Pulled Pork Rub

5 from 2 votes
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My all-purpose pulled pork rub is one that can be used on different cuts of pork. Super flavorful and easy to make, use it for smoked pulled pork, baked pork, or even slow cooker pulled pork.

Bowl of spice mixture with a wooden spoon and bowl of pulled pork.


 

Easy pork rub for ultimate flavor

My husband is obsessed with his smoker so he is always looking for something to cook. My favorite is when he makes pulled pork.

The key to his amazing pork is partially the smoker but mainly the seasoning rub. We have tinkered with the recipe to make the perfect rub that will give your pork amazing flavor, even better than the store bought blends.

If you want to add even more flavor to your pulled pork, be sure to check out these 14 sauces for pulled pork.

Why you will love this BBQ pork rub

What makes this homemade spice blend so good? A blend of sweet, smokey, and spicy seasonings add so much bold flavor to the pork and will enhance the taste of your pulled pork.

  • Fast and easy to make.
  • A great combination of sweet, savory, and smoky.
  • A versatile seasoning mix that can work with other protein.

Ingredients needed for pulled pork rub

All you need are a few basic pantry staples to make up this blend.

  • Brown sugar
  • Smoked paprika
  • Chipotle chili
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Ground mustard
  • Onion powder
Bowls of brown sugar, paprika, chipotle chili, salt, pepper, cayenne, garlic and onion powder.

How to make homemade pulled pork rub

Step one: Place all of the spices in a small bowl. Stir to combine.

Bowl with different spices.

Step two: Use rub to season pork of choice. Make sure to rub all of the pork, even the bottom and sides.

Pork roast covered in seasoning on a sheet pan.

How to use pork rub

This homemade spice blend isn’t just for pork butt or roast. You can use it to season pork chops, pork tenderloin, pork ribs and more. This seasoning even works well for chicken and beef.

Heather’s recipe tips

  • It’s best to use fresh spices for the best flavor. Make sure to check the expiration date of each of the spices before making the seasoning.
  • Use smoked paprika instead of regular sweet paprika for a delicious, smoky flavor. If you are in a pinch, you can substitute with regular paprika but I really recommend the smoked.
  • We used light brown sugar for this dry rub seasoning blend. Feel free to use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • This recipe makes about 1 cup spice rub. It’s the perfect amount for a 5-6 pound pork shoulder.

How to store pulled pork rub seasoning

Store: Keep any leftover spice rub in an airtight container like a mason jar or sealed container. Be sure to keep it in a cool dry place.

What to serve with pulled pork

There are so many wonderful side dishes to serve with pork. Here are a few favorites:

Bowl of seasoning mix with a wooden spoon.
How long should you leave rub on pulled pork?

It’s recommended to leave the BBQ rub on your pork for at least 30 minutes up to 2 hours. This will help the flavors get into the meat to produce the best tasting pork.

If you have leftover pulled pork, be sure to check out this great list of recipes that use leftover pulled pork.

Did you make this dry rub recipe? Let me know below in the comments.

More homemade seasoning mixes

Bowl of spice mixture with a wooden spoon and bowl of pulled pork.
5 from 2 votes

Pulled Pork Rub

By Heather
A combination of spices used to make a delicious homemade pulled pork rub.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 cup smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon chipotle chili pepper powder
  • 1/4 tablespoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions 

  • Place all of the ingredients in a bowl. Stir to combined.
  • Use to rub over pork or store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Video

Notes

  • t’s best to use fresh spices for the best flavor. Make sure to check the expiration date of each of the spices before making the seasoning.
  • Use smoked paprika instead of regular sweet paprika for a delicious, smoky flavor. If you are in a pinch, you can substitute with regular paprika but I really recommend the smoked.
  • We used light brown sugar for this dry rub seasoning blend. Feel free to use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • This recipe makes about 1 cup spice rub. It’s the perfect amount for a 5-6 pound pork shoulder.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13991mg | Potassium: 702mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 7498IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
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2 Comments

  1. Im trying This recipe In the next couple of days i found a recipe for an injection marinade also going to the smoker with fingers crossed I’ll send YOU a responce I’ll let my family be the Judge going to have a graduation Dinner

  2. 5 stars
    Took a gamble on this recipe and it went over big. I thought it was going to be too savory but it worked out great. Just the right amount of heat with nice flavor. I’ll be doing this again soon.