Bowl Me Over

Delicious recipes that (most times!) end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over. My goal is to inspire you, making meal time more fun and less complicated!

Home » Salad Dressings and Sauces » Spice Rub – easy to make!

Spice Rub – easy to make!

by 46 Comments

Easy and Tasty Chef's Blend Spice Rub Recipe takes only five minutes to make and stores easily in your pantry. It's simple to make and you can easily store it in your spice cabinet. It's delicious on pork, seafood, chicken or beef. So versatile and so flavorful!
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Easy and tasty this Spice Rub Recipe takes only five minutes to make and adds big delicious flavor for pork, seafood, chicken or beef! It’s a versatile seasoning that is simple to store in a jar in your pantry

PIN IT HERE!!!

Homemade spice rub recipe in glass jar with spoon
This spice rub recipe is so easy to make you can use it on chicken, shrimp, pork or beef!

Easy Spice Rub

I’ve been using this rub for years, but never put it on paper. When Mom was here we made it a couple of times and now I finally have it written down to share with you!

You’re going to seriously love this recipe!

Spoon with herbs and seasoning.
Five minutes to make and easy to store you’re going to love this recipe for spice rub!

BBQ Spice Rub

I really love making my own seasoning mixes – my Montreal Steak Seasoning Recipe is the BEST I’ve ever tried! I mix it up every six weeks or so. It’s got great flavor whether you’re using on steak, chicken or even a sprinkle in pasta salad adds great flavor!

Have you ever tried making your own? It’s so simple, I hope you give it a try!

What is a dry rub?

A dry rub is a mix of spices and herbs blended together. Spices can be toasted (or not). They are combined together, mixed and stored until ready to use.

Popular dry rubs are Cajun – bringing some hot spicy heat! Jamaican – a smokey, spicy blend and Old Bay Seasoning Mix great for seafood and fish.

Why make your own seasonings?

  • It’s easy to do with ingredients you have on-hand.
  • Cost! It’s a ton cheaper than buying the pre-made mixes.
  • No preservatives, you control the ingredients!
  • It’s not all sodium – you control the spice levels.
  • It won’t be too spicy or too blah because you can make it to your preference!
  • My best reason? It tastes 100 times better than store-bought!
A glass jar filled with spice rub.
Save money by making your own Spice Rub

Easy Spice Rub

Ingredients for Spice Rub

  • Cumin – for warm, earthy flavor.
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds – with a subtle nutty flavor they bring a slight crunch to the rub.
  • Red Chili Powder – for fruity heat
  • Turmeric – mildly aromatic, it’s a mixture of ginger and orange
  • Oregano – pungent and earthy, it adds depth to this rub.
  • Sumac – tangy and lemony, without the tartness!
  • Salt – to balance and enhance the flavors!

Simple enough to make right? You got this!!

Now there are a couple ingredients on the list you may not keep regularly in your spice cabinet.

  • No turmeric? Your best substitute would be dried ginger. It will change the taste of the rub a bit, but if you don’t want to buy a spice you may not use again just substitute with dried ginger. What I love about turmeric is the bright yellow beautiful color!
  • No Sumac? Substitute lemon pepper seasoning. Again this will change the flavor a bit but I’d hate for you to be purchasing spices and seasoning you don’t ordinarily use.

Make this. Use it. Love it! I know we do!!!

A spoon filled with herbs and seasoning.
An easy combination of spices combine to make this rub.

Spice Rub Recipes

How to store the dry rub?

What is the best way to store the mix? A small glass jar with a screw top lid or Tupperware type container. Kept in a cool, dark they will last longer.

More homemade spice blends from the blog!

Homemade Taco Seasonin
Taco Seasoning is super easy to make, tastes 100 times better than the seasoning in the packet and saves you money! Plus you can customize to your taste – spicy, mild – whatever you enjoy. So why not make it yourself?
Check out this recipe
Montreal Steak Seasoning Recipe
Big robust flavors in Montreal Steak Seasoning Spice Mix! You'll love how easy is to make and how delicious it tastes! Liven up your meal with this perfect balance of flavors.
Check out this recipe
Montreal Steak Seasoning in glass jar with spoon
Homemade Dry Rub for Ribs
Fire up the grill and liven the flavors of your meal with this sweet rib rub! It’s great for pork or chicken, the brown sugar caramelizes and flavors the meat. The smokey paprika and chili powder and spices enhance the grilled flavors!
Check out this recipe
A small jar filled with sweet rib rub. There's a spoonful off to the side.
Fajita Spice Mix
Easy to make and 100 times better than store-bought, homemade seasoning mixes are so delicious! You have all of the ingredients in your pantry already, why not make your own!
Check out this recipe
Dry spice mix in orange jar with spoon.

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

Measuring Spoons – they are easy to measure with and the shape fits right into spice jars – love that!!

When you make this please be sure to tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover – I’d love to see your pictures! And if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

Spice Rub

Homemade spice rub recipe in glass jar with spoon
Print Recipe
5 from 14 votes

Chef’s Blend Spice Rub Recipe

Easy and Tasty Chef’s Blend Spice Rub Recipe takes only five minutes to make and stores easily in your pantry. It’s simple to make and you can easily store it in your spice cabinet. It’s delicious on pork, seafood, chicken or beef. So versatile and so flavorful!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Sauces and Dressing
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dry rub, Spice Mix, spices
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 26kcal
Author: Deb Clark
Cost: $6
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp red chili powder
  • 1 tbsp turmeric
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp sumac
  • 1 tbsp salt

Instructions

  • Add the sesame seeds to a dry skillet over medium/low heat. Shake frequently and toast the seeds until golden brown. When you smell them toasting – good chance they are done! Do not let them burn (turn black) remove from the skillet as soon as they are toasted as if you leave them in the skillet they will continue to cook.
  • Combine the ingredients and mix together well.
  • Store in an airtight container. For use on chicken, seafood, pork or beef. Enjoy!

Notes

No turmeric? Your best substitute would be dried ginger. It will change the taste of the rub a bit, but if you don’t want to buy a spice you may not use again just substitute with dried ginger.
What I love about turmeric is the bright yellow beautiful color!
No Sumac? Substitute lemon pepper seasoning. Again this will change the flavor a bit but I’d hate for you to be purchasing spices and seasoning you don’t ordinarily use.

Nutrition

Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1208mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 820IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2.1mg

Sign up for my recipes here!!

Don’t worry, we’ll never share your email.

About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Comments

  1. Liza says

    5 stars
    Sometimes all you really need to make a dish special is that “secret rub”! I’m learning it a hard way from my husband constantly complaining at the lack of flavor in my cooking! Knowing this formula can make a break your cooking! And this rub is that perfect, delicious answer!!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Bowl Me Over says

      It’s got big flavor Liza, mix some up so you have it handy! I don’t believe that about your cooking though, I’m pretty sure everyone is standing in line looking for seconds!!

      Reply

  5. Michelle Turner says

    This is wonderful. I use it for so many things, even throw a tsp or more into soup. Hope your black eyes go away soon.

    Reply

  11. Angela says

    5 stars
    A perfect blend of spices!!! I have almost all the ingredients! Will have to pick up the rest because this sounds like it would be great in so many dishes! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  13. Ashlyn says

    5 stars
    My mind is full of ideas of ways to use this rub! Thank you for the substitution suggestions as well. I have everything but sumac so will try it with the lemon pepper!

    Reply

  16. Jennifer A Stewart says

    5 stars
    Making my own spice rubs at home has become my new favorite past time. I love that I can use the spices I have at home, customize it to my tastes and my family’s taste, and it doesn’t have any fillers, preservatives, or so much extra salt that it is almost inedible. This one looks very tasty and I do have some sumac that I need to use up!

    Reply

    • Bowl Me Over says

      That’s totally the case, right? Store bought is so full of preservatives and things you can’t pronounce! When you make it at home your options are so much bigger and you only need to make what you need! Love sumac, it’s such an interesting spice!

      Reply

  18. michele says

    5 stars
    Its so much better when you make them homemade… I like that you add the sesame seeds… what a great idea!!

    Reply

  20. Julie says

    5 stars
    I love using dry rubs and have never had one with sumac! I’m going over the spice store today so will definitely add it to my list. I am so glad that I got my instant pot when I did and love the convenience and the yummy recipes for using it!

    Reply

Trackbacks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More From the Blog

Recipes using leftover ham
Sandwich spread in glass bowl
Sliced ham on platter.
Egg Roll in a bowl with chopsticks.
Navy Bean Soup in White Bowl with spoon.
Fajitas on pan with bowls of lime and jalapeños on the side.