Brown Sugar Rub Recipes

Sweet, smoky, and downright addictive.
Our Brown Sugar Rub caramelizes beautifully on meat and veggies, creating a crave-worthy glaze with just the right balance of savory spice. Perfect for BBQ, roasting, and everyday cooking.

 

#	Recipe	Why It Works	Ingredients (serves 4)	Instructions
1	Caramelized Pork Chops	Brown sugar forms a lacquered crust; spices balance fat.	4 bone-in pork chops; 2 tbsp Brown Sugar Rub; 1 tbsp oil; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp cider vinegar	1) Pat chops dry and season all over with rub. 2) Heat oil in skillet on med-high. 3) Sear 3–4 min/side until golden. 4) Add butter + vinegar; baste 1–2 min. 5) Rest 5 min before serving.
2	Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs	Sugar chars for crispy skin.	8 bone-in thighs; 2½ tbsp rub; 1 tbsp oil; ½ cup BBQ sauce	1) Coat thighs in oil + rub. 2) Bake 425°F 35 min or grill med-high, turning halfway. 3) Brush BBQ sauce last 5 min. 4) Cook to 175°F internal.
3	Sweet-Heat Salmon	Creates a caramelized glaze on rich fish.	4 salmon fillets; 1½ tbsp rub; 1 tsp Dijon; lemon wedges	1) Brush salmon with Dijon. 2) Sprinkle rub evenly. 3) Bake 400°F 10–12 min or air fry 390°F 8–10 min. 4) Squeeze lemon before serving.
4	Candied Bacon Crumbles	Perfect crunchy topper.	12 bacon slices; 2 tbsp rub	1) Lay bacon on rack over baking sheet. 2) Sprinkle rub. 3) Bake 375°F 18–22 min until crisp. 4) Cool and chop.
5	BBQ Shrimp Skewers	Sweet crust forms quickly.	1½ lb peeled shrimp; 1 tbsp oil; 1½ tbsp rub	1) Toss shrimp in oil + rub. 2) Skewer. 3) Grill high heat 2–3 min/side until pink.
6	Smoked Ribs Shortcut	Sweet bark and tender meat.	1 rack baby back ribs; 3 tbsp rub; ¼ cup apple juice; foil	1) Season ribs with rub. 2) Smoke 225°F 3 h. 3) Wrap with apple juice; smoke 2 h. 4) Unwrap; sprinkle rub; smoke 1 h.
7	Glazed Ham Slices	Quick ham dinner.	8 ham steaks; 2 tbsp rub; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp orange juice	1) Melt butter in skillet. 2) Sear ham 1 min/side. 3) Sprinkle rub + splash OJ; bubble 30 sec to glaze.
8	Roasted Carrots	Sweet-spice crusted veg.	2 lb carrots; 2 tbsp rub; 2 tbsp oil	1) Toss carrots with oil + rub. 2) Roast 425°F 25–30 min until caramelized.
9	Sweet Potato Wedges	Caramelized chili-sugar fries.	3 sweet potatoes; 2 tbsp oil; 1½ tbsp rub	1) Cut wedges. 2) Toss oil + rub. 3) Roast 425°F 28–32 min flipping halfway.
10	Sweet-Heat Burgers	Sugary crust + spice pop.	2 lb ground beef; 1½ tbsp rub; 1 tsp Worcestershire	1) Gently mix rub + Worcestershire into beef. 2) Form 6 patties. 3) Grill/sear 3–4 min/side to temp.