Best Pork Rubs

By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Pork rubs are an excellent way to elevate the flavor of your meat, transforming a simple pork roast or chop into a delicious meal. These spice blends, popular among home cooks and grill masters, enhance the taste of pork dishes with a mix of salt, sugar, and spices. The salt highlights the meat’s natural flavors, while the sugar creates a flavorful crust during cooking. Spices like paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper add depth and complexity. When choosing a pork rub, consider your flavor preferences—some rubs are spicy, others sweet or savory. Salt content is also key, as too much can overwhelm the dish. We tested various pork rubs on different cuts to find the best options for home cooks.
RubWise Texas Pork Rub
We think this pork rub is a must-try for BBQ lovers who want authentic Texas flavor without any heat.
We think this pork rub is a must-try for BBQ lovers who want authentic Texas flavor without any heat.
We’ve tried this rub on several pork cuts, and it never fails to impress. The blend of brown and white sugars gives a nice sweetness that balances perfectly with the other spices. It’s not just for pork either – we found it works great on steaks and burgers too.
What really stands out is how it caramelizes during cooking. This creates a tasty crust on the meat that’s hard to beat. We like that it’s made in Texas by people who know their BBQ. The lack of MSG is a plus for those watching their ingredient lists.
One downside is the size – at only 1 pound, we find ourselves running out quicker than we’d like. It’s also a bit sweeter than some other rubs we’ve tried, which might not be for everyone. The price is a little higher, but we think the quality makes up for it. If you’re after that authentic Texas BBQ taste, this rub is worth a try.
Fiesta Pork Rub
We believe this pork rub is a must-have for anyone who loves flavorful, well-seasoned meats.
We believe this pork rub is a must-have for anyone who loves flavorful, well-seasoned meats.
We tried Bolner’s Fiesta Pork Rub on several cuts of pork and were impressed by its taste. The blend of spices creates a savory flavor that enhances the meat without overpowering it. We found it worked great on ribs, pork loins, and even chops.
The 20-ounce container gives good value for money. It lasted us through many cookouts and family dinners. We liked that a little goes a long way, so we didn’t need to use too much each time.
We noticed the rub also works well on chicken, making it more versatile than we first thought. While it’s great on its own, we tried mixing in some brown sugar for a touch of sweetness. This gave our pork dishes an extra tasty boost.
Traeger Perfect Pork Rub
We think this sweet and savory rub is a must-have for pork lovers looking to elevate their dishes.
We think this sweet and savory rub is a must-have for pork lovers looking to elevate their dishes.
We tried the Traeger Perfect Pork Rub on various cuts of pork, and we were impressed by its flavor profile. The mix of brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, and garlic creates a tasty coating that enhances the natural taste of pork. We found it works great on chops, pulled pork, and even bacon.
The rub comes in a handy 6.5-ounce tin that’s easy to store and use. We liked that we could sprinkle it on before cooking or add it to finished dishes for extra flavor. It’s a nice touch that the ingredients are kosher certified, making it a good pick for those with dietary needs.
While we enjoyed the sweetness, some of our testers felt it was a bit too much. We noticed the rub can get lumpy in the container, so you might need to break it up before use. Keep in mind that this rub is made for pork, so it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for an all-purpose seasoning. Still, for pork fans, we think this rub is a solid choice to keep in the spice cabinet.
Stubb’s Pork Seasoning
We recommend Stubb’s Pork Rub for its authentic Texas flavor and high-quality ingredients.
We recommend Stubb’s Pork Rub for its authentic Texas flavor and high-quality ingredients.
We tried Stubb’s Pork Rub on different cuts of meat, and it didn’t let us down. The mix of sea salt, paprika, mustard, and lime juice gives pork a zingy kick that’s hard to beat. We loved how it brought out the best in our grilled chops and roasts.
This rub isn’t just for pork. We tested it on chicken and even some grilled veggies. It added a nice touch to everything we cooked. The lime flavor is pretty strong, so keep that in mind if you’re not big on citrus.
We like that Stubb’s uses real ingredients with no fake stuff. It’s also gluten-free and non-GMO, which is a plus for many folks. The 5.07-ounce container lasted us quite a while, as a little goes a long way. We found it easy to use – just pat it on before cooking, and you’re good to go.
Notorious P.I.G. Pork Rub
We think this sweet and smoky pork rub is a must-have for BBQ enthusiasts looking to elevate their grilling game.
We think this sweet and smoky pork rub is a must-have for BBQ enthusiasts looking to elevate their grilling game.
We recently tried the Notorious P.I.G. Pulled Pork Rub from PS Seasoning, and it quickly became a favorite in our BBQ toolkit. The blend of brown sugar and peppers creates a perfect balance of sweetness and heat that complements pork beautifully.
During our test, we used this rub on both pulled pork and ribs. The results were impressive. It formed a nice crust on the meat while infusing it with a deep, smoky flavor. We found it worked equally well as a dry rub or mixed with a bit of oil for a wet application.
One thing we really appreciated was the rub’s versatility. It’s not just for pulled pork – it also shines on chops and other cuts. The lack of artificial flavors and MSG is a big plus in our book. While it’s a bit pricier than some basic rubs, we think the quality ingredients justify the cost.
Byron’s Butt Rub
We think Byron’s Butt Rub is a must-have seasoning for any BBQ enthusiast looking to add bold flavor to their meats and more.
We think Byron’s Butt Rub is a must-have seasoning for any BBQ enthusiast looking to add bold flavor to their meats and more.
We’ve tried Byron’s Butt Rub on everything from ribs to popcorn, and it never disappoints. The blend of spices packs a punch without being too hot. We love how it forms a nice crust on grilled meats.
This rub works great as a base for homemade BBQ sauce too. We mixed it with some ketchup and vinegar for a quick sauce that got rave reviews at our last cookout. The 4.5-ounce jar lasted us through several meals.
One thing to note – a little goes a long way. We found it easy to over-season at first. Start with less than you think you need and add more to taste. The mix of salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika is tasty but can be strong on milder foods like fish or eggs.
Notorious P.I.G. Pork Rub
We think this flavorful pork rub is a top choice for BBQ fans looking to elevate their pulled pork game.
We think this flavorful pork rub is a top choice for BBQ fans looking to elevate their pulled pork game.
We tried PS Seasoning’s Notorious P.I.G. rub on some pork shoulders recently. The sweet brown sugar balances nicely with the peppery kick. It created a tasty bark on our pulled pork that had guests asking for the recipe.
This rub works great as both a dry and wet seasoning. We rubbed it on pork chops before grilling and mixed it into a marinade for ribs. The flavors really shine through no matter how you use it.
The 25.8 oz container is perfect for BBQ enthusiasts who cook pork often. We like that it’s made in the USA without MSG or artificial additives. While a bit spicy and salty, adjusting the amount lets you customize the flavor to your taste.
McCormick Brown Sugar Bourbon Rub
We think this versatile rub is a must-have for pork lovers who want to add a sweet and savory kick to their grilling.
We think this versatile rub is a must-have for pork lovers who want to add a sweet and savory kick to their grilling.
This rub packs a flavor punch. We sprinkled it on pork chops and were blown away by the sweet, smoky taste. The brown sugar and bourbon notes shine through without being too strong. It’s not just for pork – we tried it on chicken and salmon too.
The big 27 oz container is great for frequent grillers. We found a little goes a long way, so it should last a while. The shaker top makes it easy to apply, but it can get clogged if moisture gets in.
We love how versatile this rub is. It works well as a seasoning, dry rub, or marinade base. We mixed some with oil for a quick marinade on ribs. The taste was amazing. While it’s meant for grilling, we also used it to jazz up roasted veggies. Just be careful – it can overpower milder foods if you use too much.
Lambert’s Sweet Championship Rub
We think this award-winning rub is a must-try for pork lovers seeking championship-level flavor at home.
We think this award-winning rub is a must-try for pork lovers seeking championship-level flavor at home.
We’ve tried many pork rubs, but Lambert’s Sweet Rub O’ Mine stands out. This blend won the 2013 Memphis in May Grand Championship, and it’s easy to see why. The mix of sweetness and spices creates a perfect balance that works great on pork shoulder, ribs, and even chicken.
When we used this rub on a rack of ribs, the result was amazing. The sweetness caramelized nicely, forming a tasty crust. It didn’t overpower the meat’s natural flavors but added a nice depth. We found it worked well in both the oven and on the grill.
The 12.5-ounce container might seem big, but we went through it faster than expected. It’s so good, we started using it on more than just pork. The rub adds a nice touch to chicken and even some veggies. While it’s a bit pricier than basic rubs, we think the quality and versatility make it worth the cost for BBQ fans.
Bad Byron’s BBQ Rub
We think Bad Byron’s Butt Rub is a top choice for pork lovers seeking a flavorful, versatile seasoning.
We think Bad Byron’s Butt Rub is a top choice for pork lovers seeking a flavorful, versatile seasoning.
We tried Bad Byron’s Butt Rub on pork, chicken, and even veggies. The blend of spices gave our meats a smoky, authentic Texas-style flavor. We liked that it’s MSG-free and works well on different foods.
The rub has a nice kick from black pepper and chipotle powder. It might be too spicy for those who prefer milder seasonings. We found it perfect for pork butt and ribs, adding depth without overpowering the meat.
We appreciated the large 52-ounce package, which lasted through many BBQ sessions. The powder form was easy to apply, but we wish the container had a shaker top for easier use. Despite this small issue, we think it’s a great value for BBQ fans.
Buying Guide
When picking a pork rub, we look at a few key things. Flavor is important, but so are texture and ingredients.
Flavor Profile
We want a rub that complements pork without overpowering it. A good mix of sweet, savory, and spicy notes works well.
Texture
The grind matters. Fine powders coat evenly, while coarser blends add texture. We prefer a mix of both for the best results.
Ingredients
Quality matters. We look for rubs with natural ingredients and no artificial additives. Here’s what to check for:
- Salt content (not too high)
- Sugar type (brown sugar is common)
- Spices (paprika, garlic, onion are staples)
- Heat source (cayenne, black pepper, chili flakes)
Versatility
A good rub should work on different cuts of pork. We like ones that suit both low-and-slow and high-heat cooking.
Packaging
Airtight containers keep rubs fresh longer. We prefer resealable options for easy storage.
Value
Price per ounce varies widely. We compare to find the best balance of quality and cost.
By considering these factors, we can pick a pork rub that’ll enhance our barbecue every time.