Citrus Free Kansas City Spice Rub
So many store-bought spice blends sneak in citrus zest, citric acid, or "natural flavors" that can hide fruit-derived ingredients — making a simple rub feel like a minefield. This blend sidesteps all of that by building its bold, smoky-sweet character entirely from pantry staples you can verify yourself. Coconut sugar and maple granules lay down a caramelizing sweetness that chars beautifully on the grill, while Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric add warmth and depth without any fruit-forward brightness. Garlic, onion, thyme, and oregano round things out with that classic Kansas City backbone — savory, a little earthy, and deeply satisfying. It comes together in one bowl with nothing more than a whisk, and a single batch stores for up to three months, so you're always ready for weeknight ribs or a weekend brisket. Press it firmly onto your protein before grilling, roasting, or smoking and let the heat do the rest — the crust it builds is genuinely spectacular.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup granules sugar or maple sugar
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- 1
Combine the coconut sugar, maple sugar, turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, thyme, and oregano in a small bowl and whisk until evenly blended with no visible streaks of turmeric.
- 2
Transfer to an airtight jar and store at room temperature for up to 3 months.
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