Give a flavor boost to chicken, pork, beef and more with these top-rated seasonings.
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Whether you're a barbecue fanatic with all the best grilling gear or just learning how to grill, having the right mix of spice rubs upgrades every meal. The best BBQ rubs are ones that add lots of flavor, from smoky and spicy to herby and complex flavors, to your favorite vegetables and proteins.
We taste-tested over 50 BBQ rubs to put together this list of the best options that are easy to buy online.
Our top picks:
Meat Church Honey Hog BBQ Rub
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Sure, you could whip up a great BBQ rub recipe, but when you're short on time and simply looking to add flavor to your grilled chicken recipe, a good store-bought BBQ rub is a stellar shortcut. Keeping a few well-balanced mixes on hand means that your can fire up the grill on any Tuesday to whip up a barbecue recipe (hello al fresco summer dinner!).
To find the best of the best, we slathered rubs on chicken and beef, then grilled the proteins to let the rubs' flavors shine. Our picks are well-balanced and they will, we’re sure, make any grilling recipe even better this season, whether you’re searing some spice-rubbed vegetables or charring a succulent steak recipe. And don't forget to pair your proteins with some delicious BBQ side dishes for the perfect summer BBQ menu.
Flavor profile: mild and smoky
The classic BBQ rub recipe from Meat Church, with a punchy color and mild smoky spice from paprika, is for the grilling purists. A little dusting of this makes every protein, from shrimp to ribeyes, shine. Looking to treat the grilling fanatic in your life to a flavorful rub? This all-purpose pick is a great gift.
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Flavor profile: sweet and spicy
Calling all spice lovers: This balanced but hot bottle gives your grilled meal a kick with the help of dehydrated habanero chiles. The addition of honey cools off the heat and keeps you coming back for more. Pair with more mild proteins that still have a good amount of fat, like chicken thighs or pork chops, which will stand up to the bold flavor of the rub.
Flavor profile: sweet and savory
Prefer sweet to heat? This approachable bottle is a great seasoning to keep on hand. With a sweetness from honey powder and depth from dehydrated garlic, this rub is the perfect partner to juicy pork tenderloin.
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4
Sweet Swine O'Mine Lambert's Sweet Rub O' Mine
Flavor profile: all-purpose spice
Lambert's Barbecue has been making award-winning slow-smoked meats in Austin, TX for years. The mild combo of dried herbs and seasonings with a hint of smoky spice at the end makes this BBQ rub an all-around all-star for your grilling needs.
Flavor Profile: savory, spicy and rich
This dynamite duo from Plowboys BBQ, a joint with locations in Kansas and Missouri, will satisfy all of your classic Kansas City-Style barbecue cravings. The Yardbird option is a great bbq rub for chicken while Bovine Bold is a perfect complement to smoked brisket.
Flavor profile: bold and peppery
If you're looking for a unique spice rub to add to grilled steaks, check out this box from the grilling greats, Traeger. The combo of dried herbs and warm black pepper heat shines through on any steak but it pairs surprisingly well with salmon, too.
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Flavor profile: tropical spice
This bottle is another favorite from Inspired by Hawaiian teriyaki, this dry rub is rich with sweet pineapple flavor. Salty soy sauce powder, chile flakes and cayenne pepper amp up the salty spiciness for an amazing balanced bite. While you can pair with almost any grilled protein (seafood, FTW!), it makes a delicious seasoning blend when simply sprinkled onto a grain or rice bowl.
Flavor profile: bright, citrusy and smoky
While this spice mix, a well-balanced combo of salt, date powder, lime juice powder and cumin is a match made in heaven with pork butt slow-cooked into carnitas, it also makes for one of the best bbq rubs for pulled pork. Throw a sprinkle of this on any cut to complement the richness of pork.
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Flavor profile: slightly spicy and complex
Warm spices and Szechuan peppercorns create an unexpected and flavor-packed rub with a hint of tongue-tingling heat. Whether you're grilling chicken legs or putting a spin on Thanksgiving this year, this rub elevates any poultry, and with its approachable but delicious combo of pepper and garlic, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser for even mild palates.
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Flavor profile: complex, expanding heat
At first taste, this rub is a simple and delicious mixture of salt, pepper, and dried spices, but with each bite, heat from cayenne and sriracha powder builds, creating a crave-able combo you'll sprinkle on everything.
Flavor profile: bold and savory
Basic doesn't mean boring! This classic rub reminded tasters of stunning steakhouse meals when eaten with beef and chicken. A divine combo of dried onions, garlic and mustard and dill seeds add flair to any protein. Reach for this canister to add bold flavor to dinner tonight.
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Flavor profile: citrusy and smoky
Top Chef alum Stephanie Izard launched her brand to bring international flavors to anyone's kitchen in the form of vibrant sauces and complex seasoning blends. This vibrant blend pairs well with fatty meats like chicken thighs, and it also shines on grilled veggies.
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Flavor profile: sweet and sticky
No sauce needed with this box! The addition of honey powder turns this rub into a sticky glaze once cooked with a mild, sweet and savory flavor that complements chicken perfectly.
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Becca Miller
Associate Editor
Becca Miller (she/her) has been working in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen since 2018, where she researches and writes about tasty recipes, food trends and top cooking tools. She graduated from NYU with a liberal arts degree focusing on creative writing. She makes killer scrambled eggs, enjoys a glass of un-oaked chardonnay and takes pride in her love of reality television.
