What do you look for in a rib rub?

[StraightUpBBQ]

Been thinking about developing and selling my own rub, I've got a baseline idea of what I want it to have but I'm curious what others typically like to have in their rub.

IMO I want a rub that offers great color, a savory initial bite that offers that SPG flavor while subtly leading to a sweetness in the middle of the bite and coming on with a little heat at the end.

One thing I've noticed with a lot of the popular rubs right now is their is always a "but" to them. One either has great color but it's too sweet or one has just the right amount of sweetness but it's too hot, etc etc.

Don't get me wrong there are a ton of great rubs available, I've come up with some stuff that I have really enjoyed and had good results with and I'm going to look in to having a batch produced and take it from there.

Anyway, let me know what you guys look for and I will consider it while in the lab, i mean backyard this weekend.

 

[highergr0und]

I like sweet and a just a touch of heat!!!

 

[Bob C Cue]

I like sweet and a just a touch of heat!!!

Better trade mark that phrase before it's too late!

It's trite but I also like sweetness for pork ribs and a bit of spiciness!

 

[DanB]

Rib Color

Hi I can't for the life of me to get a good red rib color, on my ribs.They always come out on the dark side.
I've used many different commercial rubs, with the same outcome,even tried using different temps
Can you recommend a rib rub that will give me a nice deep color I'm looking for?
Thanks DanB

 

[mikemci]

Savory and spicy for me. Right now I prefer Plowboys Yardbird with some HDD added. If I mix my own, it's SPOG, paprika and HDD. Nothing sweet on meat, for me.

 

[AP32312]

DanB - try the Jack Daniels Pork Rub. Great red color!

 

[StraightUpBBQ]

Hi I can't for the life of me to get a good red rib color, on my ribs.They always come out on the dark side.
I've used many different commercial rubs, with the same outcome,even tried using different temps
Can you recommend a rib rub that will give me a nice deep color I'm looking for?
Thanks DanB

Meat Church's Honey Hog rub has always done well for me, it's just very sweet.

 

[THoey1963]

Isn't color more based on a clean smoke and the type of wood used? Asking as that is what I always thought. I guess something like Paprika could change the color, so I was probably wrong.

Either way, the following are using my normal rib rub and cherry chunks. Love the color...

The rub I use:

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama), or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin

http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2010/03/southern-style-dry-rub-pork-ribs.html#axzz2vQH31wwA

 

[speed2486]

I usually end of checking it for my drool before applying! :tongue:

 

[mahenryak]

Lately, I like to apply blended peach preservers first, followed by the Meat Church rub-of-the-day. Then if I choose to foil I also like to add a little more peach preserve in the wrap. (Hat tip Yukon Ron, from another site)

 

[WareZdaBeef]

Don't buy premade rubs
thin coat molasses
2 part turbinado sugar
1 part Montreal steak seasoning

 

[mikemci]

Don't buy premade rubs
thin coat molasses
2 part turbinado sugar
1 part Montreal steak seasoning

How do you make the steak seasoning?

 

[Teleking]

Anything off the shelf has to much salt, except Mrs. Dash that is salt free.

 

[Free Mr. Tony]

Hi I can't for the life of me to get a good red rib color, on my ribs.They always come out on the dark side.
I've used many different commercial rubs, with the same outcome,even tried using different temps
Can you recommend a rib rub that will give me a nice deep color I'm looking for?
Thanks DanB

I would agree with above post about cooking method. If every Rub you try turns out dark, it's most likely the method not the rub.

 

[Free Mr. Tony]

Tarragon is a good "secret ingredient" in rubs. Nice flavor and aroma. Hard to identify for some, and also gives it that unique flavor that sets it apart a bit from the pack.

 

[Happy Hapgood]

All I can offer as a back yard BBQ warrior is that since I've joined this fine site I've discovered that it's not so much the ingredients as it is the blend (or proper proportions of the ingredients). The Wizz-Bag effect if you will. Big deal to me. It was like night and day trying rubs like Oakridge and Simply Marvelous brands.

If you can beat them, you may be on to something. Good Luck.

 

[cullenbranson]

Sweet-rub ribs are my choice too. But I like to mix it up depending on the day, anything from jerk to curry to SPOG.

 

[revkab]

Hi I can't for the life of me to get a good red rib color, on my ribs.They always come out on the dark side.
I've used many different commercial rubs, with the same outcome,even tried using different temps
Can you recommend a rib rub that will give me a nice deep color I'm looking for?
Thanks DanB

Why not try smoking with some cherry? That'll give you a touch of red, not to mention a great flavor. Another thing you might try is adding a bit of tomato powder to your mix. It'll add some red, and a subtle sweet flavor layer.

 

[Smoke Dawg]

Smartazz answer is ........... Meat!


I stopped making my own when I found Oakridge but I have blended at times.

If it is just cooking for freinds and family I will make sweet and heat combos. I don't do comp but a friendly rib cookoff and to win with the backyard judges - Sweet wins
It all come down to who the end product is for.

 

[WareZdaBeef]

How do you make the steak seasoning?

I don't. I just buy the Mccormick brand. Lots of medium coarse seasoning in it. Sea salt is the first ingredient so 2 part sugar is a good balance.