Best Dry Rub for Ribs (no sugar)

Jump to Recipe

When you have an amazing dry rub mix for ribs, you'll don't even need to use the BBQ sauce. You might be shocked by this statement, by I promise you it's true!

I know there's much debate out there if ribs should be served just with a dry rub for pork ribs, with barbecue sauce, or if the ribs should have both dry rub and sauce. What camp do you usually fall in?

✅ Get our FREE healthy meal prep printables + meal plan! 🥑

This is the Best Dry Rub for Ribs!

Up until recently, we always put both the dry rub mix and barbecue sauce on our pork ribs, but now that we've cut sugar from our diet and came up with a savory and high flavor rub mix for pork ribs, we don't even add any sauce.

But oh man, you don't even need sauce if you use our pork rib rub.

And we'll kid you not, this definitely makes the best dry rub mix for ribs, in our humble opinion.

We also made this dry rub mix without sugar and we used stevia as a sweetener instead. By chance you're fine with a little sugar and don't have stevia on hand, you can add in 2 teaspoon of white or brown sugar as a substitute.

Why you'll love this Dry Rub for Ribs

Healthier Option: Without the added sugar, this rub is a healthier choice compared to traditional pork rubs that often contain high amounts of sugar.
Keto and Diabetic Friendly: This rub is perfect for those following a keto diet or for diabetics who need to watch their sugar intake.
Full of Flavor: Despite being sugar-free, this rub is packed with a variety of spices that add depth and complexity to the flavor of your pork.
Versatile: This rub is not just for pork! You can use it on chicken, beef, or even vegetables for a flavorful twist.
Easy to Make: With just a handful of common spices, you can whip up this rub in minutes.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the amounts of each spice to suit your personal taste, making it more or less spicy, smoky, or savory.

How to use this Rib Rub Recipe

We absolutely love to cook ribs in all sorts of ways, whether it is in a crockpot, on the grill, in an instant pot or oven-baked. This dry rub mix is especially our favorite for making baby back ribs.

The baby back ribs in the photo below were baked in the oven with only a dry rub mix. This mix would taste fantastic on chicken too!

Pork Ribs Recipe Ideas:

Pork Ribs Dry Rub ingredients

The ingredient list for the dry rub mix is listed below, by chance you don't have all of this in your cupboard already, shopping for spices in the grocery store bulk section is the cheapest way to buy dried herbs and spices.

1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 Tbsp ground garlic
1 Tbsp ground onion powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon stevia (or 2 teaspoon brown sugar)

If you aren't trying to follow a sugar-free diet, by all means, swap the stevia for brown sugar and make this a brown sugar rub for ribs!

How to make Dry Rub for Ribs

The pork rib rub is seriously so simple it feels funny to even call this a recipe.

To make the dry rub mix, you simply put the cumin, chili powder, ground garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and sweetener in a small bowl.

Mix all pork rib rub ingredients until combined. It's that simple!

The pork rib rub recipe makes 7 Tablespoons of dry rub mix, and you'll need 2+ tablespoon per pork ribs recipe.

How to store Pork Rib Rub

Storing your dry rub for pork ribs works well in a 4 oz small mason jar. Ground spices last up to 2 to 3 years before they start losing their flavor, so this rub should last that long as well.

Although, I highly doubt you'll be keeping your rub mix in the pantry that long, since I'm sure you'll be using it up quickly since it simply makes the best ribs!

We use ¼ cup of rib mix for one rack baby back ribs, we used a little less for our country style ribs since we also add sauce to that recipe.

Best Rib Rub FAQs

Do you rinse ribs before dry rub?

Rinsing ribs (or any meat) before applying a dry rub or cooking is a matter of personal preference and there are differing opinions on this topic. The USDA does not recommend washing or rinsing meat because it increases the risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen from the splashing of water. If you choose to rinse your ribs, be sure to do it carefully to minimize splashing, and always clean your sink and any surfaces the raw meat or splashed water may have touched.

What to put on ribs before seasoning?

Before applying seasoning or a dry rub to ribs, you can use a binder to help the seasoning adhere better to the meat, this is totally optional and we often skip this step for our ribs recipe. Some common options include:
Mustard: Spread a thin layer of yellow mustard over the ribs. This is a popular choice for pork ribs, as the mustard adds a slight tanginess that complements the flavors. The taste of mustard mellows out during cooking and doesn't overpower the seasoning or the meat.
Olive Oil: Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on the ribs and rub it in evenly. This can help the dry rub stick and create a nice crust as the ribs cook.
Worcestershire Sauce: Apply a thin layer of Worcestershire sauce to the ribs before seasoning. This can add a rich, savory flavor and help the dry rub adhere.
Regardless of the binder you use, make sure to apply your dry rub generously, pressing it onto the meat so that it sticks well.

Do you put oil on ribs before dry rub?

You can put oil on ribs before adding a dry rub but it’s optional. We just add the dry rub directly to the meat, pressing it with our hands to make sure it sticks. You can also brush on a thin layer of oil before adding the rub too.

How long should dry rub be on ribs before cooking?

Dry rub can be applied to ribs just before cooking, but for the best flavor, you might want to let the ribs marinate in the rub for a while. At a minimum, try to get the dry rub on the ribs 15-30 minutes before you plan to start cooking. This gives the salt in the rub a little bit of time to penetrate the meat and start breaking down the proteins, which will help the flavor permeate the ribs and will also result in more tender meat.
Letting the ribs sit with the dry rub on for 2-4 hours is ideal and will give you even better flavor. Don’t let the rub sit on the ribs longer than 24 hours.

What is the secret to moist ribs?

Here are some of our secrets to make sure your ribs turn out moist and flavorful:
1. Remove the Membrane: The membrane on the back of the ribs can become tough when cooked. Removing it allows your seasoning to penetrate better and results in more tender ribs.
2. Marinate or Brine: Using a marinade or brine can help to tenderize the meat and add flavor. If you're using a dry rub, let the ribs sit in the rub for a few hours or even overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
3. Cook Low and Slow: Ribs are best when cooked at a low temperature for a long time. This slow cooking process allows the fat and connective tissue in the ribs to melt away, resulting in tender, juicy meat.
4. Use Moist Heat: Cooking ribs wrapped in foil or covered in the oven, in a smoker, or on a grill can help to keep them moist. Some people also like to steam or boil their ribs before grilling or baking.
5. Baste During Cooking: Basting the ribs with a marinade, mop sauce, or even just a bit of apple juice or beer can keep them moist during the cooking process.
6. Let them Rest: Once the ribs are cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it moister.
7. Don't Overcook: While ribs should be cooked to the point where they're tender, overcooking can make them dry out. A good sign that ribs are done is when the meat shrinks away from the ends of the bones.

Other Pork Recipes You'll Enjoy

Let us know your thoughts and feedback about our dry rub for pork ribs! Comment below, rate the recipe, and/or post your photos on the Pinterest pin. 🙂

Best Rib Rub Recipe

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

An easy dry rub for pork ribs mix that is so delicious, you won't even need BBQ sauce! Our version is sugar free and makes enough for multiple batches of pork ribs. This makes the BEST pork rib rub!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground garlic
1 Tbsp ground onion powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon stevia (or 2 teaspoon sugar or brown sugar)

Instructions

Put all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix until combined
Store in a 4 oz jar for up to 2-3 years, until it starts losing flavor.
The recipe makes 7 Tablespoons of dry rub for pork, most recipes will call for 1-2 Tablespoons of dry rub mixture.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to come and hang out with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

We'd Love to Hear From You!

❓❓❓ Got questions or feedback? Please ask questions or post feedback on the post comments.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tap That Recipe Review Star! Be sure to leave a review after you make the pork rib rub recipe or just tap the star rating you'd give the recipe! Easy peasy!

? Show Us Those Photos! Be sure to upload your dry rub for pork ribs recipe photos on the Pinterest pin and tag us on Instagram at @wholelotta.yum! We LOVE featuring reader recipes!

Best Pork Rib Rub Recipe (no sugar!)

This is the Best Dry Rub for Ribs!

Why you'll love this Dry Rub for Ribs