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Basic Pork Rub

Are you looking for a simple way to add delicious flavor to pork? Look no further than a basic pork rub to elevate your cooking game. This pork rub can turn a simple cut of pork into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Basic Pork Rub

While there are many variations of pork rubs, a basic dry rub is an excellent place to start. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also incredibly versatile. The possibilities are limitless. This pork rub recipe has all the key ingredients for perfectly flavored pork shoulder, chops, and it’s great on ribs. This recipe makes enough rub for one 4-pound roast or 2 racks of baby back ribs. Make a large batch and store it for later!

basic pork rub on ribs

Basic pork rub ingredients

  • Dark brown sugar
  • Coarse salt: kosher or sea salt
  • Chili Powder
  • Dry mustardย (sub with horseradish powder, though it will increase the overall spiciness of this dry rub recipe)
  • Black pepper (16-mesh)
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder

How to make it a pork rub

  • Whisk together rub ingredients in a small bowl. 
  • Brown sugar and mustard powder tend to clump, so be aware when combining the rub. 
  • For a finer dust rub, place all the ingredients into a spice grinder or food processor and pulse the mixture until it reaches desired consistency.

Using a the rub

  • Apply the rub evenly to to pork ribs, chops, pork tenderloin, or pork shoulderโ€”cook as directed. This dry rub also great on chicken.
  • Discard any rub that has come into contact with raw meat.
  • Double or triple basic pork rub recipe to have on hand. Store in a glass jar or airtight container in the cupboard for up to 6 months. Check on it periodically to ensure the brown sugar hasn’t dried up. Give it a good stir, seal the container, and place it back in the cupboard.

Try this rub on these delicious recipes!

Looking for more ideas? See my list of the best BBQ Pork Rib Rubs or my list of the Best Rubs for Pulled Pork.

Basic Pork Rub

Basic Pork Rub

If you're new to low and slow barbecue, I suggest starting off with this rub. It has all the key ingredients for a perfectly flavored pulled pork. It's also great on ribs. This recipe makes enough rub for 1 pork roast or 2 large racks of ribs.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Rubs
Cuisine: American BBQ
Prep Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 1 Cup
Calories: 294kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder mild
  • 1 tablespoon mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Combine ingredients in a bowl. Brown sugar and mustard powder tend to clump, so be aware of that when combining the rub. Apply mixture all over the pork roast making sure that it is well coated. Cook pork as directed.
  • Discard any rub that has come into contact with raw meat.
  • Double or triple the recipe to have on hand. Store in a glass jar or airtight container in the cupboard for up to 6 months. Check in on it periodically to make sure the brown sugar hasn't dried out. If not, give it a good stir, seal container, and place back in the cupboard.

Notes

Photo by: Sabrina Baksh

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10616mg | Potassium: 392mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 2396IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 3mg

Apply your Rub Right

Apply your spice rubs like a professional with a spice shaker (aka Dredge). This one from Winware has a heavy build, is machine washable, and holds plenty of spice rub. Plus it costs about $7. Just make sure you donโ€™t use this to store your rubs. It isnโ€™t airtight.

Back of House Ltd. Metal Dredge Shaker
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches

I began writing about Barbecue & Grilling in 1997 with one mission, to help the backyard chef have the best experience possible.

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