Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Michelle

I have always used a meat rub, on all cuts of meat, for grilling or baking, but I decided it was time to learn how to make a meat rub. Because I have learned over the years that homemade is always better. Mainly because I can tweak it until it’s exactly the way everyone loves it, not to mention I know exactly what’s in a homemade meat rub.

meat rub with maple coconut sugar

How to Make a Meat Rub

I got to work, researching tasty options and pulling lots of goodness out of my pantry.

I knew I wanted it to be a maple meat rub, because, well, we are sugarmakers and I’m always substituting maple syrup for sugar. Plus, I did write the book on maple.

While we’re pig farmers and primarily eat pasture-raised pork (you’d never believe how much variety there is in pork… it’s not just ham and bacon guys!), I definitely wanted this homemade meat rub to be yummy on every cut, of every type of meat, from pork to chicken to beef.

This homemade meat rub checks all the boxes, y’all, and I’m in love.

How long should a rub stay on meat before cooking?

Ideally, if you have the time, try to cover your meat in the meat rub an hour or so before you’re going to cook it. The idea is to give the delicious tastes in the rub some time to linger on the meat and penetrate into it before cooking.

On the other hand, we’re usually all pressed for time, right? I can testify that I often don’t think of the rub until right before the meat needs to go in the oven or the smoker. I can also testify it still tastes delicious.

Join me as I mix this meat rub together (right before dinner is due to go in the smoker I might add):

Does a dry rub need sugar and salt?

Meat rubs can be as unique as the cooks themselves, but often you’ll find meat rubs have spices and sugar in them. That tends to form a wonderful crust of flavor around the meat as it cooks (you can see the amazing meat rub crust around our ham roast in the video above).

I haven’t bought refined sugar in years (find out why in my Complete Guide to Sugars) but we love lots of natural, complex sugars. My two favorite in this rub are maple sugar and/or coconut sugar. But, trust me, whatever sugars you have on hand will work beautifully.

Homemade Maple Meat Rub

With just 7 simple ingredients, you can mix up your own homemade meat rub that the family will love. It stores well for a long time, so feel free to make a bulk batch, so it’s always on hand.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup maple sugar (find out How to Make Maple Sugar)

2 tablespoons garlic powder

4 teaspoons onion powder

2 tablespoons coarse salt (this is the best! Use code SOULYRESTED)

2 teaspoons cinnamon (this is what I use)

4 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons pepper

DIRECTIONS

Mix all 7 ingredients together well.

Store in a mason jar, with a sealed lid.

Coat your meat prior to cooking by slathering a very thin layer of mustard on your meat, on all sides, followed by the meat rub.

On average, use 2 TB of rub per pound of meat.

meat rub with maple coconut sugar

NOTES for Making a Meat Rub

• This rub is especially amazing on Pork Rib Roast.

• Coat this homemade meat rub on any cut or option of meat, prior to cooking.

• These sealed mason jar lids are my favorite way to store not only meat rubs, but all my homemade seasonings, homegrown herbs, and my favorite teas. Grab a 4-pack and it’s even better than getting one free!

• You may be tempted to substitute any old salt in this recipe, but know that kosher salt takes any meat rub to the next level. btw, it’s not called “kosher” because it’s been blessed by a rabbi. Instead, the name simply refers to the size of its coarse grains, which make it perfect for rubs. This one is the best, it’s mined in the U.S., and it’s great for making your own Everything Seasoning too. Use code SOULYRESTED to save 15% off your entire order. All the time.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup maple sugar
2 tablespoons garlic powder
4 teaspoons onion powder
2 tablespoons coarse salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
4 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons pepper

Instructions

Mix all 7 ingredients together well.
Store in a mason jar, with a sealed lid.
Coat your meat prior to cooking by slathering a very thin layer of mustard on your meat, on all sides, followed by the meat rub.
On average, use 2 TB of rub per pound of meat.

Notes

• Feel free to use whatever sugar you have on hand, but maple sugar and coconut sugar both give awazing results.

• Coat this homemade meat rub on any cut or option of meat, prior to cooking.

• Mason jars are the perfect way to store this meat rub. See my lid suggestion above.

meat rub with maple coconut sugar

Items I use to Make Homemade Meat Rubs

Maple sugar makes the best meat rubs, not to mention all things baked.

I have more than a dozen of these lids and use them for herbs, seasonings, teas, sugars, and more.

I highly recommend this organic, delicious cinnamon.

With its its larger, coarser grain size, this salt (mined in the US and loaded with 64+ trace minerals) is a chef’s favorite.

This vacuum sealer does a nice job helping me store my food.

Coconut sugar is one of my all-time favorite sweeteners. It’s completely all-natural and offers deep hints of caramel. I feel I need to clarify that coconut sugar tastes nothing like coconut.

Talk to me!

If you have any questions, leave a comment below. And please tag me on ig to show me your amazing meat rubs you create @souly.rested.

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