All-purpose homemade chipotle spice rub that balances sweet, smoky and spicy for roasted vegetables, casseroles and vegetable and beef steaks.
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Having a homemade spice rub that's tailored to your own tastes is invaluable. This is one I use for veggies as well as my husband's meat. In fact, I won second prize a number of years ago in a recipe contest where I used this on a steak. This spice balances earthy with spice, sweet and smoke.
I've used it on these cabbage steaks and as the spices for roasted chickpeas with great success.
Homemade spices mixes like this one also make great hostess gifts. Purchase some pretty jars, fill them, and tie them off with bow. I use ribbons that look like burlap for a rustic homemade feel. There are lots of kits out there with labels you can use too. So fun!
🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
The secret to faster and easier meals often lies in the ingredients. For example, store-bought items and ingredients you make ahead and store in the refrigerator (or freezer) can turn a 60-minute recipe into a 30-minutes meal or less.
For the all of the ingredients, measurements and directions, go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.
- Brown sugar - if you don't have any on hand, it's easy to make your own brown sugar. You just need 2 ingredients.
- Chipotle spice powder
- Kosher salt
- Dried oregano
- Ground coriander
- Black pepper
- Sweet paprika - I use sweet Hungarian paprika.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products and foods I use in my kitchen. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To view my entire storefront of recommended kitchen tools and equipment, check out my shop on Amazon.
👩🍳 Preparation Tips
Pour all the ingredients into the bowl of a mortar and pestle, and grind them a bit. This freshens up the flavor a lot, even if your herbs and spices are recently purchased.
💡Ideas for Possible Variations
Make adjustments for your own preferences. For example if you want it a little spicier, as a little more chipotle spice, or a pinch of cayenne.
If using this for grilling veggies, increase the chipotle spice a little for the smoky flavor it provides.
👩🍳 Storage Tips
Keep in a sealed jar. If you start with fresh herbs and spices, this spice mix will last for 1 - 2 years.
Homemade Chipotle Spice Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chipotle spice powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons sweet paprika Hungarian sweet paprika is a great choice
Instructions
- Combine all spices in the bowl of a mortar and pestle and lightly mash them together.
- Pour into a sealed container, such as a jar.
Nutrition
lizthechef
And you deserved to have won that food52 contest...Again, love the gift theme.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Ah well, all water under the bridge now. It's still my husband's favorite way for me to make him a steak dinner. Sometimes I sneak a bite - just to make sure the steak is done enough, you know. A sacrifice I make for his dinner 🙂
Ashley Pierson (@AshleyAnPierson)
This is so great Susan! I love all the ideas! Thanks for sharing as always
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Ashley! This has been a fun series to put together, and so useful. Are you signed up for the Food52 gift exchange? Liz - that question is for you too! It's such a great idea!
TasteFood
This rub sounds gorgeous - right up my alley.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Lynda! Yes, this definitely reminds me of your great sweet potato fries. I had them in a kale salad yesterday and they were a great contrast with apples and a vinaigrette.
Sylvia Certo
Ciao Susan
Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables combined with your chipotle spice mixture
sounds scrumptious.
Iam loving your blog!!!
Felice giorno del ringraziamento,
Sylvia
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Ciao Sylvia, and mille grazie! Sono molto contenta che ti piace. Anche, felice giorno del ringraziamento a te e la tua famiglia.
Hannah
Your Gifts from the Kitchen series is terrific! I am signed up for the Food52 gift exchange and you're definitely giving me some ideas.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks!! I signed up too - I really love the idea of the gift exchange!
Eric Herot
I found your spice rub when looking for something to go on some green beans with a sweet potato pasta dish. I added a bunch of nutmeg to it and sauteed the green beans in it (in olive oil and bacon fat--shhhhh!) and it was awesomely delicious.
Thanks for posting it!