Steel City Rib Rub

Pellicano's Steel City Rib Rub

Engineered for the Perfect Barbecue Crust

Pellicano's Steel City Rub is a sweet and savory powerhouse, designed to perform under high heat and long smoking times. This robust blend creates the signature "bark"—a deeply flavored, crisp crust—that is the hallmark of great barbecue. The complexity comes from the strategic combination of ingredients:

• Sweetness & Crust: Multiple forms of sugar (Sugar, Brown Sugar, Dextrose) caramelize slowly, locking in moisture and forming a beautiful, dark mahogany exterior.
• Savory Depth: Salt, Garlic, Onion, and Chili Pepper provide a foundation of balanced, all-purpose savoriness.
• Tang & Color: Mustard adds a welcome tangy counterpoint to the sweetness, while Paprika ensures a rich, vibrant color.

This rub is formulated to provide complete flavor in one application—no need for pre-seasoning. Simply rub and go.

For Grill, Smoker, and Oven

The Steel City Rub is versatile enough for any cooking method, but truly excels when slow-cooked:

• Ribs and Pulled Pork: Apply generously 30 minutes to 12 hours before smoking or slow-roasting pork ribs or pork shoulder.
• Brisket: Use as the primary rub for brisket flat or point before smoking for a traditional, deeply flavored bark.
• Grilled Chicken: Mix with a small amount of oil and apply to chicken breasts or thighs before grilling for a caramelized exterior.
• Hearty Sides: Sprinkle onto sweet potato fries, roasted wedge potatoes, or baked beans for an instant barbecue flavor infusion.

Fun Fact: Hard Work, Hearty Flavor

The name "Steel City" refers to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, historically the center of the American steel industry. The city's cuisine and its surrounding Western Pennsylvania region are known for hearty, no-nonsense food built for hard work—a culinary tradition perfectly reflected in this rub. The flavor profile is robust, utilizing sweet and savory ingredients that are powerful enough to stand up to rich, smoky meats and satisfy a working-person's appetite. This rub is a testament to the fact that great flavor should be as reliable and dependable as steel itself.

Easy Recipe: Classic Slow-Smoked Ribs (Serves 4)

This traditional method maximizes the flavor of the rub, creating tender meat and a deeply colored, savory crust (bark).

Ingredients:

• 2 Racks Pork Spareribs (St. Louis Style Recommended)
• 1/2 Cup Pellicano's Steel City Rib Rub
• 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar (For Spritzing)

Instructions:

1. Prep: Remove the thin membrane from the back of the racks of ribs. Pat the ribs completely dry with a paper towel.
2. Season: Apply the Steel City Rub generously to all sides of the ribs, pressing the seasoning firmly into the meat. Allow the seasoned ribs to sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 12 hours refrigerated).
3. Smoke: Preheat your smoker or oven to 225°F. Place the ribs directly on the grate.
4. Cook: Smoke for 5 to 6 hours. Spritz the ribs with Apple Cider Vinegar every hour after the first two hours. Ribs are done when they pass the "bend test" (they crack when lifted).
5. Rest the ribs loosely under foil for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Ingredients: Salt, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Dextrose, Mustard, Paprika, Garlic, Onion, Chili Pepper, Oleoresin Paprika (Extract of Paprika and Soybean Oil), and Less than 2% of Calcium Stearate as an Anti-Caking Agent.