The 15 Best BBQ Rubs

DennyMike’s Pixie Dust doesn’t just come with a fun name; it packs a potent, savory flavor. There’s mesquite powder, ground celery seed, garlic, paprika, and plenty of chili. They’re not kidding when they say it’s universal, but we think that this blend works especially well for steaks.

The Watkins Co. partnered with the team behind the television show Yellowstone to make a line of Chef Gator-approved seasoning blends. Their Cowboy BBQ rub is the most balanced of the bunch, with molasses, paprika, vinegar, and mustard all making an appearance. Something about it is the perfect pairing for cheese, which makes it an ideal seasoning for when you’re grilling burgers in the backyard.

When it comes to seasoning chicken, the obvious choice is lemon and pepper. But while other poultry spice blends are overwhelmingly tart and lemon juice-forward, the one from Jake’s Grillin uses ground coffee as the primary ingredient. The savory, slightly bitter coffee is upgraded with aromatic lemon peel, onion, and herbs.

Apple and chipotle aren’t exactly two flavors that we’d pair together, but in this rub they really work. The apple powder provides a baseline of mild, natural sweetness. And the heat from this rub is threefold: there’s the smoky chipotle, intense cayenne, and a sharp punch from mustard seed that hits you right in your nostrils.

Kansas City-style barbecue is known for its thick, tomato-based sauces that are both sweet and savory. This barbecue rub strikes a similar chord. There’s a strong umami-forward foundation made up of garlic, onion, bell pepper, and plenty of MSG.

If you want a deep, caramelized crust on your barbecue, the seasoning and rub from Bone Suckin’ Sauce is perfect. The main ingredient is brown sugar, which helps develop a golden exterior while imparting a deep, nuanced sweetness to your meat. Pair it with their iconic barbecue sauce and you’re set.

AC Barbeque is a new venture from comedian Cedric the Entertainer and Black-ish star Anthony Anderson. And these Hollywood guys are surprisingly good at making seasoning. The MVP blend is their signature combo of spices with smoke, ground coffee, and vinegar powder. It’s got a nice tang that pairs well with just about any cut of meat.

Sometimes we want to let the meat do all the talking. And while many rubs can overwhelm your protein, Traeger’s Anything Rub is delightfully subtle. It’s light and mild enough to put on everything: fish, poultry, pork, beef, and even vegetables. It’s so versatile that one of our editors would use it in place of salt in their everyday cooking.

Rub-A-Dub uses ingredients with naturally-occurring sugar and glutamate compounds. Instead of white sugar, they use honey. Instead of umami boosters like MSG, they use tomato powder. There’s nothing wrong with MSG, but if you’re looking for naturally-derived flavor, Rub-A-Dub is the blend for you.

While not the same as regional American barbecue styles, Korean barbecue is a long-standing tradition. This rub from Spiceology mimics many of the classic flavors you can expect from KBBQ: soy, chile, and sesame. The best cuts for this blend are pork belly and short ribs, but it’s versatile enough to use on everything.