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Cocoa Rub Recipe

Spicy Cocoa BBQ Rub

A sophisticated spice blend combining unsweetened cocoa powder with chili and warm spices. Perfect for creating flavorful crusts on grilled meats, especially steak and pork.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Rub, Seasoning
Cuisine American, BBQ, Mexican-Inspired
Servings 20 tablespoons
Calories 25 kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor or spice grinder for grinding pepper flakes
  • Airtight container for storage
  • Measuring cups and spoons for accurate portioning

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder natural, not Dutch-process
  • ¼ cup kosher salt not table salt
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes dried, to be ground fine
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves fresh ground preferred
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar helps with caramelization

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in food processor or spice grinder.
  • Process until red pepper flakes are finely ground and ingredients are well combined.
  • Transfer to an airtight container for storage.

Notes

Store in an airtight container away from heat and light. Best used within 3 months. Apply generously to meats 30 minutes to 24 hours before cooking.
Keywords chocolate BBQ rub, cocoa rub, cocoa spice blend, steak rub