This Sweet and Smokey Spice Rub is a real game changer in the kitchen. It is super quick and easy to put together, but can be used for SOOO many different dishes. I have been rubbing it on ribs, marinating chicken breasts with it, sprinkling it on breakfast potatoes, and even making the most delicious smokey spiced pecans with it (btw the recipe for the pecans will be up next week, you are going to love it!)
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Once you mix the little concoction together you can just pop it into an airtight container and keep it on the spice rack for when you need something to give that next dish a little kick. I get the kids to mix it all together for me – they love measuring out the different spices and then giving the jar a good shake.
We use little mason jars for storage – just remember to put a little label on the top so you remember what’s in there. The spice rub will last forever as long as it is sealed tight, so if you come across it months from now you may need that label as a reminder 🙂
Oh and another bonus – making your own spice rubs is a great way to save money! If you have been into one of those specialty spice stores lately, you may have noticed that they charge a small fortune for spice rubs. My husband came home with one just before Christmas and I couldn’t believe it when he told me the price. They must have had huge windows and seen him coming because they seriously took him to the cleaners 😛 No seriously it was pretty much daylight robbery!! And at least when you make your own you know exactly what’s going in there!
What would you rub this Sweet and Smokey Spice Rub on? If you need some inspiration then check out my Slow Cooked Ribs, and simply switch out the Chinese five spice for 2 tbsp of this spice rub – you won’t be disappointed.

A gorgeous sweet and smokey rub for infusing flavor into meats and vegetables. Stores forever in an airtight container. Perfect to have on hand in the spice rack for when that special dish needs a little bit more of a kick.
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp coconut sugar
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
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Pop all the spices into a small airtight container. Close the lid tight and give it a really good shake until all spices are mixed together.
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Keep stored in the airtight container. Keeps for a long long time.
Smoked paprika is one of my all-time favorite flavors. I love the balance of smokey, sweet and spicey in this rub. Pinned to my grilling page!
It has the best flavor doesn’t it!! I am a little bit addicted and use it in everything 🙂
My husband loves spices, thus our blog name 😉 , and he would love to add this rub to his collection! Looks and sounds amazing!
Love the blog name!! He should definitely try this one out 🙂
Awesome spice rub! And yes, they are so expensive when you buy it in the store. Thanks for the great recipe.
I know, they can be ridiculous in the store!
I love homemade spice mixtures! This one sounds delicious!
They are definitely so much better than store bought versions!!
İ like to keep some mix spice ready to use in my pantry. and this gonna be my new spice mix. thx for sharing recipe.
Me too 🙂 They are super handy to have ready and waiting in the pantry – and they last forever, which is a huge bonus! Hope you love this one as much as we do!!