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Rib Seasoning

Published: Jun 8, 2025 · Modified: Nov 6, 2025 by Terri Weir · · This post may contain affiliate links

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This rib seasoning blend is going to be your new go-to every time you grill or smoke ribs, any kind of pork, chicken, or beef. Its blend of deep, complex savory flavors, the perfect amount of sweetness, and just a little heat makes it perfect for just about anything you’ll ever add to a grill. And all you have to do is measure and blend.

A spoonful of homemade dry rub rib seasoning with the title of the recipe in text at the top.

I love grilling and smoking. All that flame-kissed or smoked flavor makes almost anything better. It’s the official flavor of summer for me. In addition to the flame and the smoke, a great spice blend is always important. Over the years, I’ve perfected a universal dry rub seasoning that I love using on my beef, chicken, or pork. It’s always a winner, but I’ve been using it for so long, I decided to make a new blend. I tweaked my existing blend and tailored it more toward my rib recipes. It’s absolutely delicious, and my ribs have never been better. Oh, and even though it’s for my ribs, it also works on just about anything you want to grill. Yay!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: All you need is a handful of seasonings and some sugar. You can find everything in your pantry or your local grocery store.
  • Easy: Just measure and mix. That’s all there is to it!
  • Versatile: This blend works well on beef and pork ribs, chicken, chops, steaks, or even mixed into hamburgers.
  • Great for Meal Prep: This recipe works for a rack of ribs, but you can multiply the recipe and store it in an airtight container for future use.
A white bowl with blue trim with homemade rib seasoning in it and a spoonful held above the bowl.

Ingredients

  • Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning adds a classic, earthy, bold, complex, and slightly hot flavor to the mix.
  • Granulated Garlic and Onion: A blend of granulated garlic and onion gives the seasoning a sweet and savory aromatic layer with a touch of bite.
  • Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky, subtle sweetness.
  • Ground Mustard: Ground mustard adds an earthy tang.
  • Sugar: A blend of brown sugar with a touch of granulated sugar adds sweetness to balance the savory flavors in the blend.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a touch of heat.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact measurements.

A white surface with 10 small glass bowls filled with each ingredient needed to make rib seasoning.

Flavor Variations

  • Mild: Omit the cayenne for a mild version of this recipe.
  • Extra Spicy: Add more cayenne to make this blend as spicy as you want.

Instructions

  1. Mix the seasonings in a small bowl.
  2. Use on your favorite rib recipes. Enjoy!

Tips

  • I recommend using the freshest possible spices for this blend, especially if you’re planning to make extra for future use.

Storage

If you make extra rib seasoning, store it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.

Pairing Suggestions

Use this mix with almost any grilled or smoked rib, chop, or chicken recipe!

A white bowl with blue trim filled with a homemade dry rub rib seasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I season my ribs with?

A basic rib seasoning should always include brown sugar, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. This creates a simple, delicious mix that can be used as-is or built upon with other ingredients like the ones in this recipe.

Is it better to marinate or dry rub ribs?

A dry rub adds flavor and crust to your ribs, while a marinade adds flavor and tenderness. In the end, it comes down to personal preference.

How long do you let rub sit on ribs before cooking?

For best results, let your ribs sit for around an hour after applying your rub.

A double collage photo of rib seasoning and the ingredients used to make it.

Try This Rib Seasoning Today

This rib seasoning adds the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy to your ribs, chops, steaks, chicken, or pretty much anything you put it on. Just blend, apply, and enjoy. That’s all there is to it. With just one step and tons of flavor, this is a recipe that needs to be in your summer grilling and smoking repertoire. Give it a try!

Delicious Grilled and Smoked Recipes You’ll Enjoy

  • Smoked pork ribs on a wood cutting board with one rib held above the rack of ribs below.
    Smoked BBQ Ribs
  • Sliced smoked tri tip on a white plate.
    Smoked Tri Tip
  • Beef Brisket Recipe (Oven Baked)
  • Smoked Shotgun Shells

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A white bowl with blue tri filled with homemade rib seasoning.

Rib Seasoning

Great Grub, Delicious Treats
This easy and delicious dry rub rib seasoning is super simple to make and is full of bold, zesty flavors. It's the perfect dry rub for ribs, chicken, beef, and anything you want to add it to.
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 43 kcal

Ingredients
  

Rib Seasoning

  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons granulated onion
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together until combined.
  • Store in a cool dry place in an airtight container.
  • Makes enough for 1 rack of ribs

Notes

I recommend using the freshest possible spices for this blend, especially if you’re planning to make extra for future use.

Storage

If you make extra rib seasoning, store it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
Nutritional values are approximate.
 
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 294mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 922IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Dry Rub Seasoning, Homemade Rib Seasoning, Rib Seasoning
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
A three collage photo of homemade dry rub rib seasoning with the title in text at the top.
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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :)

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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :) Read More…

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