Double Pepper Barbecue Rub

Choose your meat (be it brisket, ribs, chicken, or pork shoulder) and mop it with a vinegar-based BBQ sauce as it smokes. Then make like a Tennessee pitmaster and sprinkle this Memphis BBQ rub recipe atop your grilled meats after they’re done cooking. That way, the brown sugar, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and more will have a starring role on your taste buds.

¼ cup paprika1 tablespoon ground cumin1 tablespoon packed brown sugar1 tablespoon chili powder1 tablespoon ground black pepper1½ teaspoons cayenne pepper¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Davis Dry Rub

If you’re seeking a big-batch spice blend, try this sweet and spicy grilling rub. Ideal as a BBQ chicken rub or on a big brisket. Leftovers of this paprika, cumin, and chili powder blend last for up to 6 months.

½ cup paprika⅓ cup ground black pepper¼ cup salt¼ cup chili powder¼ cup ground cumin¼ cup packed brown sugar3 tablespoons granulated sugar2 tablespoons cayenne pepper

Test Kitchen Tip: Store in a tightly covered container and portion out your servings in a small bowl each time you use the recipe to prevent cross-contamination.

Basic BBQ Rub

The seeds steal the show in this Texas BBQ rub. Cumin seeds, yellow mustard seeds, and coriander seeds (fun fact: the latter grow into cilantro!) are all tagged in to create the complex flavors in this BBQ rub recipe. Warm spices, brown and turbinado sugars, and dried oregano round out the mix.

1½ teaspoons celery seeds1½ teaspoons cumin seeds1½ teaspoons yellow mustard seeds1½ teaspoons coriander seeds¾ cup turbinado sugar¾ cup dark brown sugar½ cup paprika3 tablespoons fine sea salt or kosher salt4 teaspoons onion powder4 teaspoons garlic powder1 tablespoon chili powder1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper

Coriander-Bay Spice Rub

Cinnamon, cloves, and ginger might seem more like pumpkin pie ingredients, but we’re wild about the layers of flavor they add to this sweet BBQ rub recipe that’s balanced with savory elements such as cumin, coriander, thyme, and bay leaf.

1 tablespoon kosher salt1 tablespoon packed brown sugar½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper½ teaspoon ground coriander½ teaspoon ground cumin½ teaspoon ground cinnamon½ teaspoon dried thyme, crushed¼ teaspoon ground cloves¼ teaspoon ground cardamom¼ teaspoon ground ginger¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg1 small bay leaf, finely crumbled

Smoky Rub

The name of this BBQ spice rub comes from the recipe’s most prolific ingredient, smoked paprika. This Spanish spice staple is made with peppers that are smoked and dried over oak wood. Customize the heat level of this spice blend that also features garlic, onion, and ginger notes, by selecting mild, medium, or hot smoked paprika.

1 tablespoon smoked paprika1 tablespoon onion powder1½ teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon dry mustard1 teaspoon ground ginger

Spicy Southwestern Rub

Not quite sure if your dining companions can take the heat? This homemade BBQ rub recipe features mainly warm and smoky spices, including cumin and paprika. A pinch of cayenne and spoonful of ground pasilla or ancho pepper add just enough spice to balance the brown sugar.

1 tablespoon ground ancho or pasilla pepper1 tablespoon paprika1½ teaspoons packed brown sugar1½ teaspoons ground cumin1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon dried thyme½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Barbecue Rub

If your go-to sauce features mustard (dry, Dijon, or yellow), then you need this homemade BBQ rub recipe in your back pocket (and literally, in your spice cabinet). A teaspoon of dry mustard goes a long way in this onion powder- and chili powder-based blend.

1 tablespoon chili powder1 tablespoon onion powder1 tablespoon brown sugar2 teaspoons cumin1 ¼ teaspoons cracked black pepper1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon dry mustard¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Sprinkle these dry rubs onto any meat or poultry you’re cooking to add huge flavor to your main course.