This homemade brisket rub is the perfect combination of sweet and smoky flavor. It’s the perfect seasoning for smoked or oven-braised brisket!

If you’ve ever been to Texas, odds are you’ve had a delicious, smoked beef brisket. Brisket, when cooked well, is juicy, tender and loaded with flavor. Of course, much of that flavor comes from the smoker or cooking method, but the perfect dry spice rub is also essential.

So, if you’re looking for the best brisket rub, you’ve come to the right place. My version is a bit unique as I prefer a brisket rub that favors smoky over spicy undertones. That means more paprika and less cayenne pepper. But if you’re one who likes a super spicy brisket, by all means increase the amount of cayenne in this recipe.

Most brisket rubs also use brown sugar, but brown sugar is simply processed white sugar plus molasses. So I swap in an equally sweet and delicious granulated maple sugar. In fact, I think I may actually prefer maple sugar now in all my rubs – the flavor is amazing. Keep reading for all the details!

Brisket Rub Ingredients 

• Smokiness: The main ingredient that gives your brisket a smoky flavor is paprika. If you want to amp this up even more, choose smoked paprika rather than sweet paprika, it’s up to you.
• Sweetness: I prefer to use granulated maple sugar in this recipe for the perfect sweet touch. But coconut sugar would also work great and impart slight caramel undertones. If you’re not concerned about using unrefined sugar, you can swap in brown sugar as well.
• Warm Savoriness: A blend of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper adds depth of flavor to the rest of this rub.
• If you want it spicier… you can always add more cayenne pepper.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below

How To Make Brisket Rub

Stir all the spices together. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and stir until it’s well combined. 

Use immediately or store away. This recipe makes approximately ½ cup of brisket rub, which is perfect for making a 5 to 6-pound brisket. But you can always double or triple the recipe and store it in these glass spice jars. It’ll last for up to one year and will come in handy for any of the ideas below!

Ways To Use Brisket Rub

This dry rub is perfect for brisket, but you could also use it for other cuts of beef, such as steak or tri-tip. It’ll add a deliciously smoky, spiced touch. Alternatively, you can use this for other types of meats such as pulled pork or baked chicken thighs. But that’s totally up to you! 

More Seasoning Recipes

• Cajun Seasoning: Enjoy Southern cooking with Jambalaya or Cajun chicken.
• Fajita Seasoning: Perfect for making chicken fajitas or steak fajitas.
• Taco Seasoning: A versatile blend to make taco soup or taco salad!

I hope you enjoy this brisket rub on your next cut of meat! If you make it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this recipe in the comment section below. Your review will help other readers in the community. 

Recipe originally posted May 2017, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!