Homemade Pork Shoulder Rub

When it comes to smoking meat, the right rub can make all the difference. And when my friends and I first started smoking pork shoulders, we quickly learned that rubs can be quite expensive. At first, we relied on store-bought pork shoulder rubs, but after multiple cooks, the cost started to add up.

We noticed that some of the best pork rubs on the market cost up to $14.99 for a single shaker. While we certainly appreciated the quality and taste of these rubs, we knew that we couldn’t afford to keep spending that much money on rubs every time we wanted to smoke pork shoulder, brisket, or ribs.

That’s when we decided to take matters into our own hands and create our own homemade pork shoulder rub. We did some research and experimented with different combinations of herbs and spices until we found the perfect blend. Not only was the homemade rub much cheaper than the store-bought versions, but it also gave us the freedom to customize the flavor to our liking.

Making your own homemade pork shoulder rub allows you to experiment with different ingredients and spices, and create unique flavor profiles that you can’t find in any store-bought rub.

Now, we still occasionally splurge on a high-quality rub from Meat Church or other specialty brands, but we also have our own homemade rub recipe that we use regularly. It’s become a staple in our smoking routine, and we love the fact that we can save money while still enjoying delicious, flavorful pork shoulders.

It turns out it’s very easy, economical, and you can customize the rub for your tastes and preferences. We’ll share with you our favorite homemade pork shoulder rub, and how you can create rubs in bulk for all your future cooks. If you’re cooking for the first time, learn how to use dry rub here.

Odds are you have the majority of the ingredients in your home, but there may be a few that you need to pick up along the way.

Pork Shoulder Rub Ingredients

Spices needed: paprika, brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, chili powder and chili flakes. Coarse smoked salt is also another unique ingredient to experiment with your dry rubs.

Equipment needed: food processor, although can also be mixed by hand or in a blender. Note, if you don’t have all of the ingredients below don’t fret. Test out what you have, and you can always make adjustments based on how you like your rubs.

Pork Shoulder Rub Recipe

Simply place all of the ingredients above in a food processor. Pulse the dry ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed together. This can be approximately 3-4 pulse. If you want to ensure a thorough distribution, you can open the lid, mix with a large wooden spoon, and pulse a few more times. That’s it, the rub is complete! This rub also works really well on pork tenderloin.

Rub Shakers & Containers

Once the rub is complete, the final step is to transfer the rub from the food processor into a spice shaker. When it comes to finding a container for your homemade rub, there are several options to consider. One option is to purchase a spice shaker from a store or online retailer. Spice shakers come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, and can be made from plastic, glass, or metal. Some spice shakers even come with adjustable settings that allow you to control the amount of seasoning you apply.

Another option is to recycle old containers from previously store-bought rubs. When you finish a store-bought rub, you can clean out the container and reuse it for your homemade rub. This is not only an eco-friendly option, but it can also save you money. Plus, you may already have a few empty containers lying around your kitchen that can be repurposed.

If you are just starting out with making rubs, you may not have any containers on hand. However, as you continue to experiment with different recipes and create more rubs, you will start to amass a collection of these bottles. Over time, you can organize and label these containers for easy reference and storage.

You have now created your first rub. Let us know how it tastes!

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