Homemade BBQ Seasoning Recipe

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This homemade BBQ seasoning is the easiest way to add big, smokey, and slightly sweet BBQ flavor to chicken, pork, and more! Made with simple pantry seasonings, this BBQ seasoning takes just a few minutes to mix together and is perfect for grilling, baking, or air frying.

This seasoning is especially delicious on my baked BBQ pork chops, where it creates a flavorful, sweet and smokey crust as the pork chops bake.

A top-down view looking directly into an open, square glass jar filled with vibrant BBQ seasoning. The close-up highlights the coarse texture, showing a mix of reddish spices and distinct grains of salt.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Macro shot of a glass spice jar tipped on its side, spilling a vibrant, reddish-brown homemade bbq seasoning rub in a neat pile on a white marble surface.

Easy to make: Just mix everything together in a bowl and done.
Simple Ingredients: Uses ingredients you most likely have on hand.
Great on chicken and pork: It works with just about any protein, including salmon and shrimp.
Customizable: Make it sweeter or spicier to suit your taste.

Q&A:

How much BBQ seasoning should I use?

A good starting point is 1 Tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat. You can use more or less depending on how heavily seasoned you like your food.

Can I use this BBQ seasoning without BBQ sauce?

Absolutely! You don’t need BBQ sauce to use this seasoning. The seasoning gives meat plenty of BBQ flavor.

Equipment Needed:

Small mixing bowl
Spoon
Empty spice jars

Ingredients (Full recipe located in recipe card below):

Brown Sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground black pepper, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder, each in a round spice dish, with the spice dishes arranged neatly in a circle on a white marble surface.

Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Chili Powder
Smoked Paprika
Brown Sugar
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a small bowl.

Smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder neatly arranged in an off-white bowl.

Stir until well blended with no clumps.

Smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder blended in an off-white bowl.

Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Homemade BBQ seasoning being poured from an off-white bowl into a blue funnel.

Homemade BBQ seasoning in a glass spice jar with a wooden lid and a black circle label with white font that says "BBQ Seasoning".

How to Use BBQ Seasoning:

This seasoning is versatile, so you can use it on chicken, pork, ribs, or vegetables.
For chicken or pork, lightly coat the meat with cooking oil first, then generously sprinkle the BBQ seasoning over all sides. Rub it in so the seasoning sticks to the meat.
Let the meat sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. This gives the seasoning a chance to absorb into the surface of the meat.

Try It On These BBQ Favorites:

This homemade BBQ seasoning is perfect for these air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks when you want an easy dinner with flavorful chicken.
For another family favorite, use it on these BBQ baked chicken thighs. Chicken thighs pair perfectly with a sweet and smokey seasoning.

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Store BBQ seasoning in an airtight jar or container and store it in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

A glass spice jar with a wooden lid, filled with homemade BBQ seasoning. It features a black circular label reading 'NO. 11 BBQ Seasoning' in white text, standing on a white surface scattered with the reddish spice blend.

Pro Tips:

Taste before using the seasoning and adjust to your liking.
I recommend using smoked paprika. Regular paprika is fine, but smoked paprika gives this seasoning that delicious smoky BBQ flavor.

Try These Homemade Seasonings Next: