This easy Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub brings the perfect balance of sweet heat, savory spices, and bold BBQ flavor to ribs, chicken, and more. Made with simple pantry spices, this versatile dry rub creates a flavorful crust that’s perfect for grilling, smoking, or oven roasting.
There's nothing quite like the thrill of firing up the grill and cooking up a delicious meal. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a newbie just starting out, one thing is for sure - a great BBQ rub can make all the difference in taking your meal from ordinary to extraordinary. A perfect BBQ rub can infuse your meat with the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, creating a mouth-watering taste that is sure to impress. Getting ready to grill is an exciting experience, and with the right rub, you can take your cooking skills to the next level and make everything taste better. This simple rub adds sweet heat, savory depth, and just enough spice to make your next grilling session memorable.”
This easy rub is perfect for using on two of my favorite backyard BBQ recipes: Oven Baked Ribs with a Quick Grill Finish, as well as Beer Can Chicken. Or try it on my recipe for Better than Costco rotisserie chicken.
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Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub for Ribs or Chicken
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme optional
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together. Use liberally on ribs or chicken. Store leftover rub in an airtight container in a cool dark place.
Ingredients and Why They Matter
- Paprika - Use sweet paprika for this recipe. If you want to add a little smokiness, use a bit of smoked paprika. You don't need to use hot paprika; if you do, omit the cayenne pepper or adjust accordingly.
- Sugar - Both brown and granulated sugar. Using both rounds out the flavor.
- Pepper(s) - Fresh ground black and cayenne pepper give heat and depth of flavor.
- Dry Yellow Mustard
- Garlic Powder and Garlic Salt
- Celery Salt
Instructions
The instructions are super simple: mix everything in a bowl.
That’s it. Simple pantry spices, big BBQ flavor.
Variations
You can easily swap out some of the spices or add additional spices to create your own special blended rub.
- More Spice- add additional cayenne pepper to the mix, or use part hot Paprika
- Deluxe - add some dried thyme leaves to the mix
- Smokey - Use a bit of ground Chipotle chilies or smoked paprika
Equipment
No special equipment is needed to make this easy sweet and spicy BBQ rub.
Storage
This rub recipe as written, is sufficient for two racks of ribs, or one whole chicken; however, it stores beautifully, and so most of the time I make at least a double recipe so I have some ready for that impromptu grilling day.
Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the pantry or cupboard.
Top tip
A spice rub is a fantastic way to add flavor and complexity to your grilled meats like ribs or chicken. To get the most out of your spice rub, it's important to be generous with it, ensuring that every inch of the meat is coated in a thick layer of flavorful spices. The rub will infuse the meat with its aromatic blend of herbs and spices, giving it a deep, rich flavor that will make your taste buds dance. Be sure to let the rub sit on the meat for at least 30 minutes before cooking or grilling to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat. When you're done grilling, you'll have a delicious and tender dish that's bursting with flavor.
FAQs
Absolutely. While this rub is especially good on ribs and chicken, it also works well on pork chops, tri-tip, salmon, and even grilled vegetables. Adjust the amount depending on how boldly seasoned you want the final dish.
For the best flavor, apply the rub at least 30 minutes before cooking so the spices have time to penetrate the meat. For deeper flavor, you can season the meat several hours ahead and refrigerate it uncovered until ready to cook.
As written, the rub has a gentle sweet heat rather than an aggressively spicy flavor. If you prefer more heat, add additional cayenne or a little chipotle powder. For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
Yes. In fact, making extra is a great idea if you grill often. Stored in an airtight container in a cool dark cupboard, the rub will keep its best flavor for several months.
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