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    Home » Recipes » Beef Seasoning Recipes

    BBQ Rub Recipes

    Published: Mar 10, 2023 Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    When it comes to flavor, BBQ rubs are just as important as the sauce! Pick from our best BBQ Rub Recipes to find your favorite rub for ribs, steak, and more. Perfect for grilling, smoking, or even oven-roasting meat!

    patting down a brisket with bbq rub
    Jump to:
    • BBQ Rubs Recipes
    • BBQ Dry Rubs vs. Wet Rubs
    • Dry Rub Recipes
    • Wet Rub Recipes
    • Homemade BBQ Sauce
    • BBQ Rub Recipe Tips
    • How to Use BBQ Rub
    • Barbecue Rubs FAQs
    • Beef Seasoning Recipes
    • 📌 Pin it for later!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • BBQ Rub Recipes + Dry Rib Rub

    BBQ Rubs Recipes

    Living in Florida, I am constantly working the grill or smoker. No need for a special occasion to cook out, here! After testing so many grilled and smoked beef recipes, I can say with confidence I know what makes a good barbecue rub.

    BBQ rubs are just as important to the flavor of the meat as the sauce. If you want to get the most flavor out of your meat, picking the perfect rub is essential, whether it calls for a dry rub or a wet rub.

    Try my best BBQ rubs the next time you make ribs, steak, or brisket, and I guarantee you will find a new favorite!

    Pouring dry rub over ribs

    BBQ Dry Rubs vs. Wet Rubs

    A dry rub is a mixture of seasonings rubbed into the meat with no liquid element added. A wet rub is a mixture of seasonings in addition to a liquid, such as Worcestershire sauce, oil, alcohol, vinegar, or mustard.

    Wet rubs tend to stick to the meat better than dry rubs and add moisture to the meat, while a dry rub will create a caramelized crust without any additional moisture. Which type you use is according to your preference.

    You can make any dry rub into a wet rub by adding a liquid component. If you want to try a wet rub using one of the dry rub recipes below, try simply adding a wet ingredient.

    Dry Rub Recipes

    Brisket Rub
    This dry rub for brisket is a mixture of sweet paprika and savory garlic powder that perfectly suits the flavor of brisket. You can also use it for other slow-cooked meats like pulled pork!
    get the recipe
    rubbing brisket rub onto brisket
    Tri-Tip Rub
    Complete with thyme and garlic, this Tri-Tip Rub is one of the best dry rubs for steak. It is amazingly flavorful but simple to put together in a pinch.
    get the recipe
    smoked tri tip with garlic and herbs and tri tip seasoning
    Short Ribs Rub
    This short ribs rub is sweet, savory, and nicely salty. It is perfect for a rack of ribs of any kind, like baby back ribs, but is especially delicious for smoked beef short ribs.
    get the recipe
    A single smoked short rib on a white plate
    Prime Rib Rub
    Prime rib is an amazing choice for smoked beef, and one of the most tender, flavorful cuts. Try this simple prime rib rub to complement its natural flavor.
    get the recipe
    Slicing prime rib seasoned with prime rib rub
    Steak Seasoning
    This sweet-and-spicy steak seasoning is a perfect dry rib for steak, but you can use it for other cuts like brisket and ribs, too. It's packed with layers of flavor and perfect for grilling.
    get the recipe
    Three seasoned steaks on a cutting board

    Wet Rub Recipes

    Coffee Rub
    With a blend of spices, ground coffee, and mustard, this Coffee Rub is an amazing wet rub for steak, prime rib, short ribs, brisket, and more. Try it for smoked beef and be amazed by its flavor!
    get the recipe
    Coffee-rubbed prime rib on a cutting board
    Butter Rub
    This butter rub recipe is the ideal butter rub for prime rib, but it's also amazing on steak. Give it a try and you will want to make it all the time!
    get the recipe
    A finished prime rib being sliced with a knife and meat fork on a brown background

    Homemade BBQ Sauce

    One of the best pairings with a homemade dry rub is homemade barbecue sauce. Try making your own using my easy recipe: Homemade BBQ Sauce. It is the best BBQ sauce for ribs, but I love it with everything BBQ!

    bbq sauce in a jar with a spoon

    BBQ Rub Recipe Tips

    • To add a little spice to any rib rub, add a little crushed chili pepper or cayenne. If you use either, leave out the black pepper.
    • You can add fresh or dried herbs to any wet or dry rub recipe. Herbs like oregano, thyme and rosemary complement steak and prime rib especially well.
    • Smoky flavors are a perfect match for short ribs and brisket. The ground coffee in our coffee rub creates a beautiful crust and great smoky flavor.
    • If you're using our BBQ rubs for pork rather than beef, try include a sweet element like brown sugar. Sweet flavors tend to complement pork very well. Make sure to only use sugar for low-and-slow BBQ recipes and not recipes that will cook quickly over high heat, or the sugar will burn.
    • To store homemade BBQ rub recipes, add them to an airtight container such as a small jar and store with your other spices in a cool, dry place.

    How to Use BBQ Rub

    1. Pat the meat completely dry, even if you're using a wet rub.
    2. Generously season the meat all over with your seasoning mixture. Use your hands to pat down the seasoning so it adheres to the meat.
    3. Wait at least 15 minutes up to 2 hours to allow the meat to soak up the rub. If you're waiting longer than 15-30 minutes, make sure to refrigerate the meat in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.

    Barbecue Rubs FAQs

    Is it cheaper to make your own BBQ rub?

    It is much cheaper to make your own BBQ rub. You will save money by opting to mix together seasonings yourself rather than buying it bottled, as the separate seasonings can be used for other meals. In addition, by mixing it yourself, you can choose which ingredients go into your dry rub and control the flavors to your liking.

    What sugar is best for BBQ rub?

    Brown sugar is best for a BBQ rub used with meats like pork and smoked beef brisket, but it's also delicious with other meats. You want to avoid cooking over high, direct heat when you're using sugar in a dry rub, or it will burn. Use sugar only for dry rubs in recipes where the meat is cooked low and slow.

    How long do you leave dry rub on before grilling?

    For best results, let your meat soak up the dry rub for at least 15-30 minutes up to 2 hours before grilling or smoking, depending on how much time you have.

    pouring seasoning onto brisket

    Beef Seasoning Recipes

    • Meatloaf Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning
    • Meatball Seasoning
    • Roast Beef Seasoning
    • Beef Taco Seasoning

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    📋 Recipe

    pouring rib rub over short ribs
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    BBQ Rub Recipes + Dry Rib Rub

    Your number one guide to BBQ Rub Recipes! Find the perfect BBQ rub for ribs, steak, prime rib, brisket, and more.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Seasoning
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: barbecue rubs, bbq rub recipes, bbq rubs, bbq rubs recipes
    Servings: 5 Tablespoons
    Calories: 17kcal
    Author: Isabel Laessig

    Equipment

    • 1 small mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons Paprika
    • 1 Tablespoon Coarse salt coarse salt only - fine salt will not give you the same results!
    • 1 Tablespoon Black pepper
    • 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder

    See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

    Instructions

    • Add black pepper, coarse salt, paprika, and garlic powder to a bowl.
      2 Tablespoons Paprika, 1 Tablespoon Coarse salt, 1 Tablespoon Black pepper, 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
      Rib rub recipe ingredients
    • Mix together until completely combined.
      rib rub recipe in a white bowl
    • Generously apply the rub to meat by sprinkling it on all sides and patting it down with your hands.
      Three short ribs on a rack seasoned with dry rub
    • Cook to your liking, and enjoy the amazing flavor from this rub!
      short ribs seasoned with short ribs rub in a basket with parchment paper

    Notes

    • You can apply the rub directly before cooking, or up to overnight.
    • Always bring beef to room temperature for best results.
    • Using coarse salt rather than fine salt creates a better crust.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Tablespoon | Calories: 17kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.6g | Protein: 0.8g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1154mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 0.7g | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

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    About Isabel Laessig

    Isabel Laessig, better known as Family Foodie and the founder of the Sunday Supper Movement, is passionate about food and family! She is the author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook, and makes regular television appearances to spread her mission of bringing Sunday Supper back around the family table in every home.

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