Brisket Rub Recipe

• servings: 12 servings
• active time: 5 minutes
• total time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons paprika

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

2 1/2 teaspoons black pepper (freshly ground)

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

3/4 teaspoon mustard powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

Mix all of the ingredients together. Stir in an airtight container until ready to use.

Brisket rub keeps for up to 4 months in an airtight container when stored in a cool, dry place.

Notes

Homemade BBQ Sauce Variations:

Spicy BBQ Sauce: Add up to 1 tablespoon of hot sauce or 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.

Maple BBQ Sauce: Substitute 1/4 cup maple syrup for the honey.

Extra Smoky BBQ Sauce: Double the amount of smoked paprika.

Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce: Add 1/2 cup Coca-Cola to the recipe.

Homemade barbecue sauce is delicious on any meat. It’s wonderful on smoked meats such as chicken and pork. It makes an amazing pulled pork sandwich and the best barbecued chicken wings you’ll ever eat.

I always keep this BBQ sauce in my freezer so that I have some on hand when the grilling mood strikes. It just can’t be beat!

Tips for the perfect brisket rub:

This rub will stay fresh in a sealed container at room temperature for 4 months. I often make a double or triple batch so that I always have some on hand.

Don’t be tempted to substitute the smoked paprika for more regular paprika. The smoked version adds a ton of flavor and is readily available in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.

This rub can be used on other types of meat such as pork or beef ribs, chicken, pork tenderloin or pork shoulder.

I recommend using freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.

How long should the dry rub be on the brisket?

Place a generous amount of rub onto your meat, then use your hands to rub it all over every surface of the brisket. You can do this right before you cook the meat, or let the rub sit on the meat for up to 24 hours. If you’re planning to brown your meat, I recommend adding the rub after the meat has been browned. The rub contains sugar and can burn if you place it on your meat before you brown it.

Sugar, salt, and spices are together in a bowl.

How do you cook brisket?

There are three (MAIN) methods of cooking brisket: in a smoker, in a slow cooker, and in the oven. All three methods rely on a long cooking time at a low temperature to help tenderize the meat and to get that melt in your mouth texture. Here is my favorite recipe for smoked brisket. You can make your brisket in a slow cooker by coating your meat in rub, then simmering it in barbecue sauce for 8 hours on low heat. To bake brisket in the oven, coat it with this rub and barbecue sauce, then cover the pan and bake at 300 degrees F for 4 hours. Brisket rub spread over a beef brisket.

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Brisket rub flavor variations:

I love this rub recipe as it’s written, but you can add other flavors to the mix to customize it to your tastes.

Spicy BBQ Rub: Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or ground chipotle pepper to the mix.

Garlic Lovers Rub: Double the amount of garlic in the recipe.

Mexican Rub: Add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon ground coriander to the mix.

Nutrition

• Calories: 53 kcal
• Sodium: 388 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 9 g