Dry spice rub mixes are a great way to add plenty of flavour to meat, poultry and fish. Often, we opt for premade store-bought rubs instead of throwing together our own. It’s convenient and easy to use, but they just don’t pack the same flavour punch as DIY rubs. Homemade spice rubs are not only cheaper than the store-bought versions, but also allows you to be in control of what goes into them. Sensitive to MSG? Need a lower-sodium content? Like a bit more heat? Mild down or amp them up to your liking. With this guide, you’ll never buy store-bought again.

Mexican Spice Rub

Thinking of making fajitas at home? Or maybe you’d just like to spice up your regular grilled veggies and fish with a hint of Tex-Mex flavours? This simple recipe is a good jumping off point. As you get more familiar with this simple recipe, you can even tweak it to your liking.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 3 teaspoons cumin
• 3 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

 

Moroccan Spice Rub

This vibrant spice blend makes a great seasoning to lamb burgers or roasted chicken. The sweet and savoury contrast adds an additional umami flavour to the meat and you can spice it up or down as much as you’d like with the amount of cayenne you include in your personalised rub.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 4 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne

 

Greek Spice Rub

Packed full of flavour thanks to the herby characteristic of Greek cuisine, this spice blend works well with fish, chicken skewers, and even vegetables. Throw it on some broccoli or potatoes for a quick bake and you’ll get well seasoned vegetables on the side.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 teaspoons onion powder
• 4 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 4 teaspoons basil
• 2 teaspoons dill
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper

 

BBQ Spice Rub

If you like your meats to have crisp contrasts of sweet and savoury, then this is one for you. The sweetness from the brown sugar (which will caramelise as you cook your meat) and the spicy savoury flavour from the chili powder is bound to hit the spot. If you’re into more heat, crank it up a notch by adding some more cayenne.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

 

BONUS TIPS

Blend It Fine

Whiz the ingredients in a small food processor or coffee grinder for a finer blend. This way, you’ll get everything evenly incorporated when you marinate your meat.

Reuse & Recycle

Clean old spice bottles to store your DIY seasoning. You can also use mason jars to keep your spices but why spend the money? Worse comes to worst, plain old plastic ziplock baggies will do just fine.

Timeless Rub

If you’re making large quantities to store, make sure your container is airtight, especially for recipes that have sugar in them. Stored correctly, your rubs should keep for up to a year!

Keep It Fresh

Light, moisture and heat are the worst enemies of spices, so apart from storing your blends in airtight containers, keep them in a cool and dark places. This prevents your delicious spice rubs from losing too much potency or flavour over time.