3 Homemade BBQ Rubs
The following recipe and photography was provided by recipe developer and food photographer, Ashley Durand of Plate & Pen.
Whether you’re planning a backyard cookout or simply looking to bring new flavor to your next rack of ribs, these three homemade seasoning blends offer something for every barbeque lover. From the rich, warm spices of a Mexican mole-inspired rub to the tangy mustard-forward flavors of the Carolina Gold and a classic, all-purpose sweet-and-smoky BBQ blend, each recipe transforms baby back ribs into a memorable meal. While these rubs were developed specifically for ribs, they’re equally delicious on chicken, pork chops, wings, and other grilled or smoked proteins. So give them a try!
The best part is that every ingredient you need can be found at Heinen’s, making it easy to mix up a batch with pantry staples and quality spices. Whether you prefer bold, savory flavors, or a more traditional profile, these versatile rubs offer a simple way to customize your cookout.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Bold Flavor from Everyday Ingredients: This versatile blend combines pantry-friendly spices into a seasoning that adds savory, smoky, and slightly zesty flavor to just about anything.
- Perfect for More Than Ribs: While it’s delicious on pork, this seasoning works equally well on chicken, beef, seafood, roasted vegetables, and even potatoes. Keeping a jar of your favorite homemade blend on hand makes cooking easier because you’ll always have a flavorful, ready-to-use seasoning blend within reach.
- Easy to Customize to Your Taste: The seasoning can be adjusted to fit your prefecences, especially when it comes to salt levels. Because the Adobo seasoning already contains salt, you’ll want to start conservatively.
3 Homemade BBQ Rubs
Ingredients
All-Purpose BBQ Blend:
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Adobo seasoning
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Carolina Gold Blend:
- 3 Tbsp ground mustard
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Mexican Mole-Inspired Blend:
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp black pepper
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust as needed to suit your preferences. Spice blends are highly customizable, so feel free to experiment with the ratios.
- For the All-Purpose BBQ Blend: Start with less salt than you think you’ll need. Adobo seasoning already contains salt, and adding too much can overpower the other flavors.
- For the Mexican Mole-Inspired Blend: Add the cocoa powder and cinnamon gradually. These ingredients are meant to add warmth, depth, and complexity, not sweetness. Too much can push the blend from savory and smoky toward a dessert-like profile.
Storage Tips: Homemade spice blends are more exposed to air, moisture, and light than whole spices, which makes proper storage important. Store blends in an airtight container to help preserve freshness and prevent clumping. Glass jars are ideal for maintaining flavor and aroma. For best quality, use ground spice blends within 3–6 months. Label each jar with the mix name and date to stay organized and track freshness over time.
