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All-Purpose BBQ Rub

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on September 26, 2011

Yield

Makes about 1/3 cup

All-Purpose BBQ Rub

Ingredients

4 teaspoons brown sugar 4 teaspoons paprika 2 teaspoons dry mustard 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 2 teaspoons table salt 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Before You Begin

This recipe can be doubled or tripled. Store the extra in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients in bowl, breaking up any lumps of sugar.
All-Purpose BBQ Rub

All-Purpose BBQ Rub

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Makes about 1/3 cup

Ingredients

4 teaspoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons table salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ingredients

4 teaspoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons table salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ingredients

4 teaspoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons table salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted a dry spice rub for grilling and barbecue that was suitable for a wide range of meats and poultry. For the base of our All-Purpose BBQ Rub recipe, we used a blend of brown sugar and paprika. Their sweet flavor and vibrant color complemented a variety of other flavors and tempered the spiciness perfectly. Onion and garlic powders added deep flavor; fresh garlic tends to burn and turn bitter in a rub. Spiciness for our All-Purpose BBQ Rub came from a three-pronged attack: dry mustard, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Before You Begin

This recipe can be doubled or tripled. Store the extra in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients in bowl, breaking up any lumps of sugar.

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