This tasty Pulled Pork Rub Recipe is a dry rub that’s packed with flavor. Use it for your pulled pork (or another protein) and enjoy. Yum!
This post may contain affiliate links. This means we receive a commission on the sale of certain items. This is at NO additional cost to you. Visit the policies page to learn more.
What is a Rub?
A rub is a mixture of ingredients that are applied to the outside of meats before cooking. There are two types of rubs: wet and dry.
Dry Rubs
A dry rub will contain no liquids. This means that there’s no additional moisture added to the outside of your meat which gives for a better sear.
The best way to apply a dry rub to meat is to blot the excess moisture off the exterior of the meat and then massage the dry rub in with your fingers.
Wet Rubs
Wet Rubs are just dry rubs with a liquid component. Some people think that wet rubs ‘stick’ to the meat better than dry rubs.
The best way to apply a wet rub to meat is to massage it into the meat with your fingers.
Can this Rub be Used for Other Meats?
This pulled pork rub recipe is delicious on pulled pork but it’ll work just as well on any cut of pork or chicken. I’ve even sprinkled it onto my roasted baby potatoes recipe.
Ingredients, Substitutions, & Budget
This total recipe costs $x to make. It makes # servings which works out to $x per serving.
Your grocery costs are probably different than mine. Location, shopping habits, seasonal availability, and other things can all have a major impact on the cost of food. Find out how I calculate what a recipe costs.
Pulled Pork Rub Ingredients
There are 10 ingredients in this rub.
Smoked Paprika ($0.36)
Smoked Paprika and Paprika are mostly the same. They’re both a mixture of crushed and dried peppers. The difference is that smoked paprika uses peppers that are slow-roasted over a fire to dry them.
Smoked paprika adds a depth of flavor that regular paprika just can’t match.
You can substitute regular paprika in the same quantity.
Chipotle Chili Powder ($0.12)
Chipotle chili powder is mildly spicy. Like smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder uses smoked peppers.
You can substitute with ancho chili powder or regular chili powder but those are both spicier.
Cayenne Pepper ($0.06)
Cayenne Pepper is spicy. This is where the heat and kick in your rub will come from.
Add cayenne pepper based on your spice preferences. I like spicy so I add a full teaspoon (and sometimes more if I know I’m not going to feed it to anyone else). Not a spicy fan? Drop it down to ¼ tsp (or skip it).
7 More Ingredients
- Brown Sugar ($0.03): you really want some sweet to balance out the spicy. I’ve used both dark and light brown sugars and been happy. Other (dry) sweeteners are probably fine substitutes.
- Salt ($0.12): I know some of you are cringing at 1 tbsp of salt but DO IT! It’s really not that much over the entire roast.
- Garlic Powder ($0.12): you could substitute with fresh garlic here but it won’t spread and massage in as well since this is a dry rub.
- Black Pepper ($0.06)
- Onion Powder ($0.06)
- Dry Mustard ($0.06)
- Cumin ($0.03)
How Can You Reduce the Cost?
Buy your spices on sale.
Equipment & Plating/Glassware
Making your own rub is easy and doesn’t require anything special.
Small Tools
- Measuring Spoons
- Small Bowl
- Whisk or Fork
Got Extra?
I usually make a double or triple batch of this recipe and keep the extra in an airtight jar in the cupboard. It’s best if used within 4 months, although it won’t “go bad.” The quality of the spices will begin to degrade and lose flavor.
Pulled Pork Rub Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Smoked Paprika ($0.36)
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar, dark ($0.03)
- 1 tbsp Salt ($0.12)
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder ($0.12)
- 2 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder ($0.12)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper ($0.06)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder ($0.06)
- 1 tsp Dry Mustard ($0.06)
- ½ tsp Cumin ($0.03)
- ¼ to 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper ($0.06)
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients.
- Apply generously to outside of meat.
- Cook.
Enjoy Your Rub!
Did you make this Pulled Pork Rub Recipe? How did it turn out? What did you use it for? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Until next time. Xoxo