most flavor, let the rub marinate on the meat for at least 1 hour (and up to 12 hours) in the refrigerator before cooking. This seasoning is also delicious on chicken and perfect for making pulled pork.

Notes

  • Recipe makes more than enough rub to season 4 large bone-in pork chops, or a large pork shoulder or two racks of pork ribs.
  • Store extra pork rub in an airtight container for up to 6 months in a cool, dry place.
Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 29kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 494mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 868IU, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: Seasoning
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