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 Grilling Recipes
- Smoked Prime Rib Dry Rub
- Grilled Chicken Breast with Spicy Peanut Sauce
- Grilled Octopus with Fingerling Potatoes
- How To Grill Boneless Chicken Breasts
- 35 Grill Master Traeger Recipes
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
Frequently Asked Questions
A BBQ rub is a type of seasoning. It is rubbed on the surface of meat before cooking to provide a layer of flavor. You can use a rub and a seasoning interchangeably, depending on the recipe. BBQ rubs are usually dry and can be used alone or as part of a marinade for an even deeper flavor.
You can use dry bbq seasoning in a variety of ways. Rub it directly on meat before grilling to enhance flavor and add texture. You can also mix it into ground beef for burgers or smoked meatloaf, sprinkle it on vegetables when roasting in the oven, or use it as part of a marinade. You can also add dry bbq rubs to sauces and salad dressings for extra flavor.
More Recipes You Will Love
This bbq spice blend recipe would also go great sprinkled on these roasted pumpkin seeds.
Our chocolate barbecue sauce is another great addition to your grilling and barbecue arsenal and our Carolina Gold sauce is also a must-try.
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Did you make this recipe? We would love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below.
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.
BBQ Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly combine all ingredients with a fork.
- Transfer the barbecue spice blend to an airtight container and store it for later use.
- Now you are ready for your next barbecue!
Jen Young
Tuesday 21st of February 2023
I made this seasoning for my homemade barbecue sauce. I the only thing I added was a tablespoon of dry mustard. So much better than buying BBQ seasoning. I know what is in it. Thank you for the recipe
Dahn Boquist
Tuesday 21st of February 2023
Thanks for the comment. I agree. It's always nice to know what you have in your food.