There’s something special about a good dry rub-the right combination of sweet, salty, smoky, and spicy flavors can turn simple chicken or ribs into something truly crave-worthy. This Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub brings together brown sugar, paprika, garlic, onion, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne for a bold barbecue-style seasoning that is easy to make at home.
The beauty of this homemade dry rub is how quickly it comes together. There’s no cooking, blending, or complicated preparation involved. Simply measure the ingredients, mix them well, and you have a flavorful seasoning ready for your next barbecue. It works beautifully on chicken wings, ribs, pork, grilled vegetables, and plenty of other foods.
What Is Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub?
Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub is a sweet-and-savory barbecue seasoning made with brown sugar, paprika, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and celery salt. The brown sugar gives the rub a lightly sweet barbecue flavor, while paprika and black pepper add depth and a gentle smokiness.
Despite the name, this homemade version uses pantry-friendly spices and does not require a complicated ingredient list. The cayenne provides a mild kick, which you can easily increase if you prefer a hotter rub. Once mixed, it can be generously rubbed onto meat or vegetables before grilling or barbecuing.
What Does Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub Taste Like?
Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub has a delicious balance of sweet, savory, smoky, and mildly spicy flavors. The brown sugar gives the seasoning a gentle sweetness, while paprika adds an earthy, slightly smoky character. Garlic powder and onion powder bring a savory depth, and coarse-ground black pepper adds a noticeable peppery bite.
The cayenne pepper provides a mild warmth that builds gradually without making the rub overwhelmingly hot. Sea salt and celery salt help bring all the flavors together, giving the seasoning a classic barbecue-style taste that works especially well on chicken wings, ribs, pork, and grilled vegetables.
Overall, the flavor is sweet and savory first, with smoky spice and a gentle kick at the end. You can easily make it hotter by adding extra cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful homemade dry rub:
- ¾ cup brown sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create that classic barbecue flavor. It also helps the seasoning cling nicely to meat.
- ½ cup sea salt – Brings out the flavor of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.
- ½ cup paprika – Gives the rub its rich color and mild, earthy pepper flavor.
- 3 tablespoons coarse-ground black pepper – Adds a bold peppery bite and extra depth.
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder – Brings savory, garlicky flavor throughout the rub.
- 2 tablespoons onion powder – Adds another layer of savory flavor and complements the garlic.
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper – Provides a gentle heat. Add more if you enjoy a spicier barbecue rub.
- 1 teaspoon celery salt – Adds a subtle savory, herby note that rounds out the seasoning.
Kitchen Utensils and Equipment
You only need a few simple items to prepare this Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spoon or small whisk
- Clean airtight storage container
- Label or piece of tape for marking the storage date
Prep Time, Total Time & Yield
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Mixing Time: 2–3 minutes
Total Time: About 8 minutes
Yield: Approximately 2½ cups of dry rub
Step-by-Step Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub Instructions
Just follow this simple step by step guideline to make your homemade version of Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub in a delicious way.
1. Combine the Dry Ingredients
Add the brown sugar, sea salt, paprika, coarse-ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and celery salt to a large mixing bowl.
Make sure you use a bowl large enough to give you plenty of room for stirring. This helps prevent the lighter spices from spilling over the sides.
2. Mix Everything Thoroughly
Using a spoon or small whisk, stir the ingredients together until the brown sugar and spices are evenly distributed.
Break up any larger pieces of brown sugar as you mix. The finished rub should look evenly blended, with no obvious pockets of salt, sugar, or individual spices.
3. Taste and Adjust the Heat
This homemade Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub has a sweet, savory flavor with mild heat from the cayenne pepper.
For a hotter version, add a little extra cayenne pepper. Start with a small amount, mix well, and adjust gradually so the heat doesn’t overpower the sweet barbecue flavor.
4. Apply the BBQ Dry Rub
Use the seasoning generously on chicken, ribs, pork, vegetables, or other foods you plan to grill or barbecue.
For meat, rub the seasoning over the surface so it coats the food evenly. Gently pressing the rub onto the meat helps it stick better.
5. Store the Remaining Rub
Transfer any leftover dry rub to a clean, airtight container. Seal it tightly and label the container with the date you made it.
Because this rub contains brown sugar, keeping it properly sealed helps maintain its texture and flavor.
6. Use Within One Month
For the best quality, use the homemade rub within about one month. Store it in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct heat.
Always use a clean, dry spoon when taking rub from the container to help prevent moisture from getting inside.
Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions for Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub
- Break up the brown sugar: Brown sugar can form small lumps. Break them apart before storing so the rub stays easy to use.
- Adjust the heat: Add extra cayenne for a spicier rub or reduce it for a milder seasoning.
- Use fresh spices: Spices that have been sitting in your pantry for years may have lost some of their flavor. Fresh spices will give the rub a stronger aroma and taste.
- Mix before every use: If the ingredients settle during storage, give the container a good shake or stir before using.
- Keep moisture away: Use a completely dry measuring spoon when scooping out the rub.
- Make a milder version: Reduce the cayenne pepper if you’re serving the food to children or anyone who prefers gentle heat.
- Don’t skip the black pepper: Coarse-ground black pepper gives the seasoning a more noticeable barbecue-style bite.
- Try it on vegetables: This seasoning isn’t just for meat. It can add a delicious sweet-and-savory flavor to grilled vegetables.
Serving Suggestions for Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub
This versatile BBQ dry rub can be used with much more than chicken wings. Try it on grilled chicken thighs, drumsticks, pork chops, ribs, burgers, or pulled pork.
For a vegetable option, sprinkle it over corn on the cob, potatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini before grilling. You can also use it as a seasoning for roasted vegetables when you’re cooking indoors.
For a complete barbecue-style meal, serve your seasoned meat with coleslaw, grilled corn, potato salad, baked beans, or crispy fries. A cool, creamy dipping sauce also makes a nice contrast to the sweet and spicy seasoning.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dry place. Keep water and moisture away from the mixture.
For the best flavor and texture, use the homemade rub within about one month. There is no reheating needed because this is a dry seasoning.
Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Add the brown sugar, sea salt, paprika, coarse-ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and celery salt to a large mixing bowl. Make sure you use a bowl large enough to give you plenty of room for stirring. This helps prevent the lighter spices from spilling over the sides.
- Using a spoon or small whisk, stir the ingredients together until the brown sugar and spices are evenly distributed. Break up any larger pieces of brown sugar as you mix. The finished rub should look evenly blended, with no obvious pockets of salt, sugar, or individual spices.
- This homemade Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub has a sweet, savory flavor with mild heat from the cayenne pepper. For a hotter version, add a little extra cayenne pepper. Start with a small amount, mix well, and adjust gradually so the heat doesn’t overpower the sweet barbecue flavor.
- Use the seasoning generously on chicken, ribs, pork, vegetables, or other foods you plan to grill or barbecue. For meat, rub the seasoning over the surface so it coats the food evenly. Gently pressing the rub onto the meat helps it stick better.
- Transfer any leftover dry rub to a clean, airtight container. Seal it tightly and label the container with the date you made it. Because this rub contains brown sugar, keeping it properly sealed helps maintain its texture and flavor.
- For the best quality, use the homemade rub within about one month. Store it in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct heat. Always use a clean, dry spoon when taking rub from the container to help prevent moisture from getting inside.
Video
Notes
Common FAQs About Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub
When you give this Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub Recipe a try, you might have a few questions. Don’t worry-we’ve rounded up answers to the most common ones to help you out.
What Are the Ingredients in a Chipotle Dry Rub for Chicken Wings?
A chipotle-style dry rub for chicken wings typically combines brown sugar, paprika, sea salt, coarse-ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and celery salt. Together, these ingredients create a sweet, smoky, savory, and mildly spicy flavor. For extra heat, you can increase the cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
Is Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub spicy?
It has a mild level of heat from the cayenne pepper. You can add more cayenne if you prefer a hotter barbecue seasoning.
Can I use this dry rub on chicken wings?
Yes. This rub works especially well on chicken wings, drumsticks, thighs, and other cuts of chicken. Apply it evenly before grilling, roasting, or barbecuing.
Can I use this BBQ dry rub on ribs?
Yes. The sweet and savory seasoning pairs well with pork ribs. Coat the ribs evenly with the rub before cooking.
Can I use this rub on vegetables?
Absolutely. Try it on potatoes, corn, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, and other vegetables that you plan to grill or roast.
How long does homemade BBQ dry rub last?
For this particular mixture, it’s best to use it within about one month. Keep it tightly sealed in an airtight container and protect it from moisture.
How can I make the dry rub hotter?
The easiest way is to increase the cayenne pepper. Add it gradually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until you reach your preferred level of heat.
How should I store homemade dry rub?
Keep it in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dry place. Labeling the container with the preparation date makes it easier to keep track of freshness.
This Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub is a simple homemade seasoning with a delicious balance of sweet brown sugar, savory spices, pepper, and mild cayenne heat. It takes only a few minutes to mix and can transform everyday chicken, ribs, pork, or vegetables into a flavorful barbecue-style meal.
Keep a small jar ready in your pantry whenever you’re planning a cookout or an easy weeknight dinner. With just a handful of everyday spices, you can make a versatile dry rub that adds plenty of homemade flavor without any complicated preparation.
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It is great on chicken wings as a dry rub.