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Home » Recipes » Dry Rubs & Seasonings

Cocoa Chili Rub

Published: Jun 27, 2022 · Modified: Dec 29, 2022 by Nicole B.

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5 minutes

This cocoa chili rub is sweet, spicy, earthy, a little bit chocolaty and adds a unique and delicious flavor to grilled or pan-seared steaks. The spice rub is inspired by the flavors of the Mexican sauce mole poblano and has a similar flavor profile. Ancho chili and chipotle powder give the rub a deep and dark, slightly smoky flavor that’s intensified by unsweetened cocoa powder. Brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness and also helps create a delicious, charred crust on the meat once the sugar caramelizes.

Cocoa chili rub in a bowl on a plate.
Jump to:
  • What’s in the dry rub?
  • Ingredient notes:
  • How to make it:
  • How to store it:
  • How to use it:
  • How spicy is this rub?
  • More delicious dry rubs for beef:
  • Full Printable Recipe

What’s in the dry rub?

Cocoa chili rub ingredients.
You need chipotle powder, garlic powder, ancho chili powder, salt, unsweetened cocoa powder and brown sugar to make this cocoa chili dry rub.

Ingredient notes:

  • I use natural unsweetened cocoa powder (as opposed to Dutch-process cocoa powder) for this dry rub.

How to make it:

Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined and no cocoa powder clumps or brown sugar clumps remains.

Cocoa chili rub being stirred in a bowl.

How to store it:

Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool and dry place.

How to use it:

This dry rub is excellent on steak. Generously rub the spice mix on the meat, then grill or pan sear.

How spicy is this rub?

This dry rub is moderately spicy from chipotle and ancho chili powder.

More delicious dry rubs for beef:

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    Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • Chimichurri seasoning on a plate.
    Chimichurri Dry Rub
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • A raw, spice-rubbed beef roast on a plate.
    Dry Rub for Chuck Roast (Oven)
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • Ancho espresso rub in a bowl with a spoon.
    Ancho Espresso Rub
    Cook Time5 Minutes

See all dry rub recipes →

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Full Printable Recipe

Cocoa chili rub in a bowl on a plate.

Cocoa Chili Rub

The Spice Train
This cocoa chili rub is sweet, spicy, earthy, a little bit chocolaty and adds a unique and delicious flavor to grilled or pan-seared steaks.
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Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Condiment
Cuisine Mexican, World
Servings 4
Calories (estimated) 16 kcal

Equipment:

  • measuring spoons
  • mixing bowl
  • spoon or small whisk

Ingredients:
  

  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder*
  • 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
  • 4 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:
 

  • Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until well combined and no clumps remain. Use this dry rub on steak.

Notes:

*I use natural unsweetened cocoa powder (as opposed to Dutch-process cocoa powder) for this spice rub.

Nutrition Information (Estimated):

Calories: 16kcalCarbohydrates: 3.9gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 583mgPotassium: 26mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 3.1gCalcium: 5mg

Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.

Keywords: cocoa chili dry rub, cocoa chili rub, cocoa chili spice rub

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