Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×
  • Overhead view of pickles in a white bowl
    Sweet Heat Refrigerator Pickles
  • A basket full of garlic breadsticks.
    How to Make Soft Garlic Breadsticks`
  • A peaches and cream icebox pie with a serving removed to show the layers.
    Peach Icebox Pie
  • A square of strawberry shortcut cake being served from a spatula.
    Strawberry Shortcut Cake
  • A cropped view of this recipe in a glass bowl for the feature image.
    Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
  • Closeup of fried chicken on a plate.
    Why Do Southerners Put Buttermilk in Everything?
  • Overhead view of finished crockpot chicken bog in the crockpot.
    Crockpot Chicken Bog
  • Overhead view of the finished grapefruit cake on a white cake plate.
    Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit Bundt Cake
  • Overhead view of skillet with finished cabbage in it. Feature image.
    Creamed Cabbage
  • Bright green cocktail in a clear glass.
    Hammered Hulk Cocktail – A Bold, Green Drink for St. Patrick’s Day
  • Closeup of pimento cheese balls for feature image.
    Crispy Fried Pimento Cheese Balls
  • A crunchy topped casserole with a serving spoon in it.
    Pineapple Casserole
Home » Recipes » Cooking Tips and Basic Techniques

Texas Dry Rub Recipe

Published: Jul 3, 2024 by Marye

This all-purpose dry rub recipe brings real Texas flavor to almost any kind of meat, poultry, game, or fish. The smoked paprika and roasted cinnamon add wood fired flavor, the dried peppers add heat, and the lime brightens the whole thing up. Nutrition info is based on about 2 tablespoons per serving.
Store in a covered jar in the pantry - if it clumps up just shake to break up the clumps.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 5 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe
Square image of a bowl of dry rub for the recipe card.
A bowl of the dry rub mix on a table.

Level up your grilling game with this Texas dry rub recipe! This fantastic blend of spices will bring out the best in all kinds of meats, making them flavorful and irresistible. Perfect for everything from brisket to ribs, and even veggies, this dry rub is a must-have for any BBQ lover.

Smoky, spicy, sweet, and salty - this brings the "Hot Dang!" to your next cook out.

A bowl of Texas dry rub ready to be used.
Table of Contents
  • Great results
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
  • 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
  • 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
  • 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
  • 🥫 Leftover love: how to store Texas dry rub
  • How do you apply dry rub to meat?
  • Marye's Tip o' the day
  • 💭 Insider tips: things to know
  • 🥩 Dad's Grilling Secret Formula
  • 👩‍🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
  • What is a wet rub?
  • 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
  • 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
  • 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to use Texas dry rub
  • 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Texas dry rub
  • 💬 Comments

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

Great results

5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
Thanks. I like this rub. I used it for beef jerky. Great results
Bill

🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite

  • This Texas dry rub is full of bold, smoky flavors that enhance any meat and, since it's homemade, you can adjust both the sweet AND the heat! It’s easy to make and uses simple pantry ingredients.
  • I use it for BBQ, cookouts, or any time you want to add a burst of flavor to your grilled meats (or season vegetables with it!).
  • Make the rub as written the first time then tweak it until you have a flavor that's all your own!

Delicious rubs like this are why we pass barbecue sauce separately rather than mopping it on.

🤠 We Texans know our dry rubs

When you're from Texas everyone just assumes that you know how to pull every molecule of flavor from beef and other meats.

The answer, of course, is a good dry rub recipe that infuses big flavor into the meat no matter what kind it is, no matter what cut it is, and no matter how you cook it.

Better yet, you need a recipe that you can adapt and tweak until it's your own signature dry rub - just tell everyone that it's a secret family recipe your great-great-grandmother hoarsely whispered to your great-grandmother with her last feeble breath.

This is Texas. Tall tales are part of the mystique.

🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for Texas Dry Rub recipe.

📖 Make it your own: yummy variations

  1. Sweet and Spicy: Add more brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a sweet and spicy kick.
  2. Herb Infusion: Mix in dried herbs like thyme for a herby flavor.
  3. Smoky: Use smoked salt instead of regular salt for a deeper, smoky taste.

🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -

Add a tablespoon of ground coffee to the rub for a unique depth of flavor that enhances the smokiness of the meat.

zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive

🍴Must have tools: essential equipment

  1. measuring cups and spoons
  2. mixing bowl
  3. airtight plastic or glass container
  4. food processor or blender

🥫 Leftover love: how to store Texas dry rub

Keep your spice rub in an airtight container or in a small bowl covered with plastic wrap. It will be fine for months.

How do you apply dry rub to meat?

There's not a lot of instruction that you need about how to use dry rub, or even when to use it.

It's great on all kinds of meats and poultries but also good on the outside of baked potatoes and corn on the cob. I've been known to sprinkle homemade seasonings on my eggs - and if you're looking for a dry rub for ribs you've hit the jackpot.

Whatever kind of meat you're putting it on the technique for getting the best results is the same -

  1. Pat the meat dry with paper towels.
  2. Rub a little olive oil over all surfaces - I like to use a flavored olive oil.
  3. Pat the rub on thickly with one hand and rub it in with the other - it's called rub for a reason.
  4. Let it sit for an hour at room temperature.
  5. OR wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to use it the next day - then let it come to room temperature

Seriously, that's it. Couldn't be easier.

Always let meat sit at room temperature before cooking, though - about an hour.

Marye's Tip o' the day

Make a big batch of this dry rub and keep it in a mason jar. It makes a great gift for BBQ lovers, too!

💭 Insider tips: things to know

  1. For best results, let the meat marinate in the fridge with the rub for several hours or overnight.
  2. The rub must be on the meat for an hour or more. If you begin to cook it before the hour mark the juices will not have soaked back into the meat and it will be dry without much flavor.
  3. Use the rub on a variety of meats like chicken, pork, and even vegetables for a tasty twist.
  4. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili powder and chile peppers.
Large piece of steak in the foreground covered with homemade dry rub mixture to show texture.

🥩 Dad's Grilling Secret Formula

My dad was a Texan through and through. Never mind that he grew up on a farm in Michigan - he seemed to absorb every western themed movie he ever saw and all of those movies became who he was somehow.

He was, in fact, more Texan than some of the Texans I know - big hat, boots, dark leathery tan, and that perfect John Wayne squint.

One of the things he learned to do was grill the best flavored beef that you've ever tasted.

Oh, he'd grill chicken and shrimp and pork, too, but it was the beef that you wanted to turn into a scented candle and just burn it all the time.

That smell!

His secret, if there was one besides the fact that he just did everything better than anyone else, was a homemade dry rub that he patted on the beef in a thick layer.

And, when I say patted I mean like how you pat a big spider with a shoe not how you pat a baby's butt to make it go to sleep.

Give this dry rub recipe a try and see if you don't think Dad kinda knew what he was doing.

👩‍🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs

For some reason dry rubs are an enigma. So many people stick with salt and pepper that when you hand them a jar of homemade dry rub you're met with a blank look - kinda like handing a broom to a ten year old.

Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!

Can I use this rub on vegetables?

Yes, it adds a fantastic flavor to grilled veggies!

How long should I let the rub sit on the meat before grilling?

 At least an hour, but for best results, let it sit for several hours or overnight. The salt in the rub pulls the juices out of the meat during the first hour and then the meat soaks them back in, along with the flavor of the rub. That's why you want to add the rub at least an hour before grilling and preferably longer.

What does a dry rub do?

It gives the meat (or poultry, or game, or...) more flavor because it's absorbed into the meat plus the sugar in it helps give it that crispy caramelized crust. My dry rub recipe also helps to tenderize your dish because of the citrus I add.

Dry rubs are generally made of coarsely ground ingredients that are liberally rubbed into meat while seasonings tend to be sprinkled on. Dy rubs have sugar to help with caramelization and most seasonings do not.

What is the difference between a rub and seasoning?

Dry rubs are generally made of coarsely ground ingredients that are liberally rubbed into meat while seasonings tend to be sprinkled on. Dy rubs have sugar to help with caramelization and most seasonings do not.

What is a wet rub?

A wet rub is best used when you are putting meat in a slow cooker, smoking it, or cooking it slowly using any technique. A dry rub is better for cooking on the grill, stovetop, or even roasting in the oven.

Any dry rub recipe can become a wet rub. You simply add enough of a liquid to make it a paste. It can be any consistency you want as long as it sticks to the meat. Here are some possibilities but no doubt you'll think of more!

  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Bourbon (watch this if you're cooking over a fire)
  • Fruit juice
  • Honey
  • Mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Teriyaki sauce (watch the sodium)
  • Melted butter
  • Flavored oils

Just a word of caution. If you go searching for a wet rub recipe? DON'T type "wet rub" into the search box on your search engine. And please pass the brain bleach.

📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love

  • A small jar of homemade chili powder.
    Chili Powder with Ancho from Scratch
  • A seasoned steak in an enamel dish ready to cook.
    Cocoa Cardamom Steak Rub
  • Jars with different spices in them.
    25 Essential Spices & Herbs Every Kitchen Should Have
  • Overhead view of a white bowl with a seasoning mix in it.
    Copycat Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning Recipe

🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with

A plate of brisket with bbq sauce on it.

This oven cooked brisket is wrapped in aluminum foil and slow cooked in the oven. It's tender and delicious - perfect for when you don't have as smoker.


Sliced round roast showing the pink interior.

Bottom round roast a relatively inexpensive cut of beef ( I said relatively!) that takes seasoning rubs like this one really well.


Close up of chicken breast that's been grilled.

Chicken breast is seasoned then wrapped in bacon and grilled. This easy Texas dry rub is delicious in this recipe.

🍽️ No waste: creative ways to use Texas dry rub

  • Flavorful Fries: Sprinkle the rub on homemade fries before baking for a tasty twist.
  • Seasoned Nuts: Toss mixed nuts in a bit of oil and the dry rub, then roast for a delicious snack.

📞 Wrapping it up: the last word

This Texas dry rub recipe is the perfect blend of spices to elevate your BBQ dishes. With its bold flavors and easy preparation, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy the smoky, sweet, and spicy notes that make this rub a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

It's an all purpose dry rub that you can use for just about any cut of meat from brisket to burgers. Make it according to the recipe the first time then try some variations to make it your own.

Once you get your steak done - spoon some of this chimichurri sauce over the top.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Square image of a bowl of dry rub for the recipe card.

Texas Dry Rub

4.39 from 26 votes
Print Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
This all-purpose dry rub recipe brings real Texas flavor to almost any kind of meat, poultry, game, or fish. The smoked paprika and roasted cinnamon add wood fired flavor, the dried peppers add heat, and the lime brightens the whole thing up. Nutrition info is based on about 2 tablespoons per serving.
Store in a covered jar in the pantry - if it clumps up just shake to break up the clumps.
Course Condiments and Spices
Cuisine Texan
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings:12
Calories:33
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup chili powder
  • ⅓ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup kosher salt, You may want to omit this - read why in the notes!!
  • ¼ cup coarse ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1-½ tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1-½ tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • ½ tablespoon lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon guajillo pepper, ground...seeds removed
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle chiles, or more to taste. ground...seeds removed
  • ½ teaspoon coriander, ground
  • ½ teaspoon roasted cinnamon

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, breaking up any lumps of brown sugar.
  • Spoon into a Mason jar or other air tight container and store in a cool, dark place.
  • Stir or shake up before using.

To Use

  • Pat the meat dry.
  • Cover with olive oil.
  • Pat on meat, covering all surfaces.
  • Vigorously rub the seasoning into the meat - no need to be gentle!
  • Let stand for 30 minutes at room temperature before grilling or cooking as desired.
  • For large pieces of meat like roasts you can cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight before cooking.

Notes

You MAY want to omit the salt. You see, different people have different tastes for salt. Some cuts of meat need more salt than others - chicken thighs compared to chicken breast, for example. Salting the meat ahead of time gives it a chance to penetrate the meat without making it too salty. And, finally, some things are injected with salt solutions so the extra salt in a dry rub causes your mouth to pucker up like you bit into a green persimmon on your first bite.
If you want to leave the salt in that's fine. I just wanted you to understand your options. 
Use a blender or food processor to grind the dried peppers.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 2365mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

First published May 10, 2018. Last updated July 3, 2024 to improve user experience, for readability, and to add more tips and helpful content.

All purpose dry rub in a white bowl.

Don't lose this recipe!

Texas dry rub

Pin to your favorite Pinterest board to keep it handy.

Pin it now →

More Basic Kitchen Skills and Recipes

  • A collage of 3 images - pizza, French fries, and hamburgers.
    How to Reheat Food in the Air Fryer
  • Close up of fried onions on a platter.
    Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch
  • closeup of someone brushing a cast iron skillet with oil.
    10 Kitchen Tools Every Southern Cook Swears By
  • A jar filled with mock clotted cream.
    Mock Devonshire Cream

Love it? Share it!

6.0K shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4.39 from 26 votes (24 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Bill says

    July 18, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    5 stars
    I halfed the recipe and and used to season 10 pound bottom round roast sliced for jerky. very good flavor

    Reply
  2. Bill says

    July 18, 2022 at 7:33 pm

    5 stars
    thanks. i like this rub. i used it for beef jerky. great esults

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    June 17, 2021 at 5:31 pm

    Print button is not responding for dry rub recipe

    Reply
    • Marye says

      June 17, 2021 at 6:17 pm

      It may be a setting on your computer or fire wall. I tried and had a few other people tried and it worked fine.

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

Find out more

🍉 Memorial Day

  • Overhead view of potato salad in a glass bowl
    Mom's Homemade Potato Salad

  • Overhead view of the finished watermelon basket filled with an assortment of fruit.
    How to Make a Watermelon Basket

  • Closeup of a finished hamburger in a bun.
    Retro Lipton Onion Soup Burger (Vintage Recipe)

  • Closeup of a star shaped cake covered in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles.
    Zebra Cake Recipe: Little Debbie Copycat

🧢 Father's Day

  • Close up of chicken breast that's been grilled.
    Awesome Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast Wrapped in Bacon

  • Closeup image of sausage cheese dip.
    Rotel Sausage Dip

  • Closeup overhead view of the macaroni salad in a bowl with a spoon in it for serving.
    BBQ Macaroni Salad Texas Style

  • Close up of a piece of cake.
    Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
    Slow Cooker Angel Chicken

  • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
    Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe

  • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
    Crispy Pan Fried Potatoes

  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail

  • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
    Easy English Muffin Bread Recipe – Perfect for Toasting (No Kneading!)

  • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
    No-Fail Amish White Bread

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured In:

Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright ©2006 - 2025 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.