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Close-up of a homemade pork rub seasoning in a bowl

Pork Rub Recipe for BBQ

Eddie van Aken (The Grilling Dutchman)
A simple, basic pork tub that just works on every piece of pork
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Seasoning
Cuisine BBQ, pellet grill, Smoker
Servings 35 Tblsp
Calories 16 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing bowl
  • 1 Whisk Spoon or fork
  • 1 Container

Ingredients
  

  • 8 tbsp Paprika powder
  • 3 tbsp Cayenne pepper
  • 3 tbsp Onion powder
  • 1.5 tbsp Oregano
  • 5 tbsp Black pepper
  • 6 tbsp Garlic powder
  • 6 tbsp Salt
  • 2.5 tbsp Thyme

Instructions
 

  • Put all the ingredients in the mixing bowl
  • Mix them together with a whisk, spoon, or fork.
  • Put the pork rub mix in an airtight container.

Notes

Close-up of a homemade pork rub seasoning in a bowl
have tried a lot of pork rubs over the years. Some were too sweet, some burned too fast, and some just didn’t do much at all.
This is the one I keep coming back to. It is simple, balanced, and works on just about anything. Pork ribs, pork butt, even chops.

Why I Use This Pork Rub

  • Good balance of sweet and savory
  • Builds a nice bark without burning
  • Works for low and slow and hot and fast

Ingredients

  • 8 Tblsp Brown sugar
  • 3 Tblsp Cayenne pepper
  • 3 Tblsp Onion powder
  • 1/5 Tblsp Oregano
  • 5 Tblsp black pepper
  • 6 Tblsp Garlic powder
  • 6 Tblsp Salt
  • 2.5 Tblsp Thyme
Since this is my basic pork rub, I make a fairly large amount.

How To Make It

  1. Add all ingredients to a bowl
  2. Mix well until evenly combined
  3. Store in an airtight container
That’s all. Nothing fancy.

How I Use This Rub

I have done a lot of testing on when to use this basic pork rub.
  • I apply it about 30–60 minutes before cooking on the grill
  • I apply the night before smoking low and slow
  • For bigger cuts like pork butt, I go heavier
  • For ribs, I keep the layer even and not too thick
I have used this pork rub on about every type of grill I have cooked on. From charcoal grills to my pellet grills and even on my Oklahoma Joe smoker.
Eddie van Aken

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 16kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 2gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 1176mgPotassium: 74mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 209IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword Pork rub
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