Keep a big batch of the Best BBQ Rub in your pantry for all your barbecuing this summer. All you need are pantry staples to whip up this sweet and spicy rub.

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I love a good spice rub. I love it even more when I can make them at home with ingredients I already have in my pantry. That is definitely the case for today’s recipe.

This is the best BBQ rub no matter what you are grilling up or smoking.

Ingredients for the Best BBQ Rub

The spices that go into this rub are super simple and common. Here’s what you need:

The majority of the rub is brown sugar. It brings some major sweetness and helps balance out the spicy ingredients.

I like to use dark brown sugar for this recipe because it has that deep, more molasses-y flavor. That being said, you can definitely use light brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand.

How to Make the Best BBQ Rub

We are Kansas City barbecue people through and through so this rub was created in that style. Basically, we like our barbecue sweet and just a tad spicy.

To make the rub, mix together the ingredients in a large bowl. Make sure to crumble any little clumps of brown sugar to ensure it’s totally cohesive.

Store it in a glass jar or airtight container and that’s it. You can keep rubs up to 6 months so make a big batch if you barbecue often.

How to Use

This rub is great on all different types and cuts of meat. It’s always our go to rub.

We regularly use it on baby back ribs, pork butts, whole chicken or chicken pieces and turkey breast. I will admit we haven’t used it on beef but I’m betting it would be delicious as well.

Sprinkle a liberal amount of the rub on one side of your cut of meat. Gently pat it down then flip and repeat on the other side. Make sure to get the edges too.

I like to use one hand for sprinkling and the other hand for patting to ensure there isn’t any cross-contamination in the rub. If you have any leftover, store in your pantry for your next grill out.

Why Should I Make My Own Rubs?

First, they are SO easy and last a long time. You can control the amount of salt along with the ingredients that to into them. No weird chemicals or preservatives here.

I love that they are customizable as well. You can add a bit more of a spice you love or leave out something that you don’t prefer.

More Delicious Homemade Rubs and Seasonings: