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Dry Rub and Seasoning Recipes

Whether you're looking for a breakfast sausage recipe or are wondering how to season ground beef, you'll find great recipes here.

What are dry rubs and seasonings?

Both dry spice rubs and seasonings are blends of different dried spices, herbs and sometimes salt and/or sugar. Dry rubs are meant to be rubbed or sprinkled onto raw meats and seafoods and add both flavor and texture after cooking. Seasonings can be sprinkled on meats and seafoods as well but are also used to flavor sauces, dressings and more.

(You can also turn a dry rub into a wet rub by using it in combination with a liquid ingredient. For example, you can spread mustard on ribs and then sprinkle the mustard with a dry rub.)

Should you oil meat before applying dry rub?

You can either oil meat before applying dry rub or sprinkle the rub directly onto the dry meat. If you cook the meat in hot oil on all sides, then there is no need to oil the meat beforehand. But if you plan on grilling or roasting the meat, you can oil it before applying the dry rub.

How do you get dry rub to stick to meat?

Make sure to pat the meat or seafood dry with paper towels first. Then rub or sprinkle the dry rub either directly onto the dry meat or brush a bit of oil on and then apply the dry rub. As long as you pat the meat dry, the rub will stick (regardless of whether or not you use oil).

How much dry rub should you use per pound of meat?

This will vary from recipe to recipe. I list recommended amounts of dry rub in the recipe cards for each of the dry rub recipes below.

How to use dry rubs and seasonings:

Below you'll find easy recipes for delicious rubs and seasonings. Some were created for a specific purpose, like this rub for country style ribs or this dry rub for turkey breast. Others are great in a number of applications, like this chipotle bbq dry rub.

Dry rubs for chicken:

  • Curry chicken rub in a glass bowl.
    Curry Rub for Chicken Breast
  • Grilled chicken with Italian seasoning.
    Italian Chicken Seasoning
  • Orange pepper seasoning in a glass bowl.
    Orange Pepper Seasoning Recipe
  • Mexican chicken seasoning being mixed in a glass bowl.
    Mexican Dry Rub for Chicken
  • Chicken wing dry rub in a bowl.
    Chicken Wing Dry Rub (no sugar)
  • Sumac seasoning in a jar.
    Sumac Dry Rub for Chicken
  • Mediterranean seasoning in a jar.
    Mediterranean Spice Rub for Chicken
  • Chili lime rub in a glass jar.
    Chili Lime Rub Recipe
  • Smoked paprika rub in a glass jar.
    Smoked Paprika Chicken Rub

Dry rubs for seafood:

  • Chipotle lime seasoning in a bowl.
    Chipotle Lime Seasoning
  • A raw, spice-rubbed cod fillet on a plate.
    Cod Spice Rub
  • A raw tuna steak with seasonings.
    Ahi Tuna Rub
  • Seasoned shrimp on a baking sheet.
    Shrimp Seasoning Mix
  • Two spice-rubbed salmon fillets on a white plate.
    Brown Sugar Salmon Rub
  • Lemon dill seasoning in a jar with a spoon.
    Lemon Dill Seasoning Recipe

Dry rubs for beef:

  • Brown sugar steak rub in a bowl.
    Brown Sugar Steak Rub
  • A seasoned frozen hamburger patty on a plate.
    Frozen Hamburger Seasoning Recipe
  • Espresso steak rub in a bowl with a spoon.
    Espresso Steak Rub Recipe
  • Cocoa chili rub being stirred in a bowl.
    Cocoa Chili Rub
  • A raw, spice-rubbed beef roast on a plate.
    Dry Rub for Chuck Roast
  • Ground beef seasoning in a bowl.
    All-Purpose Ground Beef Seasoning

Dry rubs for pork:

  • Chipotle cinnamon rub in a bowl.
    Chipotle Cinnamon Rub Recipe
  • Pork tenderloin rub in a bowl.
    Pork Tenderloin Rub (no sugar)
  • Pork belly seasoning being stirred in a bowl.
    Pork Belly Rub
  • Breakfast sausage seasoning in a bowl with a spoon.
    Bulk Pork Breakfast Sausage Seasoning
  • Pulled pork rub in a bowl with a spoon.
    Dry Rub for Pulled Pork in the Oven (no sugar)
  • Raw spice-rubbed boneless ribs on a glass plate.
    Boneless Country Style Ribs Dry Rub
  • Two slabs of raw baby back ribs with mustard rub in a baking dish.
    Mustard Rib Rub

Multi-purpose dry rubs and seasonings:

  • Cinnamon chili spice rub in a glass bowl.
    Cinnamon Chili Spice Rub
  • Ancho rub being stirred in a glass bowl.
    Paprika Ancho Rub
  • Chimichurri seasoning on a plate.
    Chimichurri Seasoning Recipe
  • Chipotle bbq dry rub in a bowl with a spoon.
    Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub Recipe
  • Cuban seasoning in a glass jar.
    Cuban-Inspired Spice Rub Recipe
  • Fennel seasoning in a bowl with a spoon.
    Fennel Spice Rub
  • Dry Rub for Turkey Breast
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • Ras el Hanout Grilled Chicken Salad with Sumac Dressing
    Cook Time2 Hours 25 Minutes
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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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