Dalmatian Rub 101: The Salt and Pepper Rub Pitmasters Swear By
The short answer. Dalmatian rub is just coarse salt and coarse black pepper, usually mixed 50/50 by volume. Use coarse kosher salt and 16 mesh black pepper, or grab Lane's 50/50 Salt Pepper Blend, which is already mixed. It's the classic rub for brisket and beef ribs, and it's great on steaks, burgers and pork too.
Some of the best barbecue you'll ever eat is seasoned with two ingredients. Dalmatian rub gets its name from the black and white specks it leaves on the meat, and it lets beef and smoke do the talking. If you're just getting started with rubs, start here.
At a glance
Jump to the recipe or how to use it.
Why it works
- Salt seasons. Coarse kosher salt is easy to spread evenly and hard to overdo.
- Pepper builds bark. A coarse 16 mesh grind stays on the surface through a long cook and turns into the crunchy crust brisket is known for.
- Nothing burns. No sugar means you can cook hot or long without bitter bark.
Dalmatian rub recipe
Option 1: Mix your own
- 1/2 cup Lane's 16 mesh black pepper
- 1/2 cup The Spice Guy coarse kosher salt
Whisk together and load into a 16 oz shaker or a 10 oz stainless rub shaker on its coarse holes.
Option 2: Grab it ready-made
Lane's 50/50 Salt Pepper Blend is coarse grain salt and 16 mesh black pepper, already mixed in one 12.5 oz bottle.
Pitmaster tip: want SPG instead? Add granulated garlic. Many cooks start around 1 part garlic to 2 parts each of salt and pepper, then adjust.
Ratios to try
| Version | Ratio by volume | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Dalmatian | 1 salt : 1 pepper | Brisket, beef ribs |
| Pepper-forward | 1 salt : 2 pepper | Brisket with a heavy, crunchy bark |
| SPG | 2 salt : 2 pepper : 1 garlic | Steaks, burgers, pork, chicken |
How to use Dalmatian rub
Brisket: trim, pat dry, and shake on an even coat from about 12 inches up until the meat is mostly covered. Season the night before or just before it goes on the smoker.
Steak: season both sides and the edges. For thick steaks, salt ahead and let them rest uncovered in the fridge.
Burgers: season the outside of the patties right before they hit the grill.
Need help getting an even coat? Read how to fill and use a seasoning shaker and how to apply dry rub.
Shopping for a griller?
Not sure which rub they already own? Let them choose. A Grill Masters Club Digital Gift Card lands in their inbox instantly with a personal note from you. It works on everything in the store, from rubs and shakers to a BBQ box subscription, and it never expires. Choose from $50 to $250.
Give a gift cardCommon mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Using fine table salt | Use coarse kosher salt so it spreads evenly |
| Using fine ground pepper | Use 16 mesh for bark and texture |
| Clumpy, uneven coat | Mix in a bowl first and shake from about 12 inches up |
| Changing salt brands every cook | Pick one salt and stick with it so your results are repeatable |
FAQ
What is Dalmatian rub?
Dalmatian rub is coarse salt and coarse black pepper, usually mixed in equal parts by volume. The name comes from the black and white specks it leaves on the meat.
What ratio of salt to pepper?
Start with equal parts by volume, the classic 50/50. Some cooks go heavier on pepper for brisket. Use the same salt every time so your results stay consistent.
Is Dalmatian rub the same as SPG?
Close. SPG adds granulated garlic to salt and pepper. Dalmatian rub is just the two.
What pepper is best for Dalmatian rub?
Coarse 16 mesh black pepper. The large grind stays on the meat and builds a crunchy bark.
How much Dalmatian rub do I use on a brisket?
Coat it evenly until you can barely see the meat through the rub. There's no exact amount, so go by look.
Keep the discoveries coming
Once you've mastered the basics, there's a whole world of rubs and sauces to try. With a Grill Masters Club subscription, a themed box of pitmaster-picked sauces, rubs and a tool shows up every 2 or 3 months, with a recipe booklet built around exactly what's inside. No theme ever repeats.
Start your subscriptionFree US shipping. Shopping for the griller in your life? Give the Gift of BBQ.
Join 100,000+ Grill Masters
Get weekly recipes, pro tips, and exclusive deals sent straight to your inbox. Plus your free Pit Card download and 10% off your first order.
