This is our Sweet and Smoky Pork Rib Rub with a Caribbean-style adobo seasoning blend stirred in. Same brown sugar base, same five-minute mix, but the adobo brings warm, savory all-spice notes instead of straight heat. If you haven’t made the original yet, that’s a good place to start — this is that recipe with one extra ingredient.

About the Adobo Blend

We use Private Selection Caribbean Inspired Adobo Blend for this one, mostly because it’s what’s in our pantry and we’ve never gone looking for another brand. Any Caribbean-style adobo seasoning blend should work fine here — Spice Islands makes one too if that’s easier to find. About 1 teaspoon is the sweet spot: enough to notice the adobo without it taking over the sugar and smoke.

Everything else about using this rub is the same as the original: a thin layer of yellow mustard or oil as a binder, a generous full coating rather than a light dusting, and at least 30 minutes of rest before cooking (overnight in the fridge if you have the time) so the flavor actually works its way into the meat instead of just sitting on top.

Like the original, this batch makes more than one rack of ribs needs. Keep it in an airtight jar in the pantry and it’s ready whenever chicken thighs, pork chops, or anything else on the grill could use some sweet heat and warm spice.

Want more smoke and real heat instead? Try the Sweet and Smoky Chipotle Rib Rub — same base, with ground chipotle powder stirred in.

Sweet and Smoky Adobo Rib Rub

Our sweet and smoky base rib rub with a Caribbean-style adobo seasoning blend stirred in. Same pantry staples, one extra ingredient, warm all-spice flavor instead of straight heat.

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Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tbsp coarse kosher salt regular table salt works fine too, use a little less since it’s finer
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1.5 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp Caribbean-style adobo seasoning blend we use Private Selection Caribbean Inspired Adobo Blend; any Caribbean-style adobo blend works, Spice Islands makes one too

Equipment

• Mixing Bowl
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl or container.
2. Mix thoroughly with a fork or whisk until fully combined, breaking up any clumps of brown sugar.
3. Store in an airtight container or jar for up to 3 months, or use right away to season your ribs before smoking or grilling.

Notes

🛒 Shop the gear I used in this recipe