The Best Rib Dry Rub Spice Recipe
Pull out that grill and grab a slab of ribs. Try the Best Rib Dry Rub EVER! This recipe is super simple to make and everyone will ask for more! Great not just on ribs but chicken too!

My husband thinks of himself as a bit of a grilling expert. He loves to pull the grill out and cook dinner for us a couple of times a week. This weekend he made some BBQ ribs that I swear were the best I have ever had, and it was all because of this recipe for the Best Rib Dry Rub we have tried.
This Rib Rub was so simple to make and I feel like one batch of this is enough for 2 slabs of pork ribs. The flavors play so nicely off of each other. The ribs didn’t even need sauce, but we are bbq sauce people so they got it anyway. LOL

Each bite of the ribs you get the full flavor of the bbq with a hint of spice in the back from the chili and the pepper. The smoke and hint of sweetness from the brown sugar seal the deal!
I am telling you guys, this is the best rib rub recipe EVER! I have even started doubling the recipe and keeping it in a jar in the spice cabinet. This spice rub is even great on chicken and turkey!
Ingredients
This spice mix is full of things you should have on hand. You can also find all of these items at your local grocery store or on Amazon.
- cumin
- paprika
- granulated garlic
- granulated onion
- cayenne pepper
- chili powder
- brown sugar
- kosher salt
- pepper
Also a jar or container to store your rub in.
How Much Rub?
Really, how much is up to you and how big your slab of ribs is. I would start out with a light dusting of the spice mixture your first time around. Probably about 2 tbsp total for a full slab, maybe a little more. If you like it and want to play with the amounts go right ahead. This seasoning is amazing.
Grill Temp for Ribs
Cooking your ribs between 225 – 250 degrees. You want a lower temperature because this helps break down the meat making it tender and juicy without drying it out too quickly and burning it. This temp will help you grill the best ribs you have ever eaten! They will be fall-off the bone delicious!
When you are done try this Ultimate Hack for cleaning your grill.
Want Less Spice?
If you are looking for a more mild, less spicy flavor eliminate the cayenne altogether. You are still going to love this rib rub. I don’t think it is overly spicey with it, but it does add a little bite. You could also half it if you desired.
Printable Rib Rub Label

Free Download
Click the button below to download the rib rub label Printable
Gift Giving
I love homemade gifts, and this Rib seasoning makes the perfect gift for the grill expert in your life! Mix up this blend and place it in a cute jar. Give it with a new set of grill tools, grill mits, even a grocery store gift card. What an awesome gift.
Barbecue Sauce
With ribs that taste this amazing you don’t need barbecue sauce, but if you really want to kick it up try this Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe. It is amazing!
Other Meats
This rib rub isn’t only for pork ribs. It is delicious on everything! Try it on a pork shoulder for pulled pork, great on grilled chicken, it even adds some steakhouse spice to your French fries. Honestly, it is all around a great seasoning to keep in the cupboard!
The Best Rib Dry Rub

Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon granulated onion
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle pepper
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl or jar.
- Rub the seasoning into the slab of ribs before grilling also great on chicken!
Notes

The recipe for the dry rub was awesome in the babyback ribs.
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a really good rub! I use it on all of the pork I smoke. I do double the brown sugar in my recipe. And I also rub the ribs with yellow mustard before applying the rub. But this is a fantastic rub for beginners.
Excellent! The perfect balance of sweet and heat. Use this on pork, chicken and beef. Sprinkle on veggies while roasting or grilling too.
YUM! It is great on all kinds of things…especially veggies! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, this rub sounds delish. Will it be just as good on oven baked ribs? And which type of ribs can I use this rub on, baby backs, spare, or country -style? Sorry for all the questions. I really appreciate your response
Awesome recipe, I use New Mexico powder red Chile, 2 table spoonfuls. The girls love when I make ribs. Thank you…
Thumbs UP!
I use this on fish 🥰
We used this rub today, for our New Years Day cookout. I’ve never used it before but I’m glad I did because my entire family loved it! They asked for the recipe. Thanks for posting it online.
I love comments like this! Glad you and your family loved it Jason! 🙂
It was a really good dry rub thank you for posting it!
This is the best dry rub for baby back ribs! Absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing.
This rub is very good. Cooking my second rack of ri s today. I pull the membrane off the back and cook on low for four hours then put on the grill to char and bbq. Makes my stomach happy?
I love using different homemade bbq rubs. Yours will be next. It looks so easy and simple with spices I always have on hand. Will this work for ribs cooked in the oven? And which type of ribs can I use, baby backs, spare ribs, or country-style? Thanx for your response
I just whipped up a batch, will let you know….it sounds good
I want to try this rub, anyone ever put it on ribs overnight??
We have not put it on overnight, but I am sure it would be amazing. Letting it sit overnight would help the flavors really absorb into the meat more. Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
how would this taste if i do not add the chili powder or cayainne?
The chili powder isn’t spicy. I have made it without the cayenne and it is just fine. This rub spice would be fine without both, just a little different than the original.
I’m brand new to smoking and did my first rack of ribs with this rub.
It was really good, thank you for sharing it!
Thanks so much for sharing this yummy rub! 🥰🌺