10 DIY BBQ DRY RUB RECIPES

What is BBQ without a good dry rub? It’s like serving homemade warm pie without some vanilla bean ice cream or a coconut whipped cream… not happening. When I mention I make my own spice rubs and seasoning to people, it is usually followed by an eye roll and a comment of “… of course you do…”. Haha!

The truth is making your own dry rubs and seasoning mix is actually very easy and I find it has several benefits:

1. It is more affordable. A good organic seasoning at the market can sit around $8-$10 a jar and I find I can make my own from the bulk section easily for under $5 a jar.
2. You get what you want. There have been many times I bought a pre-made seasoning mix or spice rub and found I did not like it. I ended up adding more seasonings to it with the hopes of changing the flavor profile to what I wanted or it sat in the back of my pantry for way too long until I tossed it. By making my own, I have more control over getting exactly what I want.
3. Increased Health Benefits: I find that most seasoning mixes you buy are of lower quality spices (not always true, you can get a few good organic brands), but for the most part the salts used are a cheaper salt with little nutritional value. There is often added white sugar, sodium, and chemicals added for preservation and shelf-life. When I make my rubs I can pick higher nutritional dense foods and more natural sugars, while controlling the salt and sugar ratios of my rubs.
4. Keeps Meals Interesting. I find sometimes a one-pan dinner of chicken and veggies can get a little boring after a while. It is amazing how the right spice mix can take the blah potato or a basic chicken breast and recreate a new exciting meal by simply changing up the culinary use of herbs and spices.

To start making your own DIY rubs and spices, I like to have a few pieces of equipment ready to go:

• Measuring spoons
• Mortar & Pestle (pic above), can be nice if you are using whole peppercorns
• A funnel is nice sometimes but not needed!
• Mixing bowl and spoon
• Dry spices of choice (honestly the bulk sections can totally be your friend. Bulk Barns always have 50% off coupons too so hit those up to save more money).
• Jars. I have a bit of an obsession with mason jars, I find they are durable, affordable and are a perfect size. I typically, get 250 or 500 ml mason jars with the lid to store the spices. You can also hit up the Dollar Stores and grab some small glass spice jars which they always have a variety of. I also have just portioned them into plastic Ziploc bags to take camping with me which can be a simple way to store your spice creations too.

Here are 10 easy DIY BBQ Spice Rubs that you can use for meats and vegetables:

1. Sugar & Spice Rub: With only 5 ingredients this rub is quick and easy and honestly pretty awesome on anything. This is a versatile rub, but I would say I use it most on ribs & briskets.
   
2. Vibrant Curry Rub:
   This is a bold and bright rub that is great in making samosas, on grilled roasted cauliflower, and on chicken.
   
3. All- Purpose Greek Rub:
   Greek seasoning is one of the most popular spice combinations in North America. It is great on chicken, pork, fish, and veggies.
4. Jerk Jamaican Rub:
   Jerk Chicken is super yummy which is usually the first thing we think of with this rub, but its great on seafood, lamb, and sweet potatoes.
   
   
5. Lemon Herb Rub:
   Light and easy, is how I describe this rub. This is a weeknight kinda rub for me where the protein and veggies all go onto one pan, a little oil, and this rub and boom! dinner is done.
   
6. Mexican Rub:
   Pork, Chicken, beef, and mushrooms are typically what I like to grill for fajita nights and this rub makes our Mexican meal a little extra fun.
   
   
7. Moroccan Spice Rub:
   This blend is probably one of my favorites because you have the heat from the cayenne, the sweetness from the sugar, and then this warm, earthy flavor from the cinnamon and clove. YUM! I don’t limit this spice to any one dish, I sprinkle a little on whatever just so I can have this rub.
8. Classic BBQ Rub:
   A good BBQ is only as good as the quality of its meat, the rub, & the marinade. This is a classic and easy to use the rub for all your BBQ needs.
   
   
9. Southwest Rub:
   When you want a little more POW with your classic BBQ rub I like to use this rub. It is also great on all veggies too.
10. Blackened Seafood Seasoning Rub:
    A good blackened fish taco bowl is something of an art. I had many failed attempts at trying to recreate this trendy dinner dish at home and its because I could not nail that rub right. But once I did, it is a weekly favorite. 
    

I hope you found these rub recipes easy to follow and they will inspire you to play in the kitchen and create your own flavorful creations. Happy Grilling!

Joe

10 DIY BBQ DRY RUB RECIPES

10 EASY, DIY BBQ Dry Rubs that can be used for spice up your meat and veggie dishes this grilling season.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

Sugar & Spice Rub

• 1/4 cup coconut, raw cane sugar, or organic brown sugar
• 1.5 tbsp chipotle chilli pepper
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp black pepper.
• 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt or fine celtic sea salt

Vibrant Curry Rub

• 2 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp Garam Masala
• 1 tbsp coriander
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt and fresh ground pepper

All-Purpose Greek Seasoning

• 4 tbsp garlic powder
• 3 tbsp dehydrated onion
• 3 tbsp oregano
• 2 tbsp dried dill
• 2 tbsp dried basil
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp celtic sea salt

Jerk Jamaican Rub

• 3 tbsp coconut, raw cane sugar, or organic brown sugar
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp allspice
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp pink Himalayan or celtic sea salt
• 1/2-1 tsp cayenne based on how hot you like it

Lemon Herb Rub

• 3 tbsp lemon pepper
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Mexican Rub

• 2 tbsp coconut, raw cane sugar, or organic brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chipotle chilli pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp celtic or himalayan sea salt
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Moroccan Spice Rub

• 3 tbsp cumin
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp coconut, raw cane sugar, or organic brown sugar
• 2 tbsp black pepper.
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp celtic or himalayan sea salt
• 1 tsp cloves

Classic BBQ Rub

• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp celery seed
• 1 tbsp coconut, raw cane sugar, or organic brown sugar
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp pure chile powder

Southwest Rub

• 2 tbsp pue chile powder
• 2 tbsp coconut, raw cane sugar, or organic brown sugar
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Blackened Seafood Seasoning Rub

• 2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp pink Himalayan salt or fine celtic sea salt
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic salt
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne

Instructions

 

• Mix all your spices together well in a measuring cup and fill your spice jars. This is where a funnel can be useful to avoid a mess.
• Store your spices for 6-8 months in a cool and dark place.