7 Best Pulled Pork Rubs to Boost Your BBQ Flavor
Top pulled pork rubs for BBQ enthusiasts: Traeger Grills SPC171, Pork Barrel BBQ, Lambert’s Sweet Rub O’ Mine, Texas Style Pork BBQ Rub, and more!
This guide will help narrow down the best pulled pork rubs to buy for your home BBQ experiments.
Based on our own staff’s experience, in-depth research in premium trade subscriptions, and crunching publicly available user reviews, we’ve curated the thousands of options on the market for a few that fit each typical use.
Whether you are looking for a new and different pork recipe or classic for a pulled pork sandwich, a good pulled pork rub can take your BBQ to the next level without the fuss of making your own. Here are the details for all the best pulled pork rub options.
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Traeger Grills SPC171 Pork and Poultry Rub with Apple and Honey
If you’re looking for the best pulled pork rub to buy, you’ll want to check out the Traeger Grills SPC171 Pork and Poultry Rub with Apple and Honey.
This seasoning is perfect for grilling and smoking meats, as it features sweet and savory flavors that pair perfectly with milder meats.
The rub comes in a stackable aluminum tin container, making it easy to store. It’s also kosher, gluten free, and GMO free. It also works well on pork skins.
Pork Barrel BBQ All American Seasoning Mix
There are lots of different types of BBQ rubs out there, but not all will make your food taste great. One brand in particular that has been made with the best ingredients and is sure to give you a deliciously smoky flavor is Pork Barrel BBQ All American Seasoning Mix (22 oz.).
This seasoning blend was inspired by the flavors of classic American barbecue and crafted by enthusiastic pit masters. With this product, you can easily impart slow-cooked flavors into any kind of meat or other foods without actually having to cook them for hours on end.
You can also use it on chicken, pork, beef fillets, scallops, shrimp or veggies to get a delicious meal.
Lambert’s Sweet Rub O’ Mine Pulled Pork Rub
If you’re looking for an award-winning pulled pork rub, look no further than Lambert’s Sweet Rub O’ Mine.
This dry rub was perfected by three-time world champion BBQ pitmaster Mark Lambert, and it’s been known to take home the top prize in pork shoulder competitions. It contains the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, resulting in some of the most delicious pulled pork you’ve ever tasted.
So next time you’re firing up the grill or smoker, be sure to include Lambert’s Sweet Rub O’ Mine.
Texas Style Pork BBQ Rub by RubWise
RubWise is a company that produces authentic Texas style rubs. Their team has experience in making spice rubs for championship cook-offs winners throughout Texas.
The Texas Style Pork BBQ Rub is one of their most popular blends. It has a robust and full flavor, with no heat. This rub is perfect for seasoning pork cuts, but can also be used for steaks, burgers, and potatoes.
It’s made in the USA with all seasonings manufactured and packed on-site daily to guarantee freshness.
Pit Boss Pulled Pork Rub
Pit Boss is one of the most popular rubs for pulled pork. It is a sweet and smoky mix that gives your pork that perfect flavor every time.
If you are looking to buy a rub for your pulled pork, Pit Boss is definitely a good option. It is affordable and easy to find, and it will give your pork that delicious flavor you are looking for.
McCormick Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Seasoning
McCormick Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Seasoning is a sweet and tangy blend of brown sugar, garlic and chili pepper.
This authentic Texas-inspired seasoning is perfect for grilling or smoking pork shoulder. The convenient seasoning blend is made with McCormick Spices, and can be used in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Porkosaurus World Championship BBQ Rub
The Porkosaurus World Championship BBQ Rub is a great choice for anyone looking for an amazing Memphis-style rub.
This rub contains little sugar, so it doesn’t produce the dark caramelization effect on ribs that some people don’t like. It’s also gluten free, MSG free, and has no high fructose corn syrup. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a healthy BBQ option.
The rub is also versatile, working great on beef brisket, grilled steak, and salmon. The Porkosaurus World Championship BBQ Rub is a must-try for any BBQ lover.
Bad Byron’s Butt Rub Barbeque Seasoning BBQ Rubs
Bad Byron’s Butt Rub Barbeque Seasoning BBQ Rubs is a balanced blend of onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and chipotle (smoked jalapeno) that gives your food outdoor flavor at its finest.
This all-purpose seasoning is great for championship barbequers, professional chefs, and backyard cooks everywhere.
Meat Church Holy Gospel BBQ Rub
Meat Church Holy Gospel BBQ Rub is one of the best rubs on the market. It’s gluten free and MSG free, making it ideal for any type of meat.
This BBQ rub is perfect rib rub but also works well for smoked pulled pork, chicken, and beef, and will give your food a smokey, delicious flavor.
How To Choose The Best Pulled Pork Rubs
There are a few considerations when choosing the best pulled pork rub. Here’s the primary ones to think about.
The first consideration is what type of meat you will be using the rub on. Pork is a popular choice for pulled pork rub, but you can also use it on beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey.
Consider what type of pork cut you’ll be using and what fat content it has. A lot of good rubs can also be used on ribs, brisket, and more.
The next consideration is the flavor profile you are looking for. Do you want a sweet or savory rub? There are many variations of both types of rubs available on the market.
Another factor to consider is the spiciness of the rub. If you want a kick in your dish, make sure to choose a rub with some heat.
Finally, you’ll want to think about the ingredients in the rub. Some people prefer all natural ingredients, while others don’t mind if there are artificial flavors and preservatives.
FAQs about Pulled Pork Rubs
Here are some frequently asked questions about pulled pork rubs.
Should I dry rub pulled pork overnight?
You could dry rub the pulled pork overnight but if you are short on time, it is not necessary to do so. Just remember that the longer your rub sits with your meat before cooking, the more flavorful your pulled pork will be – don’t skip this step altogether.
How long can you leave a dry rub on pork?
You can leave a dry rub on pork anywhere from overnight to up to 3 days. The longer it is left on, the more intense the flavor will be. The main limit is food safety considerations.
What seasonings go well with pork?
Pork is a very versatile meat and can be paired with a wide variety of seasonings. Some of the most popular pork seasonings include: sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion, black pepper, cumin and chili powder. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor combination.
How do you season pulled pork after cooking?
Try creating a well-seasoned BBQ sauce to rub on after cooking. You can also season sides or lighten your rub to create a “dusting” for the meat that gives it a kick without overwhelming the cooked meat.
Next Steps
So, you’ve decided to make some pulled pork. Good choice! Pork is a great meat for smoking or grilling, and it’s especially delicious when cooked low and slow.
The only problem is, what rub should you use? There are so many different options out there, it can be hard to know where to start. There’s definitely a traditional taste that we’ve included here, but don’t forget about international BBQ options like jerk sauce or Korean flavors.
We hope one of the options above fits your taste – but also view them as a convenient jumping off point to make your own! Continue to build with great toppings and moist meat on a great bun or by itself paired with great sides.