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You probably know someone in your family who lives to grill and smoke food, and, if so, this DIY BBQ rub recipe is a great idea for a Christmas (or birthday) gift! The ingredients are a perfect blend of spice, savory and sweet flavors, although you can customize it of course. Once you’ve made the rub, you can package it up for a charming homemade look and be sure to impress the lucky recipient. It isn’t just for Dads either – anyone who enjoys cooking and loves food will enjoy this cute homemade gift.

DIY BBQ rub recipe in jars with wooden spoons.

This tasty BBQ rub makes a great homemade Christmas or homemade Father’s Day gift, and it’s so quick and easy to make!

Perhaps you’d also like this honey garlic BBQ smoked pulled chicken or a smoked brisket sandwich. You can use this rub on your favorite smoker recipes to add bold flavor. If you’re making this BBQ rub as a gift, you might like to make this chocolate M&M popcorn DIY gift as well!

Homemade BBQ rub in a jar with a wooden spoon.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy:  If you can mix ingredients together and put them in a jar, you can make this easy dry rub recipe with ease!
Versatile: A great BBQ rub recipe can be used to flavor smoked or grilled meats or even vegetables, poultry or fish. It’s just as delicious on corn on the cob as it is on a juicy pork shoulder, ribs or chicken legs.
Useful: A DIY BBQ rub isn’t the kind of gift that’s going to sit on a shelf never to be looked at again. It’s going to be used often because yes it really does taste that good!

Homemade BBQ rub in jars with wooden spoons.

Ingredients for an Easy BBQ Dry Rub

This rub contains brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and black pepper.

A homemade dry rub kit displayed on a white surface, including various ingredients and bowls.

You also need jars, little serving scoops or spoons and a printer for the labels. A funnel and sieve are also useful.

A homemade dry rub gift jar filled with a variety of spices and accompanied by wooden spoons.

How to Make a BBQ Rub Homemade Gift

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Mix the sugar and spices:  Combine the brown sugar, garlic powder and onion powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and black pepper in a small bowl, sifting through a sieve to get rid of lumps.
Transfer the rub into jars: Use a funnel to divide the seasoning mixture between jars, filling up to the rim.
Label the jars: Print labels and affix to each mason jar or weck jar.
Add a spoon: Tie twine or string around the jar twice and then tie a knot in it, attach the spoon and tie securely, finishing with a bow if liked.

A jar of homemade BBQ rub next to a wooden spoon.

Free Printable Labels for Gift Jars

A cloud icon with an arrow pointing down, perfect for DIY gift ideas or handmade gifts.
Download

Substitutions and Variations

Feel free to change up the recipe as much as you like. Cayenne pepper is nice for adding heat or you could use a different kind of chili powder in place of the chipotle.

Two jars of homemade BBQ rub sitting on a table.

Some white and/or red pepper in place of the black pepper would work too, or use regular paprika in place of the smoked paprika. Dried thyme or a pinch of salt are more ideas for the meat rub recipe.

A homemade dry rub gift kit featuring two jars filled with brown sugar, paired with a wooden spoon.

How to Use a BBQ Spice Rub

Whether you’re planning to make this as a DIY father’s day BBQ gift, for Christmas, a birthday, or another occasion entirely, it’s useful to know how to use it.

A red jar with a scoop of homemade dry rub in it.

Either apply directly to your raw meat or whatever you want to season or mix it with a binder such as prepared mustard and then apply. And then cook the meat and prepare to be impressed! Whether you use it on brisket or any other grill or smoker recipes, you’ll love the flavors it imparts.

Homemade BBQ rub in a jar with a wooden spoon.

How to Store the DIY BBQ Rub Gift

Store:  If you keep the spice rub in the jar in a cool, dark place, it should keep its full flavor for up to 6 months before the taste begins to weaken.
Freeze: Alternatively, keep it in a Ziploc freezer bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Homemade BBQ dry rub in a jar, with a wooden spoon.

Barbeque Rub Recipe FAQs

Do you have to print a sticky label?

No, that’s your choice. If you would rather, you can print out a label and punch a hole with a hole punch. Then just tie it to the jar with twine.

Which jars are best to use, and where do you get the little scoops or spoons?

It’s your choice whether to use weck jars (here), mason jars, or another kind for your dry rubs. As for the little scoops, these wooden spoons (here) come in different sizes.

Homemade dry rub in jars with wooden spoons.

BBQ Rub Recipe

5 from 19 votes

DIY BBQ Rub Recipe

This all purpose DIY BBQ rub gift jar is a blend of spices that pairs with chicken, pork and beef for grilled, roasted or smoked meats.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar
  • 2 Teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon chipotle powder
  • 1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 Teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper

Materials For Gift Jars:

Instructions 

  • Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  • Sift the spices through a fine mesh sieve to make sure there aren’t any lumps.
  • Funnel the BBQ rub into your jars. Tap the jar lightly against the table to let the spices settle, and continue to fill to the rim of the jar
  • Print your label out on sticker paper.
  • Place the sticker on the jar.
  • Cut a section of twine (about 20 inches depending on your jar) and wrap it around the jar two times just under the lid. Tie a knot in the twine.
  • Attach your spoon by tying a knot around it. Once the knot is tied, tie a bow to complete the gift.

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Whether you use it on ribs, brisket, steaks, pork butt, chicken, veggies, or chicken, this delicious and versatile DIY rub is going to add sweet and spicy appeal. Learning how to make your own meat rub kit is really easy and it can be rubbed into the meat or mixed with beer, buttermilk or your favorite grilling liquid. So, if you have family or friends who love making BBQ recipes, this cute homemade dry rub is going to make a fabulous gift for them!

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 19 votes (19 ratings without comment)