Sweet and Spicy Pork Rub recipe

Name: Sweet and Spicy Pork Rub
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed); 1/4 cup smoked paprika; 1/4 cup fine sea salt; 2 tablespoon fresh cracked peppercorns; 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon dry mustard; 2 tablespoon garlic powder

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One of my favorite recipes to make during the summer is barbecued pork that I have rubbed with my favorite homemade Sweet and Spicy Pork Rub.

Dry pork rub is made with brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and other spices that infuses pork with amazing flavor.

Pork Rubs are very easy to make and you can make them as sweet or as spicy as you like by changing up the amounts of a few of the ingredients.

You can make a big jar of pork rub and store it in an airtight container so you can have it on hand during the grilling season.

It also makes a great hostess gift during the grilling season.

Sweet and spicy pork rub can be used to add a sweet and smoky flavor any type of pork rib, Boston butt for pulled pork, grilled pork chops and even to season grilled chicken.

You can cook the pork or chicken in the oven, on the grill, smoke it in a smoker, slow cook it in the crock pot or pressure cook it in the Instant pot.

For a few years now I have been playing around with a pork rub recipe. Over the years, I have made changes based on my taste preferences.

I like my pork rub to be sweet, spicy and smoky.

I think I have finally gotten the correct combination of spices for this pork rub.

You can find the direction to make this pork rub for the best pulled pork, bbq ribs and chicken.

Sweet and Spicy Pork Rub Ingredients

Pork rub ingredients are a small list of basic spices that you probably have on hand.

dark brown sugar
smoked paprika
fine sea salt
fresh cracked peppercorns or ground black pepper
cayenne pepper
dry powdered mustard
garlic powder

Directions to make a dry rub for pork

Below are the easy step by step directions to make this barbecue pork dry rub recipe.

Step 1: Gather the brown sugar and dried spices to make the rub.

Step 2: Measure all the ingredients into a large bowl.

Step 3: Use a whisk to combine the ingredients.

Step 4: Continue to mix until all of the dry rub spices are mixed together.

Mixing rub spices together in a bowl with a whisk.

Step 5: Transfer the pork rub to a mason jar or plastic container with an airtight lid.

Pulled Pork Rub in a mason jar with a plastic scoop.

Recipe FAQS

What is the best dry rub for BBQ ribs?

The best dry rub for barbecue ribs is one that has a flavor you like. Sweet and spicy pork ribs is a favorite dry pork rub. It has a sweet flavor from brown sugar and a spicy flavor from smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.

How long should dry rub be on ribs before cooking?

For the best flavor you should leave a dry rub on ribs overnight if you have the time so the flavors can soak into the pork.

How much rub should you put on ribs?

Ribs should be completely covered on both sides in dry rub for the best flavor.

Recipe Expert Tips

For best results follow these tips on how to use a dry pork rub.

How long to marinate before cooking?: The longer you can leave the meat marinating in the dry rub the better the sweet and smoky flavor will be in the cooked pork. It takes time for the rub to soak into the meat.
Best rub recipe for pulled pork: A sweet and smoky dry rub is perfect for pulled pork.
Pork Butt dry rub: I use this rub recipe to cook ribs, a Pork Butt, as a pork roast rub and for barbecued chicken.
Freezer Meals: Cover the ribs with the dry rub and freeze ahead of time so the pork has already been seasoned.

Seasoned boneless country style ribs in a plastic bag.

How much rub to use?

The amount of dry rub you will need will depend on the size and weight of the pork you are cooking.

Use 1 cup to 1½ cups of rub for a 3 to 5 pound boneless pork roast.
One or two racks of ribs will only need ½ to ¾ cups of rub. depending on the amount of ribs or size of pork butt you are cooking.
Keep in mind a large pork roast will need more rub to cover all sides in a thick layer than a rack of baby back ribs.

Sprinkle a thick layer of dry rub over the pork. Using gloved hands rub the dry rub into a thick layer on all sides of the meat.

Place the pork roast or ribs into a plastic bag or wrap a pork butt roast or pork loin roast tightly in aluminum foil.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours for ribs or overnight which is the way you will get the best pork rub flavors into the meat.

Seasoned pork ribs can be frozen ahead of time. Pull them out of the freezer, thaw and cook the seasoned pork on the grill.

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