This rib rub recipe has been perfected over many years of my husband and father taste testing. Ribs are one of my husband’s favorite things to eat, so he knows a good rub when he tastes one. The preference in our household is a little sweet, a little spicy, and definitely smokey. You can adjust this recipe for what suits your tastebuds, but these measurements are the way we love it!
What makes this recipe different…
The key in this recipe is SMOKED paprika. Once I switched to using smoked paprika instead of regular, it was game over. The sweetness from the brown sugar gives it some warmth and depth, and the smokey flavor of the spices is the perfect mix. Adding the ground mustard adds the perfect zing to the rub!
We pair this with one of our favorite BBQ sauces, their Carolina flavor is amazing too!
Rib Rub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a dish and mix
- Rub on both sides of ribs and let sit for 30 minutes (up to 24 hours) before smoking
TIP:
I do the “3,2,1” method on my ribs, but instead make it a 2,2,1 method. The 3,2,1 tends to be a bit too long in my opinion, and you do NOT want to dry your ribs out! Follow the steps below…
- 2 hours smoking ribs at 225 degrees F
- 2 hours smoking ribs wrapped in foil (I add some liquid in the foil pouches)
- 1 hour out of the foil packets back on the rack with your BBQ sauce brushed on (you can do this step for 30 min)
Made this recipe when my family came to visit over the weekend. Everyone LOVED it!!!
Aww that’s awesome, so glad to hear that!!
LOVED every bite!! My husband couldn’t get enough. He also is a big smoked rib guy and he loved how these ribs could be eaten dry or with BBQ sauce. Perfect recipe for BOTH dry or wet ribs. Thank you!
Thank you Maggie!! That’s great to hear, I’m glad he loved them!