7 Delicious Dry Rubs for Pulled Pork and Ribs

Got your technique down when it comes to cooking pulled pork and smoked pork ribs? Perhaps it’s time to start experimenting with some new flavors. 

We have a great list of seven dry rub recipes to get you started.

Whether you are new to pork and ribs, or if you are a “seasoned” pitmaster looking for some inspiration to mix it up a bit, we’re sure you will be sure you will find something useful on our list. We also have our Smoke Kitchen small-batch rubs available from our shop.

Our favorite dry rubs for pork

1. Classic Barbecue Pork Rub

This is a great rub we love to use because it is so versatile. It works great for pork ribs or butt, and is also delicious on chicken.

It is made up of ingredients that you will probably have sitting in your pantry already, which makes it a great option if you are wanting to save some dollars, or if you forgot to grab a rub last time you went shopping.

You can find the rub recipe here, along with some tips on how to customize it to suit your tastes perfectly.

2. The Ultimate Dry Rub for Ribs

This rub has been specifically formualted with ribs in mind (althouh it still tastes darn good on other meats). There’s no chilli powder in this one, so it isn’t as hot as some of the rubs on this list, although you can always crank up the heat by adding extra cayenne.

Check out our ultimate dry rub for ribs

3. Meatheads World Famous Memphis Dust Rub

If you want to recreate the taste that has made Memphis barbecue so famous, then this is the rub recipe you are after.

With this rub, you can forget the sauce, just use the rub and let the flavor of the meat do the rest. As with most rubs, you can add and subtract some ingredients to suit your taste too.

There is some science behind why rubs make ribs taste so good, which you can read about on Meathead’s website. But if all you are after is the recipe, you can find it here.

4. Kansas City Style Dry Rub

From Memphis we head to Kansas City for their version of a dry rub for ribs.

This is a traditional recipe, with all the correct spices in the right ratios to create authentic tasting ribs at home.

If you love this rub and would like to have it on hand, why not make some in advance and store it in the pantry in an airtight container. You can find the recipe here. 

5. Dry Rib Rub (With a Couple of Secret Ingredients from an Experienced Pitmaster)

This rub has been designed specifically with pork in mind. With a nice balance of sweet and savory, you will find this rub will become a go-to in no time. It works well either with or without the addition of sauce.

After years of grilling, the creator of this rub has learnt a thing or two about what makes a rub truly addictive. So there are a couple of additions to the ingredients list you may not expect.

Check out the recipe here, and learn more about the kinds of flavors that make a legendary pork rub. 

6. The Ultimate Dry Rub – Which You Can Really Use on Anything!

It may sound too good to be true, but before you discount the claim that this rub can be used on anything from steak to potatoes and everything in between, it is worth giving it a try.

Along with the recipe which you will find here, you will also find some great tips on how to use dry rubs in general – such as storage, preparation, and when to add them to the meat for the most flavor.

7. Texas Style Dry Barbecue Rub

Apartment dwellers don’t despair! If you haven’t got an outdoor area where you can use a smoker, then look no further than your grill.

This rub has been designed for those who have to improvise and includes all the flavors you need to create some delicious smoky flavors without a smoker.

While this rub will taste great on pork, it also shines when used on chicken.

Head over to the Dad with a Pan website for the full recipe. 

Wrapping it up

Whether you are a fan of Memphis style barbecue, Kansas City style or the way they smoke ribs in the Carolinas, there is a recipe in our list to cater to your tastes – even if you don’t have a smoker (yet)!

Making your own rubs is easy and cost-efficient – why not raid your pantry and see what spices you have on hand.

What did you think of our list? Let us know in the comments section below. And if you found this article helpful, be sure to share!