Slow Cooker Pork Roast Dry Rub

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A smoky, sweet & spicy pulled pork rub that is perfect for smoking pork! You can also use this homemade spice blend for slow cooker pulled pork and other grilled meats.

A close up of pulled pork rub recipe

Pulled Pork Rub Recipe

Last summer we got an electric smoker and I've been undeniably hooked on smoked pulled pork ever since. Last fall we played around, testing different rubs and spices for the outside of the pulled pork. This spring we'll share our top creations with you! To get started…pulled pork rub.

Best Pork Rub

I think the best pulled pork rub has to have a good amount of both sweet and spicy. We used dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar to give it a rich, deep & sweet flavor. You can use light brown if that's all you have on hand.
For spice, we add chili powder, cayenne powder and chipotle chili pepper. You can add a little more of one of these spices if you like more spice, but my family found this to be perfect for all 5 of us.
Be sure to use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. It has a rich smoky flavor that will really add to the pulled pork.

ingredients for pulled pork rub in bowls

Bulk Homemade Spice Mix

This recipe makes about 2 cups of spice mix. We use 1/3 cup of spice to cover the outside of a 10 pound pork shoulder. That means this pulled pork rub recipe should be enough to cover about 6 large pork roasts.

This dry rub is not just for smoked meats….sprinkle it on chicken, steak or pork chops and then grill for an easy, quick flavor.

Rub in Spice Mix or Sprinkle Spice Mix?

I've heard people debate on whether to rub in a dry spice mix to the meat or just it on? I've never done a side-by-side comparison, but I really find that I don't have t rub in the spice mix. The meat is generally a little damp which means the spice "sticks" nicely and there is no rubbing needed. You'll find people on both sides of this question though, so just do whatever you like the taste of best.

How Long Will This Spice Mix Keep?

This homemade spice mix will keep about 1 year if stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Always check the spice rubs before using them. They shouldn't be clumpy and they should still have a good aroma. If you are looking for a great spice mix container that will keep spices fresh, try these Herb Preserve Jars. They get great reviews!

Side Dishes for Pulled Pork

Corn Casserole
Potato Salad
Creamy Coleslaw
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Creamy Mac & Cheese

Looking for a unique pork shoulder recipe? Try this Cuban Pernil…infused with garlic and citrus, then slow cooked to fork tender. Delicious!

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Pulled Pork Rub

A smoky, sweet & spicy pulled pork rub that is perfect for smoking pork! You can also use this homemade spice blend for slow cooker pulled pork and other grilled meats.

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 20

Calories 30 kcal

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

1/2 cup smoked paprika
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons chipotle chili pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon dry mustard

Mix together all of the ingredients in a bowl.
Store in an airtight container.
To use, sprinkle a 10 pound pork roast on all sides with 1/3 cup spice rub.
This recipe makes about 2 cups of spice rub. I use about 1/3 cup for a 10 pound roast.

The calories shown are based on the recipe being divided 20 ways, with 1 serving being 1/20 of the recipe. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.

A smoky, sweet & spicy pulled pork rub that is perfect for smoking pork! You can also use this homemade spice blend for slow cooker pulled pork and other grilled meats.

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