The 15 Best BBQ Rubs Reviews & Top Pick 2021

During a beach outing on a sunny Sunday or in any barbecuing, you might need the best BBQ rubs to grill like an expert. You can use them as an alternative to the sauce if you want to add flavor to your meat. 

There are hundreds of rubs on the shelves today, making it hard to choose the best. Luckily, that is where we come in handy to help you select a brand and product that can serve your purpose.

In this article, we have listed the top 15 BBQ rubs for 2021 and also given you a guide to help you choose the perfect one.

BBQ Rubs Reviews – Top 15 Picks for 2021

Let’s dive into the reviews of the top rubs that can make your Sunday afternoon more delicious.

1. Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub – 12-Ounce

The first pick is the 12 ounces BBQ Rub from Killer Hogs. You will always get this product listed as one of the best commercial rubs in the industry. And there are a lot of reasons for this as seen in this review.  

It quickly draws out the natural flavor of your meat to make sure that your taste buds and ears get the rich sound of the meal. The product builds up an attractive mahogany colored bark on your poultry, pork, and beef.

It lets you cook like a professional pitmaster and was developed by Killer Hogs’ BBQ Championship Team who spent years trying to perfect it. Some of its main ingredients include spices, salt, brown sugar, sugar, and paprika.

There is also dill weed, dehydrated garlic, onion powder, chili pepper, and more. However, it is the blend of spices, heat, sugar, and salt that appeal to the taste buds.

Pros 

• Leaves a mildly salty, smoky, and a sweet finish
• Creates a perfect bark on your meat
• Have minimal sodium content

Cons

• Clumps up easily

2. Kismos Q Cow Cover BBQ Rub – 10.5 Oz

The Kismos Q Cow Cover BBQ Rub transforms poultry, beef, and other meats into a lip-smacking, delicious meal. It lets you grill your foods like a professional to ensure that you satisfy the whole family and guest. 

The delicious rub powder is the ideal seasoning to include spice in your red meat. That is all possible due to the unique blend of various ingredients that form the right balance of smoky-heat and savory. 

You can be the confidence of getting a mouthwatering explosion that offers the perfect amount of chili pepper for your needs. One thing that you might like about the product is the ease of use.

You can use it for ribs, chicken wings, and even on fries and burgers, making it a versatile product. Besides, it improves the flavors of baked beans, potatoes, casseroles, and more.

Pros 

• For different meals 
• Rigorously tested 
• Gives a mouth-watering result

Cons

• Slightly salty 

3. Bad Byron’s Butt Rub – 26-Ounce

If you want an authentic Texas-style rub to add to your BBQ seasoning cabinet, then you should get the Bad Byron’s Butt Rub. It comes in a large 26 ounces bottle that offers value for the money.

The rub provides a smoky, natural flavor and is ideal for chicken, ribs, steak, and pork. Despite being recommended for pork, the product blend is made up to black pepper, paprika, and chipotle powder.

The three ingredients mix to make it a rub that you can use on almost all your meals. One thing you should note about this seasoning is that it is MSG-free, meaning it is safe.

It also tastes delicious when sprinkled on seafood and vegetables as well. You would be right if you called it an all-purpose rub for spicing your foods.

Pros 

• Versatile and is perfect for vegetables 
• Gluten-free and MSG-free
• Well balanced to offer the ideal flavors

Cons

• A bit spicy for some users

4. Rub with Love Salmon Rub – 16 Oz

Rub with Love Salmon is a dry product that was inspired by a Northwest’s fish and adds spicy flavor to all meats. It is a popular seasoning in most kitchens all-over the world and continues to attract new users. 

As well as the fresh fish, the rub comprises of versatile spices and herbs that make grilling an enjoyable adventure. All the ingredients come together to make it suitable for use on chicken wings, chicken breasts, thick steaks, pork cutlets, and much more.  

Another thing is the smoky flavor that is possible due to the thyme, brown sugar, and paprika. These natural seasonings add the perfect touch to your meats for a busting bite full of smoked flavor.

As a natural product, the rub does not contain MSG or gluten that can harm your body. There are only pure and fresh herbs as well as spices for improving the flavor. 

Pros 

• All-natural ingredients 
• Perfect for all kind of meats
• Known around the world 

Cons

• Slightly expensive 

5. Pork Barrel BBQ All American Seasoning Mix – 22-Ounce

Give your meals a delicious smoky flavor by applying the Pork Barrel BBQ All American Seasoning Mix. The product is loved by many pitmasters and comes in a huge 22 ounces bottle to ensure that it lasts for a while.

With this dry rub, you can add slow-cooked flavors into your foods without cooking them for hours. That means you save time when preparing your meats and still get the amazing taste you always like. 

The product was made for use on fish fillets, veggies, shrimp, scallops, beef, chili, pork, chicken, and more. Besides, it is MSG, preservative, and gluten-free.

It is, therefore, a safe seasoning that you can add to all your meals without worrying about anything. The product was developed by enthusiastic BBQ pitmasters and was inspired by the classic American BBQ.

It is also friendly on your pocket and will last you for a couple of uses.

Pros 

• Developed by BBQ lovers
• For all types of meals, including veggies 
• Comes at a friendly price

Cons

• Can be too spicy if used excessively 

6. Oakridge BBQ Signature Edition – 1 Pound

The Oakridge BBQ Signature Edition is one of the BBQ rubs that can easily turn your meats into delicious meals. It comes in a vast one pound bottle that ensures you use for long before needing to visit the market.

Besides, you can buy it as a single pack or two, depending on your frequent grilling. Its package is also easy to reseal after every use to make sure that the powder remains dry when not in use. 

Just like the best rubs out there, the product does not contain MSG or gluten, meaning that you can count on it to give you a healthy body. It is also straightforward to use the seasoning even if you have never used it before.

The product gives all the meats a great color that is attractive to all the people.

Pros 

• Comes in a sealable package 
• For everyday use
• Gives meals a great color

Cons

• Need to use a lot to get the flavor

7. Traeger Grills SPC182 Seasoning Veggies Rub – 5.5 Oz

Traeger Grills SPC182 is a product for spicing your meats and vegetables to ensure that you understand that delicious taste you have always wanted. It is made up of hearty shake of garlic, chili pepper, paprika, and herbs to bring out the excellent flavor. 

The blend of its ingredients makes users want to consume veggie, just like their mothers taught them. One thing you should note is that the product comes packaged in an aluminum tin that prevents moisture from dumping the powder.

The tin is also safe, and the seasoning is gluten and GMO-free to make it safe for human consumption. Also, the powder boasts of hickory hardwood pellets and sugar lips Sirach glaze that transforms its taste.

You can use the product on all meats, including chicken wings, beef, and chicken breasts and all veggies.

Pros 

• Multi-purpose powder
• Made of natural ingredients
• Makes vegetables to be tasty 

Cons

• Hardwood pellets

8. Big Cock Ranch Good Shit Seasoning – 12-Ounce

Good Shit Seasoning is a sweet and salty product that is carefully made to make your meats delicious. The model is made of a unique formula that brings out the sweetness to all palates as no other product can.

You can use it on pork, ribs, and chickens to make them tastier than consuming standard grilled meat. The product was made to be used for party BBQ and is also ideal for commercial use.

One thing that makes it a great product is the ability to adjust the sweetness of your meals to suit your taste buds. You can use it on popcorn and teriyaki also, making it a versatile product. 

Besides, it is an affordable product that comes in an economy bottle that you can easily pick from the supermarket. Its packaging is also lovely, and you can easily see all the ingredients on the label.

Pros 

• For popcorn and teriyaki use
• Easy to add to your meals
• Comes in a nice packaging

Cons

• Small bottle 

9. McCormick Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple – 15.5 Oz

Another product that will work for all your meals is the McCormick Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple. It is a great seasoning that comes in a 15.5 oz. bottle that is easy to spot from all the other brands on the shelves.

The rub is made of a bold blend of onion, maple syrup, brown sugar, and garlic. There are no artificial flavors, or MSG added in the bottle to make sure that you get a safe-to-use product.

Another thing you should note about the rub is that it’s made of McCormick spices. It is ideal for applying on seafood, pork, chicken, and burgers, making it an all-purpose product.  

Besides, it is an economic rub – you only need to use a single tablespoon to season your pound of fresh. With this seasoning, you can easily rank among the best pitmasters out there.

Pros 

• Great for all meals
• An economical product
• Made of natural ingredients

Cons

• Slightly extremely spicy 

10. John Henry’s Pecan Rub – 11.5 Oz

John Henry’s Pecan Rub is the most popular product from this company and comes with a smoky pecan flavor that adds sweetness to your meals. It is an all-purpose rub that is made of spices, salt, and sugar to ensure that you get the right blend of ingredients.

Furthermore, it is MSG and gluten-free, making it an all-natural seasoning for human use. You can use this rub for all your outdoor seasoning activities before or after smoking your meats.

What’s more, it is recommended for beef, steak, pork, chicken, fish, ribs, and all types of meats. It is certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture as a natural spicing product. 

Also, it is an award-winning product that has ranked among the top BBQ rubs for years. It is a formula that has been passed from one generation to the other for centuries and continues to offer tasty meals.

Pros 

• Great for steak, pork, fish, and other meats
• For outdoor use
• Certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture

Cons

• Comes in a small bottle 

11. Jack Daniel’s Original Quality Beef Rub – 9 Oz

Jack Daniel’s Original Quality Beef Rub was developed to smoke brisket by creating a coat of sweetness that makes your mouth watering. It is recommended for all cut of beef and other kinds of foods, such as veggies.

The seasoning adds a rich and robust flavor to your meals to make them more delicious than consuming regular grilled meats. You should use the product on your meat before grilling or smoking them to get the best outcome. 

Moreover, the model is gluten-free – it is made of natural ingredients that cannot cause cancer or other conditions. Its nine oz. bottle is economical to ensure that you get only what you need to last you for a couple of uses. 

That means you don’t risk the product losing its flavor for staying too long. The bottle also seals completely to prevent moisture from interfering with the powder.

Pros 

• Comes in an economical bottle
• Adds flavor to all meats
• Stays fresh for long

Cons

• Not quite spicy 

12. Plowboys Yardbird Rub – 14 Oz

Bring your fish, poultry, pork, salads, vegetable, and more to life with this powder. It is one of the best seasonings you can get out there and comes in an economy bottle that you can use for a couple of use. 

As an all-purpose product, you can use it on most meats, but it is especially recommended for pork. The rub scooped the award of the Place Pork in 2009 in American Royal Invitation. 

The best thing is that it comes in a shaker container that makes it easier to apply to your foods. You might also be excited to learn that the developer added just the right amount of species to guarantee a tasty meal.

It brings out the natural flavor of most foods to ensure that you enjoy your meals the way they should. Moreover, it is an affordable product that won’t hurt your pocket.

Pros 

• Very affordable 
• Comes with the right mix
• Perfect for pork

Cons

• Might not work on other meats

13. Kosmos Q Salt & Vinegar Wing Dust – 8 Oz

Kosmos Q Salt & Vinegar Wing Dust is a great product that ensures you get tasty meals. It quickly turns your meats into lip-smacking, delicious, and head-turning foods that wow the consumer. 

It is recommended for use as a commercial product as well as for family gatherings. What’s more, it is a high-quality powder that is made of the best ingredients on the market today. 

Some of its common elements include salt and distilled vinegar – they come together to form a tasty product. The seasoning is specially made for chicken, but you can use it for other meats.

You can also use it to improve the flavors of potato chips, fries, nuts, popcorn, snack mixes, and others. Its bottle is light enough to allow you to take it with you wherever you go.

Pros

• For popcorns, fries, and other fast foods
• Made of great ingredients
• From a reputable brand

Cons

• Doesn’t last long

14. BBQ BROS Rubs Ultimate BBQ Spices Seasoning Set – 2.2 Pounds

The BBQ BROS Rubs are the perfect products for gifting someone you love. It is a set of three bottles that weighs 2.2 pounds to make sure that you get more value with every container.

The product has been on the market for over five years and continues to get positive reviews from customers. Besides, the powder doesn’t contain any glutted or MSG and is pitmaster approved.

You can also get your money back if the product doesn’t suit your needs or if it is contaminated. The other thing, it was made for use on all type of meats such as fish, beef, chicken, and others.

It is also straightforward to use the powder as it comes with clear instructions on how to add it.

Pros

• For all meats
• Comes in a set of three
• Pitmaster approved 

Cons

• Can expire before it is ultimately used

15. Killer Bee Honey Rub – 12 Oz

If you want a BBQ powder that is MSG and gluten-free, then this is the bottle for you. It tastes incredibly well to ensure that you get uniquely grilled meats for the whole family use. 

The product turns standard meats into lip-smacking and delicious meals that you can consume on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Furthermore, the seasoning promises the best flavor to the users and provides the sweetness of honey on your meal.

Perfect for ribs and chicken, the rub features fine ground spices that make it ideal for injecting. It comes with a unique balance of honey and savory spices that make it unique.

The main ingredients used in this product are honey powder, celery, and dextrose. These are all sweet elements that make your food to be delicious.

Pros 

• Perfect for all meats
• Offers a balance of flavors
• Great value for money

Cons

• Slightly expensive 

BBQ Rub Common Ingredients 

Whether you buy a BBQ rub or create one at home, there some common ingredients that every product should have. These ingredients are paprika, pepper, salt, and sugar. 

Salt – It is essential to have salt on your seasoning product. The perfect amount of salt mixed with the right portion of other seasoning improves the taste of the meat or other items. You should look for kosher, regular, or sea salt in your product.

Sugar – It helps to add flavor. You should look for refined or raw sugar in the rub you want to purchase. These products also come with brown sugar. 

Pepper – Ground black or white pepper is one of the essential ingredients of a rub. Some products also come with chipotle pepper that adds the spicy flavor. 

Paprika – Paprika is mainly used to add the intense flavor and texture of a smoked piece. Besides, it helps to add color to the food.

FAQ About BBQ Rubs

Q: Which Store Sells The Best Rubs?

A: There are hundreds of stores that sell these products. You can choose the one that is near your home or try buying online in stores such as Amazon. 

Q: Why Should I Dry Rub Meat?

A:  Dry rub improves the meat’s flavor. It leads to juicy mouth-watering meat if you apply it the right way.

Q: Can I Rub Meat Overnight?

A: Yes. That can provide you with juicy meat. You should try to rub your meat a day before and then freeze it before you smoke.

Q: Difference Between Seasoning And Rub?

A: Seasoning can include all spices such as black pepper and salt while dry rub involves applying sugar, paprika, sugar, and salt to improve the flavor of your food. Seasoning can have herbs and spices.

Final Words

The best BBQ rubs can quickly transform your meat to make it a mouth-watering meal that you will enjoy on a Sunday afternoon. We have reviewed the leading products that you should consider getting for your personal use.