Sweet and Smoky Pork Rub

Name: Sweet and Smoky Pork Rub
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup dark brown sugar; 1 tbsp kosher salt; 2 tsp chili seasoning; 2 tsp garlic powder ((or garlic flakes)); 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp paprika ((See Note 1)); 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

By Kevin

published Feb 25, 2021, updated Jun 03, 2023

5 from 4 votes

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This pork rub is a sweet and smoky flavored rub for chops, tenderloin, roast, and smoked ham. Make this recipe using just six spices!

Whether you love the flavors of Tex Mex or the deep south, this pork chop rub is what you have been looking for. The touch of cayenne takes it to the next level of amazing.

While this spice blend is intended for pork, it’s also pretty tasty on other foods too. Sprinkle it on french fries, add it to a pound of hamburger, or add it onto a pan with roasted veggies. Once you taste it, you are going to want to use it in all sorts of dishes.

Making homemade seasonings and spice rubs is so much better than anything you can pick up in the store. That’s why I have so many recipes for them here on Kevin is Cooking.
From homemade taco seasoning to all purpose seasoning and sazon to ranch, you can stock your pantry full of essential spice blends that will stay fresh for up to 6 months!

whisking spices for pork seasoning in glass bowl

Ingredients in Pork Rub

To view the amounts needed, please see the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

Brown Sugar – I love the way it tastes when using dark brown sugar. It makes it a rich and dark sweetness that is hard to beat. You could use light brown sugar if that’s all you have.
Chili Powder – It’s incredible what a little bit of chili powder can do to the mixture. Yum!
Garlic & Onion Powder – Nothing beats the combination of the two of these ingredients. You can swap the onion powder for garlic flakes too.
Paprika – Any variety of paprika will work. If you want a stronger smoky flavor, you should use smoked paprika.
Pepper – I recommend using black pepper and cayenne pepper. It makes the dry rub for pork a little bit spicy.

Salt – I use kosher salt and love how it turns out. Feel free to add more or less, depending on your preferences.

How To Make Pork Chop Rub

1. Combine ingredients.

Mix all of the spices and seasonings together in a small bowl. Store them in an mason jar or airtight container. Be sure to store the jar in a cool, dry location so the pork seasoning doesn’t clump together.

2. Add to meat.

Sprinkle the mixture on your favorite cuts of meat, or use it specifically as a pork chop rub.
Nothing special is required, just make your recipes according to their instructions. You will be amazed by how incredible it makes the meat taste.

Notes and Tips

There are many uses! In addition to using this pork seasoning for chops, tenderloins, ribs, or cutlets, it’s also tasty on chicken. Sprinkle it on chicken breasts before grilling for a burst of flavor.
Homemade pork seasoning makes a fantastic holiday gift! You can add it to a mason jar and give the mixture away as a thoughtful gift! Great for anyone who loves to grill.
Totally customizable. You can make it spicier by adding in crushed red pepper flakes, or use garlic flakes in place of powder. Play around with the blend until it fits your preferences.
Long lasting. If you needed another reason to fall in love, I have it for you! You can store it in an airtight container, and it will last around six months. How fantastic is that?
Use quality meat. For the best results, start with good quality pork products; this is a game-changer. While there are ways to make cheap meat taste great, in most cases, using high quality leads to better results.
Dry the pork chops before adding the rub. Whenever possible, it’s best to dry whatever meat you are using with a paper towel. This helps the pork seasoning stick to the meat.

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