Sweet Brown Sugar Rub Recipe

Sweet Brown Sugar Rub

This Sweet Brown Sugar Rub is the perfect blend of sweet and savory, and it’s sure to become your new go-to recipe for grilling season. So fire up the grill and get ready to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills!

Any good chef knows that the secret to a great grill is a good rub. A dry rub is a mixture of spices that is rubbed into the meat before cooking. It adds flavor and helps to keep the juices in, resulting in a more tender and flavorful piece of meat.

One of the best things about this sweet brown sugar rub recipe is that it so versatile! This rub tastes amazing as a sweet pork rub, on pork shoulder for pulled pork, on chicken thighs, and even on chicken wings!

One of our favorite variations of this rub recipe is adding a hint of heat with chili powder for a sweet yet spicy rub perfect for beef or chicken.

Yones Bbq Rubs

Why Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is a key ingredient in many BBQ rub recipes. It adds a sweet and slightly molasses-like flavor to the rub, which helps balance out the saltiness of the other ingredients. In addition, brown sugar also helps create a caramelized crust on the meat when it’s cooked. This caramelization adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the meat, making it more enjoyable to eat.

When brown sugar is used in a rub, it creates a texture that is both granular and sticky. This allows the rub to adhere well to the meat, which helps ensure that it’s evenly coated. As the meat cooks, the sugar in the rub melts and caramelizes, creating a slightly crunchy texture on the surface of the meat. This adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the meat, making it more enjoyable to eat.

In terms of taste, meat seasoned with brown sugar has a sweet and slightly caramelized flavor that is both complex and delicious. The sweetness of the brown sugar helps balance out the saltiness of the other ingredients, creating a well-balanced flavor profile that is both savory and sweet.

How To Make This Sweet Brown Sugar Rub Recipe

Step 1: Measure Out Your Ingredients

To make a sweet brown sugar rub, you’ll need to measure out all of the ingredients so that you have the perfect amount of everything. This will help ensure that the rub is well-balanced and has the right flavor profile.

For this recipe, you’ll need 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tsp fresh ground black pepper, 2 tsp sweet or smoked paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp oregano.

Step 2: Combine All Ingredients in a Mixing Bowl

Once you have all of your ingredients measured out, you’ll want to combine them in a mixing bowl. This will allow you to mix everything together evenly and ensure that each spice and seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the rub. Make sure to add each ingredient one at a time, stirring after each addition.

Step 3: Mix Well Using a Mixing Spoon

After you’ve added all of the ingredients to the mixing bowl, use a mixing spoon to mix everything together thoroughly. This will ensure that the rub is well combined and that all of the spices are evenly distributed. Take care to scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl to ensure that all of the ingredients are incorporated.

Step 4: Use as a Rub or Store for Later Use

Once your sweet brown sugar rub is thoroughly mixed, you can use it right away as a rub on your chosen meats. Simply rub the mixture onto the meat, making sure to coat it evenly. Alternatively, you can store the rub in a sealed container for later use. This will allow you to use the rub at a later time, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.

More Homemade Rub Recipes

If you enjoyed making the sweet brown sugar rub, you might be interested in trying out other homemade rub recipes. Making your own rubs can be a fun and creative way to experiment with different flavors and spices to enhance the taste of your meat dishes like pork rub.

Here are a few other rub recipes you might want to try:

  • Beef BBQ Rub: This recipe is a classic and versatile blend of spices that is perfect for all types of meat. It includes classic ingredients like coarse salt and black pepper and garlic powder, designed to complement the natural beef taste.
  • Jamaican Jerk Rub: If you’re a fan of spicy food, this rub is for you. It has a Caribbean-inspired flavor and includes ingredients like allspice, cinnamon, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
  • Coffee Rub: This rub is perfect for those who love the taste of coffee and want to infuse it into their meat dishes. It includes ingredients like ground coffee, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and cumin.
Sweet Brown Sugar Rub

Sweet Brown Sugar Rub Recipe

This sweet brown sugar rub is perfect for bringing out the natural flavor of just about any meat, and it’s incredibly easy to make. If you’re looking for a sweet rub that will caramelize perfectly on the smoker, we’ve got you covered.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 1 Measuring Spoons
  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Funnel (optional – if storing)
  • 1 Airtight Container (optional – if storing)
  • 1 Anti-Moisture Silica Packet (optional – if storing)

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika or smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp oregano

Instructions
 

  • Measure out your ingredients so you have the perfect amount of everything.
  • Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
  • Mix well using a mixing spoon to ensure a thoroughly combined rub.
  • Use as a rub on your chosen meats, or put in a sealed container for later use.

Sweet Brown Sugar Rub Recipe FAQs

What types of meat can I use sweet brown sugar rub on?

This sweet brown sugar rub is versatile and can be used on a variety of meats, including pork chops, pulled pork, chicken, beef, and even fish. Any sweet rubs will be especially good as a pork chop rub in a pork chop recipe.

Can I adjust the ingredients to my liking?

Yes, you can adjust the ingredients in sweet brown sugar rub to suit your taste preferences. For example, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper if you prefer less heat.

How long should I let the rub sit on the meat before cooking?

It is recommended to let the rub sit on the meat for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Can I use this rub on vegetables or tofu?

Yes, sweet brown sugar rub can be used on vegetables or tofu for a delicious and flavorful vegetarian or vegan option.

Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar in the rub?

No, brown sugar is recommended for this recipe as it has a higher molasses content, which adds flavor and helps with caramelization. Brown sugar also popular to make other rib rub recipes.

Can I store the leftover rub in the freezer for long-term storage?

Yes, you can store the leftover rub in the freezer for long-term storage. Just make sure to thaw it out before using it again.

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