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    Home » Sauces, Dressings & Condiments » Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub for Ribs or Chicken

    Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub for Ribs or Chicken

    Published: May 1, 2023 by Linda Baker · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Welcome to my easy Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub recipe that is perfect for adding a sweet and spicy flavor to your ribs or chicken! This simple yet flavorful rub combines a balance of sweet and savory spices, creating a mouth-watering taste that will make your taste buds dance with joy. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of effort, you can elevate your BBQ game and impress your friends and family with this delicious rub. So let's get started and make your next BBQ experience a hit!

    Spoons with rub ingredients .

    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 will definitely make your next grilling adventure a success!

    This easy rub is perfect for using on my fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, as well as Beer Can Chicken or my recipe for rotisserie chicken.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Want more?
    • Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub for Ribs or Chicken

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Ingredients on the spoon with the corresponding name.
    • 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

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    The instructions are super simple, mix everything together in a bowl.

    See, simple.

    Spices combined in a clear glass bowl .

    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.

    FAQ

    How far in advance can I season my ribs or chicken?

    You'll want the dry rub to sit on the ribs for at least 30 minutes to tenderize the meat and draw out the moisture, but you can refrigerate the ribs or chicken coated with the dry rub for up to 48 hours.

    If I'm making the rub to use on your recipe for tender fall-off-the-bone ribs which requires baking before grilling, do I still need to let it sit on the meat for 30 minutes?

    While it is not necessary, it will still impart more flavor if you do allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before baking.

    Want more?

    These are some of my most popular backyard BBQ recipes.

    • Quick and Easy Smoky Tangy No-Cook BBQ Sauce
    • Easy Make Ahead Oven Baked Grilled Ribs
    • Grilled Quail with Pomegranate and Orange Glaze
    • Fresh Corn Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella

    These are some of my favorite dishes to serve with grilled meats:

    • Easy Vegetarian Mediterranean Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean) Salad with Feta
    • Massaged Kale Greek Salad
    • Fresh Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Dressing
    • Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
    A spoon lifting out some sweet spicy rub.

    Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub for Ribs or Chicken

    LindySez
    Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub is perfect for adding a sweet and spicy flavor to your ribs or chicken! This simple yet flavorful rub combines a balance of sweet and savory spices, creating a mouth-watering taste that will make your taste buds dance with joy. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of effort, you can elevate your BBQ game and impress your friends and family with this delicious rub. So let's get started and make your next BBQ experience a hit!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 7 mins
    Course Sauces, Dressings & Condiments
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 racks of ribs

    Equipment

    • Air Tight Containers
    • Measuring spoons and cups

    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.
    Keyword BBQ, Spice, Spice Rub
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Hi, I'm Lindy.

    I am a home-trained chef who loves to cook and eat delicious food. As I like to say, "Life is too short to eat mediocre food". And I find too much food out there is mediocre. I don't think good food needs to be fussy, or difficult to prepare. Most of my recipes are fresh, quick, easy, and tasty while keeping both calories and fats in check. 

    More about me →

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