Kansas City Style Barbecue Rub
Kansas City-style ribs are renowned for their sweet and spicy flavor, achieved through a balanced blend of spices and barbecue sauce. If you want to serve up that amazing and easily recognizable BBQ, you’ll need a banging rub to get there.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Just a quick word on rubs. After a while doing BBQ, you will notice that rubs and sauces can give you a wildly different experience.
Perhaps, as a backyard BBQer, you started with ‘different’ because you wanted something different from what you would get at the traditional BBQ joints in your city. This was exactly my journey.
This rub recipe is basically a ‘come full circle’ thing. I have pretty much done it all except for that very thing that I fell in love with years ago.
So, if you’re hearkening back to the classic, traditional, sticky, glossy, caramelized BBQ, then start with this base rub. It’s an authentic Kansas City-style rub that, with the BBQ sauce, will deliver the barbeque you’re looking for.
We use this rub, with this Kansas City style BBQ sauce, for our Kansas City Barbecue Ribs. They’re out of this world!
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How To Make This Kansas City Style Rub
Kansas City-style ribs are renowned for their sweet and spicy flavor, achieved through a balanced blend of spices. This is our rub recipe that captures the essence of Kansas City barbecue, and it is as easy as tossing in the spices and combining them well.
pro tip
Get yourself a shaker for all your homemade rubs. It makes for an easy application to anything going onto the smoker. Try one of these out if you’re not quite sure what to go with.
The traditional Kansas City-style rib rub makes approximately 1½ cups (about 12 tablespoons) of dry rub. Depending on how generously you apply it, this amount is enough for 2-3 racks of ribs.
Tips
Balance the Sweetness & Heat – Kansas City BBQ is known for its perfect balance. If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the cayenne or black pepper.
Let the Rub Sit – After applying the rub, let the ribs sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) in the fridge. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Apply a Thin, Even Coat – Don’t cake it on. A light but even layer helps create that perfect bark without overpowering the meat.
Pair It with the Right Wood – Hickory and oak are classic for Kansas City BBQ, giving your ribs that deep, smoky flavor.
Variations
Spicier Kick – Add extra cayenne or a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for more heat.
Savory Twist – Reduce the brown sugar slightly and add a teaspoon of ground cumin for a more complex, smoky taste.
Coffee-Infused Rub – Add 1 tablespoon of finely ground espresso for a deeper, bolder flavor that complements the smokiness.
Smokier Option – Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika to increase the natural smokiness.
FAQ’s
Absolutely! This rub works beautifully on pork shoulder, brisket, chicken, and grilled vegetables.
If stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, it will stay fresh for up to 6 months.
Traditional Kansas City BBQ layers both—the rub forms a deep flavor base, and the sauce caramelizes into a glossy finish.
Yes, but it won’t be quite the same. Try substituting monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar if you’re avoiding refined sugar.
Other Delicious Barbecue Recipes
Kansas City Style Barbecue Rub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (just enough for a mild heat ki
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until evenly combined.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months in a cool, dark place.