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Home » Recipes » Dry Rubs & Seasonings

Cocoa Chili Rub

Updated: Apr 24, 2024 · Published: Jun 27, 2022 by Nicole B. · Leave a Comment

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
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This cocoa chili rub is sweet, spicy, smoky and a little bit chocolatey. It's made with cocoa powder, ancho, chipotle, brown sugar, salt and garlic powder and adds unique flavor to grilled or pan-seared steaks.

Cocoa chili rub being stirred in a bowl.

Recipe ingredients and notes:

This 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, dark, slightly smoky flavor that's intensified by unsweetened cocoa powder. Brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness and helps create a delicious, charred crust on the meat once the sugar caramelizes.

  • I like to use natural unsweetened cocoa powder (as opposed to Dutch process cocoa powder) for this dry rub. Natural cocoa powder has a slightly sharper flavor, which works well in this rub.
  • You can use light or dark brown sugar for this rub.
Chipotle powder, garlic powder, ancho chili, salt, cocoa powder and brown sugar.

Full Recipe

Cocoa chili rub being stirred in a bowl.
Author: The Spice Train

Cocoa Chili Rub

This cocoa chili rub is sweet, spicy, earthy and a little bit chocolatey. It adds a unique and delicious flavor to grilled or pan-seared steaks.
Makes about ¼ cup. I recommend to use about ½ tablespoon per 6-ounce steak.
Print Version (does not include images) Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Servings: 8
Course: Dry Rubs and Seasonings
Cuisine: Mexican, World
Calories: 8
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

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

Equipment:

  • measuring spoons
  • mixing bowl
  • spoon or small whisk
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Method:
 

  1. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir until well combined and no cocoa powder clumps or brown sugar clumps remain.
  2. Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool and dry place.

Recipe notes:

*I like to use natural unsweetened cocoa powder (as opposed to Dutch process cocoa powder) for this spice rub. Natural cocoa powder has a sharper flavor that works well in this spice rub.
**You can use light or dark brown sugar.
How to use the rub:
  • Pat the meat dry using paper towels.
  • Sprinkle the dry rub evenly on the meat.
  • Grill or sear.
Did you make this recipe?Please consider leaving a review- THANK YOU!

Nutrition (estimate only):

Calories: 8kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 292mgPotassium: 13mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1.6gCalcium: 3mg

More steak rub recipes:

  • Here is another great steak rub with brown sugar.
  • For more spicy and smoky flavors check out this espresso rub recipe.
  • This chimichurri seasoning has a great herb, pepper and lemon flavor.

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I'm Nicole and this is my website. Here you'll find flavorful recipes that center around spices.

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