Homemade Spice Rub

Chicken, pork tenderloin, shrimp, flank steak, veggies… I pretty much use this on everything! It’s such a great way to add flavor to a meal and it’s very versatile. Plus… have you ever read the ingredients on the basic seasoning mixes at the store? Spices aren’t even the main ingredient! So many times they have corn meal as the first ingredient. Basically just fluff and filler instead of just giving you the delicious flavor.

Little tip to save money while creating your own spice blend… head down the hispanic aisle at the store. They have larger quantities of spices for about a buck a piece which is a total steal compared to the spice aisle. More like 4 to 5 dollars for each spice. No thank you! I like to buy in bulk and mix my own concoction at home. The only benefit I have to originally paying too much for the little spices in the spice jars… I now use those jars to hold my own spice blends! Winning with that one.

My stepkids are getting in the kitchen with me more and more these days and I eat it up! I use a big bowl if they are helping to minimize all the ‘helpful’ spillage that happens. I measure all the ingredients in the palm of their hands and then drop it in the bowl. They get to grind the pepper and mix as long as they’d like. Then scoop it into my reusable spice jar container and viola! Homemade spice rub that lasts for weeks!

Alright… there is cayenne pepper in this spice blend. I normally make it with less cayenne so that I can use it with the kids or company. It’s super easy to just sprinkle a little more cayenne on when it’s just myself and my husband because we like it spicy!! Obviously, adjust it however you’d like.

Homemade Spice Rub

By Lindsay Gosselin Serves: lots! Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• ¼ c paprika
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ c brown sugar (optional)*
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

1

In a medium bowl, measure and add all ingredients.

2

Stir to combine. Store in an airtight container. This will keep well for weeks. Just shake container to mix before using. Enjoy!

Notes

*Omit the brown sugar if you’d like to keep this seasoning completely ‘clean’. If you add it in it’ll help caramelize your protein and add a touch of sweetness. Yum!