What’s the secret for mouthwatering melt in your mouth brisket or ribs? Looking for a way to perk up grilled poultry? Dry BBQ rubs take the guesswork out of spice blending and make getting that perfect smokey flavor easier than ever.
We scoured the biggest names in BBQ from the Southeast to the Southwest in search of the best BBQ rubs currently available in 2023. Whether it’s a light and tangy blend the whole family can enjoy, or a fire hot blend from the Carolina’s, there’s a rub for every sort of BBQ lover on our list.
So, check out our pick of BBQ rubs on the market to get you grilling…
The Best BBQ Rubs Reviews
1. Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub – Best Southern Flavor BBQ Rub
Developed by a professional pit master team for competitive use, this best BBQ rub by Killer Hogs is a potent blend of herbs and spices with a few secrets. Though the name implies a pork focus, The BBQ Rub kicks up the taste of any dish.
Known for producing a rich mahogany bark on brisket or a nice fleck of color on birds, this Southern BBQ flavor is savory and well-rounded. With a secret blend of spices, the sweet and savory flavor is so well-balanced.
Balanced and full of flavor…
There’s no need to tone down or kick up the flavor. For this rub, we recommend taking the time to get full coverage over the surface of the meat. It will caramelize in high heat and leave a crunchy outside that is still tender and juicy on the inside.
The bottle may not last as long, but it’s well-rounded and addictive flavor is worth it for those who aren’t afraid of a few additives in the name of taste.
PROS
- Created by grill masters.
- Carmelizes well.
- Mouth-watering southern blend.
- Low sodium.
CONS
- High MSG and sugar content.
- Bottle doesn’t last long.
2. Traeger Grills Seasoning and BBQ Rub – Best Hickory BBQ Rub
For a specialty blend from a team of distinctive grill makers, Traegers hint that great barbecue doesn’t have to come from the south to be worth tasting. The Traeger Grills Seasoning and BBQ Rub is the most versatile of Traegers rubs for use with beef, chicken, pork, and even vegetables.
Packed to last…
Packaged in trademarked aluminum boxes, hints of basil and oregano highlight this wildly adaptable rub. The air-tight aluminum and plastic box also helps preserve it without any loss of flavor.
Created in Oregon by the brand that kicked off a wood fired grill revolution, Traegers is known worldwide for their hickory smoked BBQ flavor. Distinguishing itself by using hardwood pellets to fuel the grill for higher temperature, full-flavor, barrel cooking.
A flavor for all…
Their commitment to cooking with all natural hardwood translates to rubs as well as offering great tasting flavors without compromise. The BBQ Rub has no Gluten or GMOs but does include sugar.
With minimal heat, it’s a mild rub the whole family can enjoy. It compliments ribs, chicken and can even be dusted on breakfast potatoes. You don’t need to have a Traeger’s grill to enjoy their rub, but it does enhance the flavor profile.
PROS
- Hickory smoked flavor.
- Made in the USA.
- Gluten and GMO free.
- Kosher.
- Adaptable to all meats and vegetables.
CONS
- Not very full flavored.
3. BBQ Bros Rubs {Southern Style} – Ultimate Barbecue Spices Seasoning Set
BBQ Bros Rubs is a family business formed by four pit master brothers dedicated to replicating the best BBQ flavors in America. This set of Southern Style Rubs highlights the regional flavor of three cities with three distinctive blends.
A taste of home…
Uniquely, BBQ Bros puts the spotlight on regional flavors with blends that focus on the places they come from, rather than the specific meat they compliment. This attention to detail makes for a lively set of rubs that create an array of southern specialties.
Made up of the Memphis Rub, Carolina Style Rub, and New Orleans Style Rub, the flavors of this set aren’t hugely variant but capture subtle characteristics of each city. The Carolina style is the spiciest of the lot with whole red pepper flakes and bold composition.
For a more mild home style meal take on BBQ, the Memphis blend is mild and dominated by onion and paprika. Try it with steak and roasted vegetables served with mashed potatoes. If it’s seafood with a creole twist, the New Orleans blend is a low spice option great for seafood pile-ons, including gumbos, paella, and seafood stews.
The perfect present…
All rubs are handcrafted, MSG, and filler free as well as Kosher certified and come in a unique size varying from 8 oz to 11 oz with a total of 29 oz. With a variety of uses and recipes to try, BBQ Bros Rubs Southern Style Seasoning set is a perfect gift for your favorite aspiring pit master.
PROS
- Three set flavors with various sizes.
- Handcrafted blends.
- Award-winning recipes.
- MSG free and Gluten free.
- Satisfaction guaranteed.
CONS
- All three rubs have a slightly similar taste profile.
4. Bad Byron’s Butt Rub Barbeque Seasoning BBQ Rubs – Best BBQ Rub for Keto Diet
For professionals, backyard cooks, and pit masters alike, Bad Byron’s Butt Rub is renowned for affordable and dependable Texas BBQ taste. Rub onto your favorite beef, chicken, and poultry for a peppery BBQ experience.
Full flavor explosion…
The flavorful blend of chipotle, paprika, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic is bold and dominating in the Butt Rub. It’s fitting for less flavorful cuts of pork and chicken butts. To flavor up this high-fat region of focus, the Butt Rub is salt and spice heavy, so no additions are necessary.
If the flavor seems too heavy, try making a paste with apple cider vinegar for an overnight marinade. We also love making a paste with olive oil and brown sugar for poultry products. To keep the dry rub style, cut with onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar for a subtle blend.
With a dominating flavor and kick, there’s no need to add sauce to ribs. Simply rub, grill, and serve. Offering one of the largest sizes available for specialty rubs, the 26 oz commercial size bottle is made to last and good enough to use as an everyday seasoning.
Healthy and tasty…
Overall, Bad Byron’s Butt Rub is an affordable, non-gourmet, blend that packs backyard flavor into a variety of meat and grilling styles. For those looking for a sugar and MSG free blend that fits into Keto diets, this is a spirited flavor option.
PROS
- 26 ounce size.
- MSG free.
- Sugar free.
- Affordable.
- Authentic Texas BBQ taste.
CONS
- Manufacturer size does not come with a seal.
- Salt and spice heavy.
5. Kosmos Q Honey Killer Bee BBQ Rub – Best Mild BBQ Rub
For a mouthwatering blend that doesn’t hide its characteristic flavors behind salt and spice, Kosmos Q Honey Killer Bee BBQ Rub is a blend the whole family can enjoy. Blending honey and savory spices for warm and toasty BBQ dishes, it reminds us that not all BBQ has to offer explosive flavor.
Sugar and spice…
Let’s face it; spice and salt often steal the show in BBQ dishes. The real backbone of flavor rides on a well-balanced flavor. This Rub is a sweet homage to the lighter side of grilling and smoking. It subtly complements red meats, perks up pork cuts, and accentuates the sweetness of chicken wings or roasts.
The strong accents of this rub require no cutting with spices to tone down the taste. Its well-balanced flavor stands alone and makes the 13 oz bottle size go a long way as light coverage works best. Try with apple cider vinegar for a paste marinade on ribs or rub directly on to chicken wings for a honey smoked char.
No heat necessary…
While the Honey Killer Bee blend may not be comparable with many complex and spicy Texas-style rubs, it does prove that you can have flavor without heat. Its mild characteristics, honey, and celery notes will have all the members of the family begging for more.
PROS
- Mild rub ideal for families.
- 13 oz. size is long lasting.
- Honey characterized with celery.
- Compliments all meats.
CONS
- Pricey.
6. Applewood Smoked BBQ Awesomeness – Best Rub & BBQ Seasoning
Southern comfort flavor with natural ingredients make the Applewood Smoked BBQ Awesomeness truly spectacular in this best BBQ rubs review. Combining classic barbecue flavor with sea salt and applewood, we can’t get enough of this sweet and savory blend.
Handmade organic goodness…
Wayward Organics produces all of its handmade blends in South Carolina, USA. Layered and distinctive Southeastern flavor complements all sorts of barbecue from brisket to steaks and poultry. The classic rub uses no MSG or gluten for a smoky sweet taste with a little blast of heat to finish.
This rub comes in a wide mouthed 7.1 oz jar that makes dusting the blend easier than traditional spice bottles. Filler free ingredients mean that it may clump and is also rather coarse. So, for a more cohesive flavor, simply blend or mash the mixture.
All flavors in one…
Applewood admittedly pairs best with pork, and we recommend coating a rack of ribs in this rub and allowing them to set in the fridge for tender and juicy melt-in-your-mouth ribs. For a bit extra moisture, pair with Stubbs BBQ sauce.
This mix of honey granules and applewood is the perfect blend of all the signature BBQ flavors, sweet, savory, spicy, and salt are all expertly accounted for. It’s all natural flavors, and hand packed feel take the BBQ out of the yard to the chef’s table for a gourmet flavor any BBQ lover can get behind.
PROS
- All natural.
- No MSG, Gluten free.
- Handmade in South Carolina, USA.
- Well-rounded blend with a mild kick.
CONS
- Pricey.
7. Dirt – Sasquatch BBQ Espresso Chile Beef Rub – Best Spicy BBQ Rub
Further into the land of gourmet BBQ flavor, amongst the ancient Evergreens of the Pacific Northwest, lives the Sasquatch blend by Spiceology. Large in size and flavor, this rub uses espresso, charcoal, and chili to bring out the dark side of the grill.
This deep and sensuous rub packs inventive flavor in a 20 oz bottle, ideal for commercial kitchens and chefs. Made with hunters in mind, it pairs well with red meats, turkey, foul, or your favorite burgers. Activated charcoal and espresso are balanced with sweet and spicy accents for a one-of-a-kind rub that leaves a noticeable mark on all the meat it touches.
All natural, just like Sasquatch himself…
While Spiceology is admittedly more of a foodie brand than a down South BBQ landmark, they remain true to the characteristics of barbecue with the Sasquatch BBQ product line. They also guarantee all natural ingredients with no preservatives and fillers, compromising their nutritional value.
This is a blend for bold BBQ foodies who want to experience culinary trends and step-up to a gourmet-grade blend of artisan flavors. The bitter acidity of coffee mixed with chili is not for the faint of heart, so make sure you can handle this taste explosion.
PROS
- 20 oz. size.
- Packed in the USA.
- Distinctive flavor with charcoal and espresso.
- MSG free.
- Non-Irradiated, zero fillers, all natural.
CONS
- Unconventional spices may not be for everyone?
8. Plowboys Yardbird Rub – Best Award Winning BBQ Rub
Straight from the heart of Kansas City comes this mild and classic Plowboys Yardbird Rub. Winner of best pork rub in the 2009 American Royal Invitation, it’s proportional spice blending makes it worth trying on your next pork roast.
Even for the veggie lovers…
The Plowboys Yardbird Rub has a similar taste profile to Kosmo Q’s Honey Killer Bee Blend and works well as a family rub that can be used with all proteins, vegetables, and more. It is made up of pretty standard barbecue spices that hit all the flavor notes.
A word of warning, this blend is so strong in flavor there’s no need to completely cover the meat and vegetables with the rub. Instead, tread lightly to find your ideal flavor and dust moderately. If you want a less salty flavor, cut it with some brown sugar to balance out the sweet factor.
Subtle flavors…
A good barbecue rub will enhance, not overpower meats. The Yardbird blends a sweet and salty profile with minimal spice for family-friendly flavor. However, it lacks flair in overall taste.
PROS
- Mild flavor with minimal heat.
- Prize winning BBQ blend.
- All-purpose use with a variety of meats.
CONS
- Overpowering salty flavor.
- Contains preservatives.
9. The Salt Lick BBQ Original Dry Rub – Best Pork BBQ Rub
If you know Texas BBQ, then you already know The Salt Lick BBQ is famous for unmatched, simplistic rubs with outstanding flavor. Perfected over 50 years of hands-on precision, it is in the top tier of BBQ rubs for a reason.
Perfection to the core…
There are no upgraded fancy flavors, no sugars, and fillers, just a pure and simple blend of signature spices with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Best for smoking or offsetting a fine ribeye steak, the basic rub also translates well with brisket, ribs, poultry, and more. The sky’s the limit with this powerfully bold flavor.
The Salt Lick Original Dry Rub is a classic reminder that the best barbecue comes from those who have spent a lifetime doing it. It’s no wonder this down-home recipe has stood the test of time to become a staple with its unique flavor and commitment to quality, whole foods.
Not as family BBQ friendly…
The bold flavor of this blend makes it less family friendly than the sweeter BBQ blends and places it closer to the spicy end of the blends we tasted. It’s this salty and spicy combination that characterizes the Salt Lick taste, so don’t buy it expecting a mild, run-of-the-mill BBQ.
The catch? This set of three 4.9 oz bottles isn’t the most convenient or affordable way to purchase the blend. Be sure to check bottle size before ordering this product to ensure you’re well stocked for a full season of barbecue.
PROS
- Simple, whole ingredients without fillers.
- Product of Texas.
- Famous Salt Lick restaurant signature rub.
CONS
- Set of three 4.9 oz bottles.
- Pricey for size.
10. Rufus Teague: Dry Rub – Best All Meat BBQ Dry Rub
Rufus Teague is a landmark Kansas City brand that uses quality ingredients to provide an elevated, finger licking good BBQ. With the variety set of six award-winning rubs, there isn’t a lot you can’t tackle on the grill.
A blend for all BBQ’s…
It could not be simpler to choose which blend is right for your chosen dish. Grilling steak? Grab the Steak Rub. Frying fish? Use the Fish Rub. All rubs are named for their purpose and eliminate any need for guesswork. And if the spice level isn’t up to par, shake in a little of the Spicy Meat Rub for an extra kick.
The set includes the Chick N’ Rub that infuses citrus brightness with savory herbs to compliment the light texture of poultry. The Steak Rub relies on pepper and coffee to bring home the flavors of fine steakhouses. Most versatile is the generic Meat Rub that works well beyond the grill and can be added to anything needing a little kick of outdoor flavor.
All American goodness…
Made in America with a commitment to quality ingredients, Rufus Teague’s BBQ rubs are all free of GMOs, Gluten, and MSG. Combining 30 oz of specialized flavor with affordability and satisfaction guarantee, this set is a quintessential housewarming gift, if you can stand giving it away.
PROS
- Set of Five 6.2 oz
- Made in America.
- Non-GMO, Gluten Free, MSG free.
- Kosher.
- Satisfaction guaranteed.
CONS
- None
11. Rudy’s Texas Bar-B-Q Dry Rub – Best Spicy BBQ Dry Rub
Wherever you are in the world, it’s easy to bring home the taste of authentic San Antonio BBQ with Rudy’s Texas Bar-B-Q Dry Rub. For an intense flavor adventure that packs a punch and leaves your mouth watering for more, there isn’t a better option out there.
Too spicy for some…
Rudy’s is ideal for ribs or brisket but also works with grilled chicken, veggies, eggs, and just about anything you add it to. Particularly, we found it complimented the sumptuousness of prime rib though it’s spice level may be too intense for some.
This rub is not for the faint hearted and is much spicier than most rubs on the market. But is it too spicy? We’d venture to say no as the flavor can easily be modified with some sugar and onion powder to cut back on its prevalence.
To each their own…
It seems like there are two responses to Rudy’s Rub, those who swear by it and those whose lips are still burning. Make sure to consider how much heat you want before reaching for Rudy’s.
PROS
- No high fructose corn syrup or MSG.
- Gluten free.
- Made in the USA.
- The official rub from Rudy’s Texas Bar-B-Q Restaurant.
CONS
- Very spicy flavor.
12. Steven Raichlen Project Smoke BBQ Spice Rub Seasoning Combo Gift Pack – Best Combo Set BBQ Rub
There’s no other set of blends in our best BBQ rubs review that offers the diverse flavor characteristics of this combo gift set. If its distinction and variant flavor you’re after, you won’t be disappointed by this variety of rubs.
Created by a BBQ pro…
Steven Raichlen has made it his mission to seek out the world’s best barbeque, along the way he’s become a best-selling author, TV host a valued member of the world grilling authority. These rubs demonstrate an understanding of contrasting flavors and fundamental properties of BBQ spices.
Spanning the Southeast region of the United States to the Greek Islands, the set includes Carolina Pit Powder, Kansas City Smoke Rub, Santa Fe Coffee Rub, Fennel Pepper Rub, Malabar Steak Rub, Greek Island Herb Rub. All rubs except the Fennel Pepper Rub have sugar and are dominated by salt.
Tried and tested by the best…
Each bottle is unique and combines most bases of grilling use. Try the smoky Santa Fe Coffee rub on chicken for a deep and intense flavor or the Malabar Steak Rub on a piece of flank for a spiced up taste of India.
This sort of creative blending yields contemporary flavors based on time tested recipes. Each blend is complex and updated rather than dulled by domestic standards. This is a spice set for someone who’s tried it all in BBQ and is still looking for more.
PROS
- Gluten Free.
- Kosher.
- Set of six 6.5 oz bottles.
- Inclusive of International flavors.
CONS
- Non-traditional flavors may not be suitable for all.
Best BBQ Rubs Buying Guide
When it comes to selecting the perfect BBQ Rubs, it’s important to remember that barbecue is a world round tradition with distinct regional flair. Most of our blends can be categorized into two regions, the Southwest, particularly Texas, and the Southeast – Carolina and Louisiana.
The other notable difference is the spiciness of the blend. Mild blends are darker and find balance with sugar and savory characteristics. Bold blends are contrasted with fiery taste from multi-leveled blended chilies.
Lastly, our tasting identified two styles of rubs, upgraded gourmet blends, and down-home time tested recipes. While we like to think that tradition outlives trends, some new blends bring inventive compliments to basic barbecue flavor classics.
Grill with the Best
What’s a good BBQ rub without a great grill or smoker? Let’s help you choose by checking out our Best George Foreman Indoor Outdoor Grill review, our Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 Smoker review, our Best Traeger Grill reviews, the Best Small Grills, the Best Charcoal Grills, and the Best Smokeless Grills currently on the market.
So, what are the Best BBQ Rubs?
Whatever region you favor, we think all BBQ lovers will be able to enjoy our pick for the best rubs for BBQ. Again proving that everything’s bigger and better in Texas, including taste, therefore…
The Salt Lick Original Dry Rub
…is the best BBQ rub we tasted.
It offers uncompromising perfection in it’s blending makeup without over complicating the flavor profile. Simplicity speaks for itself and also works as the perfect base for home grilling. Aching for a spicier barbecue? Add a little extra chili powder. Grilling for the whole family? Cut with sugar and onion powder and apply with care.
Whatever you’re grilling, start with The Salt Lick Original Dry rub for unbeatable flavor and the best overall barbecue.
Happy Grilling!
