Homemade BBQ Seasoning Rub

This homemade bbq seasoning is an all-purpose bbq rub for your favorite meats. Sprinkle this bbq spice rub on chicken, pork, or ribs before grilling to give them an extra kick of flavor. This seasoning can also be used as a marinade – add some olive oil and vinegar for a tasty bbq marinade that will keep your meat juicy and flavorful!

It is a perfect go-to spice blend to rub for your next barbecue, and it is much more economical than buying premade seasoning blends.

I recently used this on some smoked brisket burnt ends, which took them to the next level!
It also pairs nicely with beef and lamb, so make sure you have some of this on hand and ready to use the next time you fire up your grill.

Here is Why This Recipe Works

• Making your own dry rub seasoning lets you control all the ingredients, so you can customize it to your preferences.
  
• This homemade bbq rub has all natural flavor from aromatic spices. You don’t have to worry about any artificial colors or preservatives.
  
• You’ll save money by not having to buy the premade ones at the grocery store!
  
• The rub has a natural smoke flavor that will add depth and complexity to your BBQ.
  
• The all-purpose rub goes well with any type of meat, and you can use it for indoor cooking or outdoor grilling.

Ways to Use BBQ Seasoning

• Chicken wings: try it out on these air fryer buffalo chicken wings – from frozen.
• Pork: check out this recipe for pulled smoked pork butt (shoulder).
• Chicken breast: try these delicious and easy grilled chicken breast.
• Ribs: use it as a seasoning for these easy barbecue pork ribs.
• Steak: rub it on a grilled flank steak.

This is a great all-purpose barbecue seasoning blend that gives extraordinary flavor to all your meals. You can even try it on your snacks. Not long ago, I mentioned that I used my Cajun seasoning blend on some buttered popcorn. Well, you can do that with this spice blend as well.

What is barbecue seasoning made from?

I always make my rubs from scratch so that I can control the flavors and ensure that I always have the freshest rub possible. You can make a recipe of bbq seasoning with things already in your pantry.

Here is a list of the ingredients you will need for this recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details. 

• Brown sugar
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Cayenne pepper

Substitutions and Variations

You can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper for a milder flavor. Or, for a spicier blend, keep the cayenne and add powdered chipotle or red pepper flakes.

Add garam masala and curry powder for an Indian twist on your BBQ seasoning.

How to store spices

Keep your spices stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Spices can be stored for quite a while at room temperature as long as they stay dry and cool. You can even place them in the fridge to extend their shelf life and to help preserve their color.

Follow the guidelines below for approximate shelf life. However, I recommend being much more conservative since their flavor will deteriorate over time.

• Ground spices: 2-3 years
• Dried herbs: 1-3 years
• Whole spices: 4 years

How to Use BBQ Seasoning

Rub the spice blend all over the raw meat until it is evenly covered. Let the meat sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes for a nice flavor. For even better results, let it sit overnight in the fridge so the flavors soak into the meat and tenderize it.

You can use the oven, stovetop, or grill but make sure it isn’t too hot or too close to the flames. The sugar in this seasoning blend can burn.

You can even make a quick and easy barbecue sauce with this spice blend. Just combine 3 tablespoons of the spice blend with the following:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• Water as needed to get it to the consistency you want.

More Recipes To Use with Dry BBQ Rubs

• sous vide pork tenderloin
• roasted chicken thighs
• broiled pork chops
• smoked London broil
• Traeger smoked turkey
• smoked pork shoulder

Did you make this recipe? We would love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below.  This barbecue seasoning blend was first published on A License to Grill.