Easy Homemade Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub Recipe

This easy Traeger pork and poultry rub recipe brings the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavor to any meal. It transforms chicken, pork chops, and other white meats into juicy, flavor-packed dishes that taste straight off the Traeger. Mix up a big batch once, and you’ll have delicious wood-fired flavor ready anytime you grill!

Easy Homemade Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub Recipe

Subtle heat, the perfect spice level, and a great smoky flavor are what you’ll get with this big batch chicken and pork rub!

My go-to quick and easy seasoning is always sea salt, pepper, and granulated garlic. But not when I have this flavorful rub on hand!

Take 5 minutes now to mix up the easy combination of spices.

When you have a great dry rub seasoning ready to go, it makes it easy to add a great flavor profile to easy protein.

This spice mix takes chicken breast, pork roasts, turkey legs, and milder meats from okay to something your taste buds will go crazy for!

Why you’ll love this great recipe

Quick to make – Simply measure the individual spices and stir together. That is how easy it is to make bulk spice mixes at home!

Easy to find ingredients – If your local grocery store has a bulk section, you will likely be able to find everything you need right there.  If not, a quick walk down the spice aisle and baking aisle (for coconut sugar or brown sugar) will give you everything you need for this dry rub recipe.

​Budget-friendly – Buying spices in bulk often saves you money! When you can take those bulk spices and then turn them into a homemade spice mix, you save money that way too.

Makes a big batch – The beautiful thing about making a big batch recipe is that you do a little work up front, then you can use it later without having to measure all the seasonings again! It’s the easiest way to level up your grilling game!

Works with a variety of meats – This perfect flavor combination works with a variety of different meats, but is definitely ideal for milder meats like chicken breast and pork chops. Try with pork shoulder, pork chops, ribs, whole chickens, chicken breast, and chicken thighs. It will boost spice levels without overpowering the natural flavor of white meats.

Smoke flavor – Whether you use this with a Traeger smoker, on a charcoal barbecue, or simply to add flavor to baked meats, it offers an amazing smoky flavor thanks to the smoked paprika. You’ll also love the touch of sweetness and savory notes that complement Traeger’s wood-fired flavor.

Traeger pork and poultry rub ingredients

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• Smoked paprika – This spice brings that classic Traeger smoky flavor to your rub without needing to add extra time on the grill. It adds warmth, depth, and a touch of color to the mix.
• Paprika – Sweet paprika balances out the smokiness and adds a mild pepper flavor that complements milder meats like chicken and pork perfectly.
• Chili powder – A little heat goes a long way! Chili powder gives this rub a gentle kick and adds that mouth-tingling heat Traeger-style recipes are known for.
• Onion powder – Adds a subtle sweetness and a savory backbone that rounds out the flavor of your rub. It’s one of those “you can’t quite place it, but it makes everything better” ingredients.
• Garlic powder – A must for bold, savory notes! Garlic powder gives this rub a deep, flavorful base that pairs perfectly with the smoky paprika.
• Cumin – This warming spice adds an earthy, slightly nutty tone that brings balance to the sweetness and enhances the wood-fired flavor when grilling.
• Coconut sugar – The secret ingredient that gives a touch of sweetness and helps your proteins caramelize beautifully on the grill. Brown sugar or maple sugar also works great here.
• Dried oregano – Adds that little pop of herby freshness and helps brighten the overall flavor profile – especially good with chicken.
• Dried thyme – Earthy and aromatic, thyme adds depth and rounds out the herbal notes for a perfectly balanced blend.
• Sea salt – Enhances all the flavors in your rub and helps draw moisture to the surface of the meat for that juicy, flavorful crust.
• Black pepper – A classic! It gives your rub a little sharpness and ties together the savory and smoky notes beautifully.

How to make the best Traeger spice blend

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine all the spices, herbs, and coconut sugar. Whisk them together until fully blended and evenly mixed. You’ll see that beautiful mix of smoky reds, herby greens, and warm spices come together into one perfectly balanced rub.

Step 2: Transfer your spice blend into an airtight container, spice jar, or mason jar. Label it Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub so you always know what’s inside. This recipe makes a big batch – perfect for keeping on hand anytime you’re firing up your Traeger or stovetop grill.

Step 3: When it’s time to cook, dry your protein with a paper towel so the rub sticks evenly. Sprinkle the seasoning generously over your chicken, pork, or turkey for that signature smoky, savory Traeger flavor. The natural sugar in the blend helps create a beautiful caramelized crust while the paprika and herbs bring depth and wood-fired flavor to your next epic meal.

Watch me make Traeger pork and poultry rub

The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!

Flavor notes

This Traeger pork and poultry rub hits all the right notes – sweet from the coconut sugar, smoky from paprika, and lightly spicy from chili powder. It’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet, ideal for boosting the flavor of milder meats without overwhelming them.

Adjust the heat: Prefer a little kick? Add an extra pinch of chili powder or cayenne for that mouth-tingling heat. Want something milder? Reduce the chili and let the savory notes from the herbs shine through.

How to use this bulk Traeger pork and poultry spice rub

Using this seasoning is super easy! Simply prepare the protein you’d like to cook by drying the protein with a paper towel. This will ensure any extra moisture is not left on the meat.

Season the surface of the meat liberally with this flavorful blend for a robust flavor.

Once the meat is seasoned and ready to go, add it to your heated Traeger grills, cook, and enjoy!

Whether you’re using Traeger’s 6-in-1 ability wood-fired grill or another smoker, this rub is the added dose of flavor you’ll love.

Use this seasoning mix with these recipes

• Pork loin roast recipe
• Chipotle chicken sandwich
• Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad
• Traeger pulled pork recipe

How to store

Keep your spice blend fresh by storing it in a cool, dry spot – away from heat and moisture.

I like to pour mine into a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, label it, and tuck it in with my everyday spices. Then it’s ready to go whenever the craving hits for smoky, Traeger-style chicken or pork.

Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this Traeger rub recipe. 

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Smoked paprika – Chipotle chili powder is a great substitute for smoked paprika. It adds smokiness to the mix, while also adding a little more heat than paprika offers.

Paprika – Ancho pepper powder is a good substitute for paprika. It will add a bit more heat than sweet paprika, so adjust the chili powder as needed.

Chili powder – The chili powder you use will definitely impact the heat level.  Choose a milder chili powder for a good seasoning that will be enjoyed by all, or opt for a hotter chili pepper mix to add more heat. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper into the mix, which will increase the heat level. A little goes a long way!

Onion powder – Dehydrated onion flakes are a good alternative to onion powder.  They will be larger in the spice mix, but they will add a great onion flavor that you’d get from onion powder.

Garlic powder – Granulated garlic is a good replacement for garlic powder. Dehydrated minced garlic will work here as well.  Just like the onion powder option, it will have larger pieces in the spice blend.

Coconut sugar – Brown sugar, cane sugar, and maple sugar are all great alternatives for coconut sugar.  

Sea salt – Regular table salt or kosher salt will work here as well.

Dried oregano and thyme – A little bit of herby flavor works really well with the spices.  If you only have oregano or thyme, and not the other herb, double the one you have and just use that one in this spice mix. If you don’t have either, use basil or Italian seasoning in place of oregano and thyme.

Black pepper – White pepper will work here as well!

More spice mixtures you’ll love

• Bulk taco seasoning recipe
• Homemade ranch seasoning
• Homemade chorizo spice mix

If you try this Traeger pork and poultry rub recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

Originally published September 2023. Updated November 2025.