One base recipe you can riff on forever.
| Ingredient | Parts |
|---|---|
| Brown sugar | 2 |
| Paprika | 2 |
| Kosher salt | 1 |
| Black pepper | 1 |
| Garlic powder | 1 |
| Onion powder | 1 |
| Chili / cayenne | to taste |
More brown sugar for pork and ribs; drop the sugar and lean on salt + pepper + paprika for beef (a classic brisket rub is just coarse salt and pepper). Add cayenne for heat.
Salt is what actually seasons the meat — go heavier on it than you think, and apply the rub at least 30 minutes (or overnight) before smoking.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.