No Sugar Pulled Pork Rub
If you’re watching your sugar intake, this no sugar pulled pork rub is for you! Keep in mind that this rub is on the savory side. However, you can add a little sweetness to whatever meats, vegetables, or meat substitutes you’re cooking! See below for details.
I use this no sugar pulled pork rub on more than pork shoulder. I also use it on boneless pork roasts, pork crown roasts, ribs, and whole smoked chicken. Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you; this combination of herbs and spices packs a nice punch to smoked and grilled meats!
Ingredients:
- Paprika: Use regular paprika for this recipe. If you’d like the rub to be a bit smokier, use 3 tablespoons of regular paprika mixed with 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika. Or mix and match to suit your tastes.
- Chili powder: Use standard American chili powder.
- Granulated garlic: I recommend using granulated garlic versus garlic powder for this pulled pork rub. Granulated garlic is mealier, while garlic powder is fine and prone to clumping. However, you can substitute with garlic powder. Watch for clumping and break apart with a fork.
- Coarse salt: Kosher or medium-sized sea salt works well for this recipe.
- Black pepper
- Dried savory: You can substitute dried savory with dried marjoram, sage, or thyme.
- Ginger powder: Ginger offers a subtly sweet and peppery flavor to rubs.
- Allspice: This spice is much like cinnamon and cloves combined and is often found in Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisine. This recipe calls for a small amount, so it will not overwhelm the pulled pork rub.
How to Make No Sugar Pulled Pork Rub:
- Combine all of the listed ingredients in a small bowl. Apply to pork roast and cook as directed.
- Triple or quadruple this recipe for future cooking projects. Store the rub in an airtight container in the cupboard for up to one year after preparation. Use as needed.
- Use 1 tablespoon of no sugar pulled pork rub per 1 pound of meat.
Alternative ingredients:
Here is how to sweeten the pulled pork rub without adding any sugar.
Use a keto or diabetic-friendly brown sugar substitute. Add roughly 1-2 tablespoons to the rub and adjust the salt content as needed. Remember that sugar substitutes can be sweeter than regular brown sugar, so start small and work up from there.
You can also bypass adding a sugar substitute to the rub and serve your pulled pork (or other meats) with a no sugar added or diabetic-friendly barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried savory
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Instructions
- Combine all of the listed ingredients in a small bowl. Apply to pork roast and cook as directed.
- Triple or quadruple this recipe for future cooks, and store in an airtight container in the cupboard for up to one year after preparation. Use as needed, about ½ cup of mixture per pork roast.
Notes
Not the Pulled Pork Rub you were looking for? Try looking at my list of the Best Pulled Pork Rub Recipes!
