10 Best Homemade Rub For Ribs (2024 Update)

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If you're a fan of BBQ ribs, then you know that the seasoning is just as important as the cooking process. While store-bought rubs can be convenient, there's nothing quite like a homemade rub for ribs. The beauty of making your own rub is that you can customize the flavor to your liking and avoid any unnecessary additives.

Before you dive into making your own rub, there are a few key points to keep in mind. These tips will help you create a delicious and flavorful rub that will take your ribs to the next level.

1. Consider the Flavor Profile: Before you start throwing spices together, think about the flavor profile you want to achieve. Do you want your ribs to be sweet, spicy, or savory? Once you have a general idea, you can start selecting spices that will complement each other.

2. Choose Quality Spices: The quality of your spices can make a big difference in the final product. Look for fresh, high-quality spices that will add depth and complexity to your rub.

3. Balance the Flavors: A good rub should have a balance of flavors. You don't want any one spice to overpower the others. Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning as needed.

4. Customize to Your Taste: Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and ratios until you find the perfect blend for your taste buds.

5. Store Properly: Once you've made your rub, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. This will help preserve the freshness and flavor of your spices.

By keeping these key points in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a homemade rub for ribs that will have your friends and family begging for the recipe.

10 Best Homemade Rub For Ribs

1. Savory Spice Platte River Rib Rub: Smoky & Sweet Bbq Rub For Ribs, Chicken & Beef (2.7 Oz)

Savory Spice Platte River Rib Rub is a versatile seasoning that can be used to enhance the flavor of a wide range of meats, including chicken, pork, steak, turkey, and ribs. This rub is a perfect blend of paprika, chili powder, toasted onion, and hickory smoke flavor. It is handcrafted to ensure a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, with a hint of smokiness.

This dry rub is easy to use and requires only 1-2 teaspoons per pound of meat. Simply rub the seasoning thoroughly into the meat for maximum flavor. If desired, reapply the rub toward the end of grilling to enhance the flavor even more. The result is a mouthwatering, juicy, and flavorful meat that will make your taste buds dance.

In addition to using the Platte River Rib Rub as a dry rub, it can also be mixed with tomato sauce or ketchup to create a delicious homemade barbecue sauce. To make the sauce, mix 1-2 tablespoons of the rub with one cup of tomato sauce or ketchup. This sauce is perfect for basting the meat during grilling or as a dipping sauce.

The Platte River Rib Rub is a perfect blend of spices that creates a unique flavor profile for any meat. The paprika-based rub is bittersweet, sweet and salty, peppery, aromatic, and sweet-spiced with smoky notes. The savory and sweet flavors of this rub will make your meat irresistible and leave your guests asking for more.

This rub comes in a medium-sized jar with a net weight of 2.7 oz, making it a perfect addition to any kitchen. The jar is easy to store and can be used multiple times. It is a must-have for any grilling enthusiast or home cook who wants to create delicious and flavorful meals for family and friends.

In conclusion, the Savory Spice Platte River Rib Rub is a perfect blend of spices that can be used to enhance the flavor of any meat. Its unique flavor profile, easy-to-use application, and versatility make it a must-have for any kitchen. Whether you are grilling or making homemade barbecue sauce, this rub is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

2. 2 Gringos Chupacabra Ribnoxious Rib Rub, 25 Ounces

Introducing the 2 Gringos Chupacabra Ribnoxious Rib Rub, a versatile seasoning blend that elevates the taste of any type of meat. This seasoning comes in a 25-ounce bottle with a dual door spice cap, making it easy to use and customize for all your recipes.

Formulated with a perfect blend of spices, this seasoning is ideal for poultry but can also be used for other meats. Whether you are grilling, smoking, or roasting, this seasoning will add a burst of flavor to your dishes.

The 25-ounce packaging is deliberately designed for back of house usage and recipe customization. The larger bottle size provides ample room for shaking and mixing the ingredients, ensuring that the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout your dish.

Made with the finest quality ingredients, the 2 Gringos Chupacabra Ribnoxious Rib Rub is a must-have for any kitchen. It is perfect for both professional chefs and home cooks who want to add a delicious twist to their meals.

In addition to its great taste, this seasoning is also a healthier alternative to traditional sauces and marinades. It contains no MSG or artificial colors, making it a great choice for those who are conscious about their health.

Overall, the 2 Gringos Chupacabra Ribnoxious Rib Rub is a premium-quality seasoning that is versatile, delicious, and healthy. Try it today and take your cooking to the next level!

3. 25 Oz Lawry's Memphis Style Bbq Rub – Ideal For Wings, Ribs, Brisket And More

Lawry's Memphis Style Barbecue Rub is a premium bulk seasoning created for chefs and the food service industry. This dry rub is perfect for achieving an authentic, Southern-style barbecue flavor with a blend of chile pepper, paprika, and mustard to create a mild heat with a hint of spice in rubs for meats or alternatives. With a 25-ounce bottle, it is the ideal size for professional kitchens, allowing chefs to save money and ensure they always have enough seasoning in stock to deliver outstanding flavor.

This Memphis-style dry rub is made with premium ingredients, ensuring that chefs can seal in juices and flavor on wings, tenders, ribs, and more food prior to cooking, delivering signature southern flavor and appearance. It is appealing and versatile, allowing chefs to achieve barbeque flavor and seal juices into many different kinds of meats, including turkey, chicken, and beef. Lawry's Memphis Style barbecue rub can be used to add flavor and enhance the visual appeal of various dishes.

One of the best things about Lawry's Memphis Style Barbecue Rub is that it contains feel-good ingredients. This rub mix is kosher and made with no added MSG, artificial flavors, or colors from artificial sources, ensuring an authentic, real southern-style flavor. Chefs can use this rub mix with confidence to create flavorful dishes that their customers will love.

Overall, Lawry's Memphis Style Barbecue Rub is an excellent choice for chefs looking to add authentic Southern-style flavor to their dishes. With its premium ingredients, bulk size, and versatility, this dry rub is sure to become a staple in any professional kitchen. Whether you're cooking up wings, ribs, brisket, or any other meat, Lawry's Memphis Style Barbecue Rub is sure to deliver outstanding flavor every time.

4. Killer Hogs Bbq Tx Brisket Rub – Championship-Grade Seasoning For Texas Brisket, Ribs, Steaks, And Turkey – 16oz By Volume (11oz Net Weight).

Killer Hogs BBQ TX Brisket Rub is a championship BBQ and grill seasoning designed specifically for Texas brisket. Developed and used by the award-winning Killer Hogs Championship BBQ team, this rub makes you a brisket master. With over 10 years of experience and hundreds of thousands of rubs shipped across the United States, this rub is the highest rated in the market.

The Texas Brisket Rub is designed for consistent results, ensuring that you do not have to worry about seasoning your brisket. The rub provides a consistent and delicious flavor that you can count on time and time again. This rub is perfect for use on brisket, ribs, steaks, or turkey.

Killer Hogs takes pride in manufacturing all their products in the USA using the highest quality ingredients. The company has been delighting customers for almost a decade, and if you are not satisfied with your purchase of any Killer Hogs product, they will gladly refund your money. That's it – no questions, no hassle, no risk.

In summary, the Killer Hogs BBQ TX Brisket Rub is a championship BBQ and grill seasoning designed to make you a brisket master. With over 10 years of experience and hundreds of thousands of rubs shipped, this rub is the highest rated in the market. It is designed for consistent results, ensuring that you do not have to worry about seasoning your brisket. Killer Hogs takes pride in manufacturing all their products in the USA using the highest quality ingredients, and they offer a no-risk, no-hassle refund policy.

5. Spiceology & Derek Wolf's 22oz Maple Bourbon Seasoning For Barbeque Rubs And Spice Blends. Ideal For Ribs, Pork, Beef, Bacon, Chicken, Popcorn, Scallops, And Duck Breast. Sweet And Smoky Flavors.

Spiceology and Derek Wolf's Maple Bourbon Seasoning is a delicious blend of sweet and smoky flavors that enhances the taste of various dishes. The seasoning is a combination of maple, garlic, onion, and a subtle hint of bourbon, making it a unique and flavorful addition to any recipe.

This seasoning is perfect for those who enjoy barbeque and grilling. It can be used on a variety of meats such as ribs, pork shoulder, beef, bacon, chicken wings, scallops, and even duck breast. The Maple Bourbon Rub can also be used to add a flavor boost to ground beef, half salmon steaks, and other dishes before grilling or cooking to perfection.

This seasoning comes in a bulk container, making it an ideal choice for chefs and commercial kitchens. The container is packed fresh in the USA, ensuring that the seasoning is of the highest quality and retains its freshness for a long time.

Adding this seasoning to your dishes will elevate the flavor profile and give a unique taste to your cooking. The blend of sweet and smoky flavors makes it perfect for those who enjoy bold and flavorful dishes. It is also an excellent choice for those who prefer a slightly sweeter taste in their food.

In conclusion, Spiceology and Derek Wolf's Maple Bourbon Seasoning is a versatile and delicious seasoning that adds a unique flavor to various dishes. It is perfect for those who enjoy barbeque and grilling and can be used on a range of meats and seafood. The bulk container makes it an ideal choice for chefs and commercial kitchens, and the seasoning is packed fresh in the USA, ensuring its quality and freshness. Try this seasoning today and take your cooking to the next level!

6. Traeger Grills Spc173 Prime Rib Rub With Rosemary And Garlic

Traeger Grills SPC173 Prime Rib Rub with Rosemary and Garlic is a great addition to any meat lover's kitchen. This cooking seasoning is designed to enhance the flavor of your beef creations with its delicious blend of rosemary and garlic flavors. Whether you are grilling, smoking, or roasting your meat, this rub is sure to add a unique and delicious taste to your dishes.

This BBQ rub is specifically designed to complement beef and other proteins, making it a must-have for any meat lover. It is perfect for seasoning prime rib, steaks, brisket, and other beef cuts, as well as pork and poultry. The rub comes in a stackable aluminum tin container, making it easy to store and use whenever you need it.

One of the best things about Traeger Grills SPC173 Prime Rib Rub with Rosemary and Garlic is that it is kosher, gluten-free, and GMO-free. This means that it is suitable for people with various dietary restrictions and preferences. Whether you are looking for a healthy seasoning option or simply want to avoid certain ingredients, this rub is a great choice.

Finally, it is worth noting that this rub is made in the USA, ensuring high quality and consistency. Traeger Grills is a trusted brand in the grilling and smoking industry, and this rub is no exception. With its delicious flavors and easy-to-use container, Traeger Grills SPC173 Prime Rib Rub with Rosemary and Garlic is a must-have for any meat lover who wants to take their dishes to the next level.

7. Kosmos Q Honey Chipotle Bbq Rub – Sweet & Spicy Blend For Brisket, Steak, Chicken, Ribs & Pork – 12 Oz Shaker.

Kosmos Q Honey Chipotle Killer Bee BBQ Rub is a delicious and versatile seasoning that will take your grilling and cooking to the next level. This award-winning rub has been carefully crafted to deliver the perfect balance of honey sweetness and chipotle heat, creating a mouthwatering explosion of flavor that will leave your taste buds craving for more.

Whether you're grilling chicken, beef, pork, or ribs, this unique blend of spices will help you transform your meat into lip-smacking, delicious dishes that will impress even the toughest of BBQ critics. The sweet and spicy blend is perfect for adding a subtle, yet thrilling heat to your barbeque creations, making them irresistible to anyone who tries them.

Using this rub is incredibly easy, allowing you to have a customizable, knock-your-socks-off honey chipotle spice blend at your fingertips. Simply sprinkle it on or rub it into your meat of choice to enjoy sweet-smelling and deliciously succulent dishes. The flavor is so versatile that you can even use it to enhance the taste of casseroles, potatoes, baked beans, and more!

One of the best things about Kosmos Q Honey Chipotle Killer Bee BBQ Rub is that it has been tested in World Championships by World Champions, ensuring that its quality is guaranteed. If it's not good enough for the experts at Kosmos Q, then it's not good enough for you. So, you can rest assured that you're getting a product that is of the highest quality and has been crafted with care and attention to detail.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a delicious and versatile seasoning that will help you elevate your grilling and cooking to new heights, Kosmos Q Honey Chipotle Killer Bee BBQ Rub is the perfect choice. With its sweet and spicy blend, easy-to-use format, and high-quality ingredients, this rub will help you create unforgettable dishes that will leave your family and friends begging for more.

8. 12 Oz Myron Mixon Bbq Rub – Gluten-Free, Msg-Free, Usa Made, Champion Pitmaster Recipe.

Myron Mixon BBQ Rub – Rubba Dub Rib – is a champion pitmaster recipe designed to take your backyard barbecue or BBQ competition to the next level. With its premium ingredients and gluten-free, MSG-free formula, this 12 oz rub is tailored to enhance the flavor of any dish you're creating.

Crafted with care in the USA, Myron Mixon BBQ Rub is made to satisfy all your taste buds with its wide variety of flavor profiles. Use it as a chicken rub, rib rub, brisket rub, or dry rub for anything your culinary heart desires! With its no-spill shaker bottle, dispensing the perfect amount of mouth-watering seasoning with each shake is made easy. The snap lid also ensures spill-free storage.

Myron Mixon BBQ Rub has been designed by a five-time world champion BBQ champion, Myron Mixon. With this rub, you can savor the flavors of a world champion pitmaster recipe and BBQ like a pro. Why settle for a sub-par meat rub when you can enjoy the best?

Rubba Dub Rib Rub is an excellent choice for pork, pork ribs, or even chicken. It is made with premium ingredients that are carefully selected to ensure the best possible taste. The rub is 100% gluten-free and MSG-free, making it a healthy choice for those with dietary restrictions.

Myron Mixon BBQ Rub comes in a variety of flavor profiles designed to satisfy all your taste buds. Whether you prefer sweet or spicy, this rub has you covered. With its wide range of flavors, you can stock up your pantry and enjoy the best taste for any dish you're creating.

In conclusion, Myron Mixon BBQ Rub – Rubba Dub Rib – is an excellent choice for anyone who loves to BBQ. Its premium ingredients, gluten-free, MSG-free formula, and wide variety of flavor profiles make it the perfect seasoning for any dish. With its no-spill shaker bottle and snap lid, dispensing and storing the seasoning is made easy. BBQ like a pro with Myron Mixon BBQ Rub!

Best Homemade Rub For Ribs FAQs

Can you make a homemade rub for ribs without salt?

Yes, it is possible to make a homemade rub for ribs without salt. A basic rub recipe for ribs typically includes salt, but it can be substituted with other ingredients to enhance flavor. Here are a few options:

1. Sweet and Spicy Rub: Combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

2. Herb Rub: Mix dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

3. Citrus Rub: Combine orange zest, lemon zest, lime zest, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper.

4. Mustard Rub: Mix dry mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

These rubs can be applied generously to both sides of the ribs before cooking. They can also be adjusted to personal taste preferences by adding or removing certain ingredients.

How do you apply a homemade rub to ribs?

To apply a homemade rub to ribs, first, make sure your ribs are dry and clean. Remove any excess fat or membrane from the ribs, and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, generously apply the rub to both sides of the ribs, making sure to massage it into the meat. You can use your hands or a brush to apply the rub. Once the ribs are coated with the rub, cover them with plastic wrap or foil and let them sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. When you're ready to cook the ribs, remove them from the fridge and let them come to room temperature before placing them in the oven or on the grill. Remember to adjust cooking times and temperatures based on the type and size of ribs you're using. Enjoy your delicious homemade ribs with your favorite sides and sauces!

How long should you let a homemade rub sit on ribs before cooking?

As a general rule, it is recommended to let a homemade rub sit on ribs for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and enhances the overall taste. However, some people prefer to let the rub sit on the ribs for several hours or even overnight.

The length of time you should let the rub sit on the ribs will ultimately depend on personal preference and the strength of the spices in the rub. If the rub contains strong flavors, such as cayenne pepper or smoked paprika, it may be best to let it sit for a shorter amount of time to avoid overpowering the meat.

In addition to letting the rub sit, it is also important to properly prepare the ribs before cooking. This includes removing the membrane and trimming excess fat to ensure the meat is evenly cooked and tender.

Overall, allowing the rub to sit on the ribs for at least 30 minutes before cooking can enhance the flavor and tenderness of the meat.

What are some common ingredients in a homemade rub for ribs?

Homemade rubs for ribs typically include a combination of spices, herbs, sugars, and salt. Some common ingredients include paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and salt. Additional ingredients may include black pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, dried herbs like thyme or oregano, and even coffee grounds or cocoa powder for a deeper, smokier flavor. The proportions of each ingredient will depend on personal preference and the desired level of heat or sweetness. Some people also like to add a bit of liquid to their rub, such as apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beer, to help the rub adhere to the meat and add extra flavor. Overall, the key to a great homemade rub for ribs is to experiment with different flavor combinations and find the perfect balance of spices and seasonings that suits your taste.

What is the best type of sugar to use in a homemade rub for ribs?

When it comes to making a homemade rub for ribs, there are several types of sugar that can be used. However, the best type of sugar to use depends on the flavor profile you are trying to achieve. Brown sugar is a popular choice as it adds a sweet and slightly molasses flavor to the rub. Turbinado sugar, also known as raw sugar, is another great option as it has a larger grain size which can add a nice texture to the rub. Honey and maple syrup can also be used as a sweetener in the rub, but they can also add a distinct flavor that may not be desirable for certain recipes. Ultimately, the best type of sugar to use in a homemade rub for ribs is subjective and depends on personal preference and the recipe being used.

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