Meathead's Memphis Dust Rub Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cfirmly packed dark brown sugar
- ¾ cwhite sugar
- ½ camerican paprika
- ¼ cgarlic powder
- 2 tbspground black pepper
- 2 tbspground ginger powder
- 2 tbsponion powder
- 1 tbsprosemary
Directions
- 1
Mix. Grind the rosemary leaves into a powder. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. If the sugar is lumpy, crumble the lumps by hand or on the side of the bowl with a fork. If you store the rub in a tight jar, you can keep it for months. If it clumps just chop it up, or if you wish, spread it on a baking sheet and put it in a 225°F (107.2°C) oven for 15 minutes to drive off moisture. No hotter or the sugar can burn.
- 2
How to use it. Since our rub recipes contain no salt (we explain why in the headnote above), we recommend you sprinkle on 1/2 teaspoon of Morton Coarse Kosher Salt per pound (453.6 g) of meat up to 12 hours in advance. For most meats, dampen the surface of the meat with water and sprinkle enough Meathead's Memphis Dust on to coat, but not so much you can't see the meat below. Apply the rub thick enough to make a crunchy crust. Keep your powder dry as the old expression goes. To prevent cross-contamination, one hand sprinkles on the rub and the other hand does the rubbing. Don't put the hand that is rubbing into the powder or use it to hold the bottle.
- 3
For A Whole Hog. If you are doing whole hog on a cinderblock pit over direct heat, you don't want to risk the sugar burning, so omit the sugars.
Meathead's Memphis Dust Rub Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving that iconic BBQ flavor that wins competitions and makes taste buds sing? Look no further than Meathead's Memphis Dust Rub, the legendary all-purpose blend that promises restaurant-quality results in your own backyard.
This isn't just any spice blend; it's arguably the most popular BBQ rub recipe on the internet, trusted by countless home cooks and even competition teams. It's meticulously formulated for balanced flavor, appealing color, and, crucially, to help form that coveted perfect crust, or bark, when cooked at low temperatures. Its versatility also means you'll reach for it again and again.
Prepare your palate for a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, with a subtle aromatic depth. The dark and white sugars caramelize beautifully, contributing to that rich, mahogany color and crunchy exterior that serious BBQ fanatics adore. American paprika adds a vibrant hue and earthy notes, while garlic and onion powder provide a foundational savoriness. A hint of ginger and rosemary rounds out this complex profile, making your pork, chicken, fish, or vegetables truly shine. You'll experience a robust flavor that enhances, rather than overwhelms, the natural taste of your chosen protein.
While this rub is renowned as an all-purpose pork rub, its robust flavor profile extends beautifully to other proteins. Feel free to use Meathead's Memphis Dust Rub on chicken for a crispy skin and juicy interior, or on fish to add a unique smoky-sweet complexity. It even elevates roasted or grilled vegetables, transforming simple sides into standout dishes.
This versatile dry rub is your secret weapon for any grilling or smoking occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to weekend cookouts. It's designed to infuse your meats and vegetables with deep flavor, creating memorable meals that everyone will rave about.