This easy homemade BBQ seasoning recipe is packed with extraordinary flavor thanks to the blend of aromatic spices. The sweet flavors are balanced by a slight bite of heat that takes your favorite grilled or smoked meat to the next level. Give it a try at your next barbecue, and it’s sure to be a hit!
Why You'll Love This Homemade BBQ Seasoning Recipe
Easy to Make: For a fraction of the cost of store-bought dry rubs you can buy at the grocery store, you can make this homemade barbecue seasoning recipe in 5 minutes or less! You'll love having this homemade seasoning on hand for grilled thick-cut pork chops, BBQ venison sliders, and more!
Natural Ingredients: Store-bought spice mixes often have unnecessary added fillers or anti-caking agents. However, this recipe has the best flavor, because it's made with natural ingredients. (kosher salt, brown sugar, herbs and spices)
Customizable: Looking for inspiration for your own homemade BBQ seasoning blend? Use this recipe as a starting place, and adjust the ingredients to your liking!
Ingredient Notes
- Kosher Salt: Kosher salt has just the right size of grains to use for rubs because they're big enough to create a delicious crust on the meat. However, they're not so big that they don't flavor the meat evenly. The coarse texture also adheres to the meat better than other salts.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar provides the sweet element to this seasoning. You can use light or dark brown sugar, but I prefer the richer flavor of the dark variety. You can use regular white sugar as well, but you'll miss out on the deep flavor of the brown sugar.
- Herbs and Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, thyme, parsley, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper create a bold, savory flavor with a touch of heat. Smoked paprika is my secret ingredient for maximum flavor in venison sloppy joes and Cajun butter.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Seasoning
This homemade BBQ seasoning comes together in 5 minutes or less using a handful of simple ingredients!
- Step 1: Add all ingredients (brown sugar, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, thyme, parsley, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper) to an 8-ounce glass jar or small bowl.
- Step 2: Shake jar, or stir to combine.
- Step 3: Use immediately, or transfer the seasoning mix to an airtight container.
Pro Tip
Homemade seasonings make great gifts. Add the ingredients in a layered fashion to the jar, and don't shake it up for a beautiful presentation!
Ways to Use Homemade BBQ Seasoning
Homemade barbecue seasoning can be used on just about any grilled or smoked meat. Pork chops, pork tenderloin, pork shoulder, smoked fish, chicken wings, chicken thighs, smoked brisket, baby back ribs (even wild game ribs!), roasts, steaks, or any of your favorite meats will all work!
Add a few tablespoons of the spice blend before you grill or smoke your meat on your gas grill, pellet grill, or smoker.
How to Store
Homemade barbecue seasoning can be stored just like any store-bought seasoning: in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place. The approximate shelf life for homemade seasonings is about 6 months.
However, the exact storage time depends on the freshness of the ingredients used. If you're already using old spices, the seasoning won't taste as fresh. You'll know it's time for a new batch when the colors dull and the spice blend no longer has a strong aroma!
FAQ
Seasonings with a good balance of sweet and salty with unique flavors from a blend of herbs and spices are great for BBQ. BBQ rubs can vary widely in flavor but they usually consist of salt, sugar, and various spices.
If you buy spices in bulk, you can definitely make your own BBQ spice rub cheaper than what you can buy at the grocery store.
BBQ seasoning is more finely ground than BBQ rub, making it ideal for marinating, mixing into sauces, or sprinkling on food before cooking. On the other hand, BBQ rub is coarser in texture and great for rubbing on meats before cooking in order to provide flavor and create a crust. That said, this BBQ seasoning recipe works great as either a rub or a seasoning.
Related Recipes
Looking for ways to use BBQ seasoning? Try these:
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Recipe
Easy Homemade BBQ Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to an 8 oz glass jar or small bowl. Shake jar or stir to combine.
- Store in the jar or other airtight container for up to 6 months.
Notes
- Kosher salt has just the right size of grains to use for rubs because they're big enough to create a delicious crust on the meat but not so big that they don't flavor the meat evenly. The coarse texture also adheres to the meat better than other salts.
- Brown sugar provides the sweet element to this seasoning. You can use light or dark brown sugar but I prefer the richer flavor of the dark variety. You can use regular white sugar as well, but you'll miss out on the deep flavor of the brown sugar.
- You can adjust the blend of spices and herbs to your liking! Want to spice it up? Add more cayenne. Don't like the flavor of cumin? Take it out! This recipe is totally customizable.
- Homemade seasonings make great gifts. Add the ingredients in a layered fashion to the jar and don't shake it up for a beautiful presentation!
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