Food and Recipes Seasonings The Best Dry Rub You'll Ever Try For Ribs Be the first to rate & review! This versatile rib rub recipe gives the meat a smoky-sweet flavor thanks to brown sugar, paprika, and red pepper. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on July 28, 2024 Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Active Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins Yield: 1/4 cup In the realm of seasoning and flavoring ribs, most people fall into one of two categories: a rib rub or a barbecue sauce. For our purposes, we like them both. But a dry rub certainly has some benefits. Firsty, a dry rib rub is quick and easy to prepare. You can even measure all the ingredients weeks in advance of when you plan to cook the ribs, and keep it stored. Secondly, you don't have the mess of slopping and slapping sauce on ribs before and while they cook. Learn how to make this rib rub, and we think you'll be convinced that this smoky-sweet combination of ingredients manages to be the most flavor and easiest option the next time you decide to make a slab at home. What Is a Dry Rub? A dry rub is a mixture of herbs and spices that is sprinkled or rubbed on meat before it's cooked. The emphasis is on dry because it does not use any liquids to adhere to the meat. It instead relies on the natural moisture of the meat to absorb the spice rub and season the meat deeply. Most dry rubs sold at grocery stores are filled with cheap ingredients like salt and sugar. Making your own rib rub is a great way to make sure it has the most flavor—and as a bonus, odds are you probably have every ingredient you need in your cabinet right now. Dry rubs can be applied right before cooking ribs, but for the best flavor you should season the ribs several hours before cooking. This way the rub has a chance to sink into the meat, and when it's cooked, the mixture will help form a beautiful crust. Ingredients for Rib Rub This rib rub recipe calls for many spice pantry staples so you shouldn't need to buy anything to make this simple rub at home. Dark brown sugar: Most rib rub recipes will start with a sugar of some sort, as it lends a sweet contrast to the other smoky and spicy ingredients. In this case, the brown sugar also adds a deep molasses flavor and helps to caramelize the outside of the ribs.Smoked paprika: Not only does smoked paprika give the rib rub a smoky flavor, it also lends that signature brick red color to the rub.Cumin: Cumin lends a warm and earthy flavor that is spiced but not hot.Kosher salt: For seasoning. Kosher salt is ideal because it doesn't melt as quickly and can help create a crust on the ribs.Garlic salt: Adds depth of flavor without the wet garlic that will burn.Onion salt: Adds the slightly sweet, savory flavor of onions.Dry mustard: Dry mustard is sharp with a good bite but it isn't hot, so it stands out among the other flavors.Ground black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper has a nice natural heat.Ground red pepper: For more direct heat and fruity, peppery flavors.Ground ginger: Ground ginger, like fresh ginger, has a natural sharpness and bite that borders on spicy. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox How To Make Rib Rub Making your own rib rub couldn't be easier. You'll add all the ingredients to a bowl, and stir until well combined. Then, follow your instructions to season the ribs. If you want to get ahead, you can make this rib rub recipe in advance, and store it in a jar or other airtight container for several weeks until you're ready to use it. Be sure to label it so you'll know what it is, and write when you make it so you can be sure to use the mixture within two months. Ways To Use Rib Rub Obviously this dry rub is made for ribs. You can use it for these great Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs. But don't stop with ribs. This dry rub is great for pork tenderloins, pork chops, even chicken. We'd even recommend tossing this rub mixture with potatoes, onions, and squash for an ultra savory side dish of roasted vegetables. More Marinades and Rubs Looking for easy ways to flavor meats? Try one of these recipes next: Grilled Chicken Marinade The Best Steak Marinade Pork Butt Dry Rub Smoked Turkey Rub Dry Brine for Turkey Ingredients 2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar 1 1/2 Tbsp. smoked paprika 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp.garlic salt 1/2 tsp. onion salt 1/2 tsp. dry mustard 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper 1/4 tsp. ground ginger Directions Combine: Combine dark brown sugar, smoked paprika, ground cumin, kosher salt, garlic salt, onion salt, dry mustard, freshly ground black pepper, ground red pepper, and ground ginger in a bowl. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Stir: Stir until well-combined. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Rate It Print