What’s your favorite spice and herb combination? Do you make your own spice mixtures at home? I’ve always been a fan of various blends I’ve purchased at spice shops…but why not create them myself? Today, I have a barbecue spice rub that absolutely should become a staple in your kitchen.
I am not quite sure of the origins of this barbecue spice rub, to be honest. My mom started making it years ago, and the recipe evolved over time and made its way down to me. We’ve tweaked it over the years to remove/add different ingredients or change the proportions. This product is our final creation (and has been our final version for a few years).
The beauty of this spice rub is that it is perfect for so many different items. My family’s favorite use is with pork tenderloin – a few tablespoons are rubbed on the tenderloin before it is placed on the grill to cook. We’ve also rubbed chicken breasts and turkey with this spice mixture. Burgers have been kicked up a notch with it as well! And let’s not forget the veggies – I love to toss my veggies and potatoes lightly in olive oil and sprinkle this barbecue spice rub on top before placing them in the oven to roast (or on the grill).
This rub is savory, sweet, and has a bit of a kick. You can definitely adjust the amount you use depending on your taste! And what’s great is that you can create a huge batch of it and store for later use. With the holidays approaching, whipping up a big batch in jars would make a fabulous gift to give out to friends and family. Everyone will love it…but then again, I’m biased.
So – what is your favorite spice and herb combination to make at home?
- ½ cup salt
- ½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon granulated onion
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons cayenne powder
- 1 tablespoon dry thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl with a fork until well blended.
- Rub on meat, sprinkle on vegetables, or store in an airtight container for future use. Enjoy!
Great recipe! I love to make my own spice rub too. Although, the only thing I really use it on is tofu patties-haha!
This is a perfect for the guys for my homemade Christmas presents especially because we barbecue year round here in Florida.