DIY Barbecue Spice Rub Jars

This spice rub is a based on a recipe developed by America’s Test Kitchen/Cooks Illustrated to mimic the taste of the ribs at Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous in Memphis, TN.

The label on top of the jars is a custom QR code. When you scan the code with your smartphone, it links to this post of mine explaining the easiest way I know to cook ribs.

For the best deal on spices, look in the Hispanic section of your grocery store. Just mix everything together in the biggest bowl you have. This rub recipe will fill 12 pint jars. Each jar is enough to coat four slabs of ribs. Of course, you can put the rub on anything you like. I sometimes mix a little canola oil with some rub and use it to marinate grilled chicken.

Here’s what you need:

• 3 cups paprika (24 oz)
• 3 cups brown sugar (24 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups table salt (12 oz)
• 1 1/4 cups chili powder (10 oz)
• 1 cup garlic powder (8 oz)
• 1 cup onion powder (8 oz)
• 1 cup black pepper (8 oz)
• 1/2 cup cayenne (4 oz)
• 1/4 cup dried thyme (2 oz)
• 12 (pint-sized) mason jars

I paid $37 for the spices and $11 for the jars.

Cost breakdown: $48/12 = $4 per jar

Not bad, right? If you’d like to make this yourself to give as gifts, you can copy the scan code above and print it onto labels for your own jars (click here for a 300 dpi image).

The wife also made a couple of aprons to go with the spice rub for two guys on her side of the family.