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Seasoning a brisket with a homemade rub before smoking.
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Smoked Brisket Dry Rub

This beautifully balanced seasoning complements the rich, savory quality of beef without being overpowering. The herbs and spices, with a hint of sweetness, will turn you into your family’s backyard BBQ hero.
Makes about ¾ cup of rub, enough for 2 briskets
Course seasoning
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 20kcal
Author Imma

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon (15g) salt
  • 1½ tablespoons (14g) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon (10g) garlic powder

Optional Ingredients (see note #1)

  • 2 tablespoons (14g) onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons (18g) smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) ground mustard
  • 2 teaspoons (4g) dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) cayenne pepper
  • 2-4 tablespoons (25-50g) brown sugar (see note #2)

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients (salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, along with your choice of onion powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard, oregano, cumin, cayenne, and brown sugar) in a small bowl, and stir well.
  • Store the rub in a glass jar or airtight container (a ziplock freezer bag also works) in a cool, dry place and use as desired.
  • Slathering the brisket with a thin layer of Dijon mustard makes the rub stick better. Then apply the dry rub liberally.

Notes

  1. The basic rub mix for smoking brisket is known as SPG (salt, pepper, and garlic). This simple and versatile blend lets the flavor of the meat shine through. But you know I can’t resist adding more flavor, so feel free to customize the spices.
  2. Brown sugar is optional. However, besides adding a touch of sweetness, it also caramelizes for a nice bark or crust on the brisket as it smokes.
  3. Freshly ground black pepper does provide optimal flavor, but if you only have preground, it will work just fine. Give it a whiff, and if the aroma is a little faint, just use more of it.
  4. If you prefer roasting your brisket in the oven, smoked salt will add the smoky flavor for you.
  5. Please remember that the nutritional information is an approximation and can vary enormously based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 20kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 242mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 707IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg