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BBQ Meat Rubs & Sauces

BBQ Rubs & Sauces - Authentic Flavour for Outdoor Cooking

Transform your BBQ cooking with our range of premium rubs, sauces, and seasonings. From hot and spicy additions to subtle garlic flavourings, we stock everything you need to create restaurant-quality BBQ at home. Our rubs (dry marinades) and sauces bring authentic flavour to beef, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables.

Browse classic American BBQ rubs, Kansas City style sauces, Carolina mustard sauces, Texas-style seasonings, and specialist rubs for specific meats. All designed to enhance natural flavours and create the perfect crust, bark, or glaze on your BBQ creations.

Big Green Egg Blend Big Green Egg
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Big Green Egg Blend

Big Green Egg
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Big Green Egg rubs are handmade in the UK in small batches using only the highest-quality ingredients. Both are versatile all-rounders, crafted to ...

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BBQ Rub Types & Flavour Profiles

All-Purpose BBQ Rubs

Versatile seasoning blends suitable for beef, pork, chicken, and vegetables. Balanced flavour profiles with salt, sugar, paprika, garlic, and black pepper as foundations. Perfect for beginners or those who want one rub for everything. All-purpose rubs create consistent results across different meats and cooking methods.

Beef Rubs

Coarse black pepper and garlic dominate beef rubs, allowing the natural beef flavour to shine. Texas-style brisket rubs keep it simple with salt and pepper ("Dalmatian rub"), whilst competition rubs add paprika, onion powder, and cayenne. Designed for steaks, brisket, beef ribs, and burgers.

Pork Rubs

Sweet rubs featuring brown sugar, paprika, and warm spices like cinnamon and cumin. The sugar caramelises during cooking, creating beautiful bark on ribs and pulled pork. Memphis-style rubs balance sweet and savoury, whilst Kansas City rubs lean sweeter. Perfect for pork shoulder, ribs, and chops.

Chicken & Poultry Rubs

Lighter, herb-based rubs with citrus notes, garlic, and paprika. Less aggressive than beef or pork rubs to complement delicate poultry flavours. Often include lemon pepper, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Suitable for whole chickens, wings, thighs, and turkey.

Fish & Seafood Rubs

Delicate herb and citrus blends designed for fish and seafood. Feature dill, lemon, garlic, and light spices without overpowering natural flavours. Less salt than meat rubs. Perfect for salmon, sea bass, prawns, and scallops on the BBQ.

BBQ Sauce Styles Explained

Kansas City Style

Thick, sweet, tomato-based sauce with molasses and brown sugar. The most popular American BBQ sauce style. Rich, sticky consistency perfect for ribs, chicken, and pulled pork. Apply during final 15-30 minutes of cooking to prevent burning.

Carolina Style

Vinegar-based (Eastern Carolina) or mustard-based (South Carolina) thin sauces. Tangy, less sweet than Kansas City style. Vinegar sauces cut through rich pork fat, whilst mustard sauces add sharp, complex flavour. Traditional for pulled pork and whole hog BBQ.

Texas Style

Thin, spicy, tomato-based sauce with less sugar than Kansas City style. Often includes chilli powder, cumin, and black pepper. Designed to complement beef brisket without overpowering smoke and meat flavours. Some Texas pitmasters use no sauce at all.

Memphis Style

Tomato and vinegar blend - thinner than Kansas City, sweeter than Carolina. Balanced flavour profile works with pork ribs and shoulders. Memphis BBQ is often served "dry" (rub only) with sauce on the side, allowing diners to choose.

How to Use BBQ Rubs & Sauces

Applying Rubs

Timing: Apply 30 minutes to overnight before cooking. Longer times allow better flavour penetration.

Technique: Pat meat dry, apply oil if desired (helps rub adhere), sprinkle rub generously over all surfaces, and pat in gently. Don't rub aggressively - this can damage meat fibres.

Amount: Use more rub on large cuts like brisket and pork shoulder. Lighter application on delicate meats like fish and chicken.

Applying Sauces

Timing: Apply during final 15-30 minutes of cooking only. Sugar in sauces burns at high temperatures.

Technique: Brush thin layers, allowing each coat to set before adding more. Build up glaze gradually for best results.

Serving: Always serve extra sauce on the side. Some prefer dry BBQ with sauce for dipping.

BBQ Rub & Sauce Pairing Guide

Beef Brisket: Simple salt and pepper rub. Sauce optional - Texas style if used.

Pork Ribs: Sweet pork rub with Kansas City or Memphis style sauce.

Pulled Pork: Sweet pork rub with Carolina vinegar or mustard sauce.

Chicken: Herb and citrus rub with Kansas City or Alabama white sauce.

Salmon: Light fish rub with no sauce or light glaze.

Shop BBQ Products

Buy BBQ Rubs & Sauces Online with UK Delivery

Shop our range of BBQ rubs and sauces online with UK delivery. Browse American BBQ rubs, regional sauce styles, and specialist seasonings with detailed flavour profiles, ingredient lists, and usage instructions. Compare rub types to find the perfect seasoning for your BBQ style and favourite meats.

For local customers in Berkshire, Bracknell, Ascot, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead, and Reading, we offer showroom collection and local delivery. Visit our Berkshire showroom at Oaktree Garden Centre to browse our complete range of BBQ rubs and sauces. Our specialists can advise on flavour profiles, recommend rubs for specific meats, suggest sauce pairings, and explain regional BBQ styles.

All BBQ rubs and sauces are designed to enhance outdoor cooking and create authentic BBQ flavours. Shop online for convenient nationwide delivery, or visit our Berkshire showroom for expert advice and flavour recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions*

What are BBQ rubs and how do I use them?
BBQ rubs are dry seasoning blends applied to meat before cooking. They typically contain salt, sugar, spices, and herbs that create flavourful crusts and enhance natural meat flavours. Apply generously to all surfaces, pat in gently, and let sit for 30 minutes to overnight before cooking. Rubs work on beef, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables.
What's the difference between BBQ rubs and marinades?
BBQ rubs are dry seasoning blends applied directly to meat surfaces, creating flavourful crusts during cooking. Marinades are liquid mixtures (oil, acid, spices) that meat soaks in for hours to tenderise and flavour. Rubs are quicker and create better bark and crust, whilst marinades penetrate deeper but can prevent crust formation.
What types of BBQ rubs do you stock?
We stock all-purpose rubs (suitable for any meat), beef rubs (coarse black pepper and garlic), pork rubs (sweet with brown sugar and paprika), chicken rubs (herbs and citrus), rib rubs (sweet and spicy), and fish rubs (lighter, herb-based). Also specialist rubs for brisket, pulled pork, and competition-style BBQ.
What BBQ sauce styles are available?
We stock Kansas City style (thick, sweet, tomato-based), Carolina style (vinegar or mustard-based, tangy), Texas style (thin, spicy, less sweet), Memphis style (tomato and vinegar blend), and Alabama white sauce (mayonnaise-based for chicken). Each style suits different meats and regional BBQ traditions.
When should I apply BBQ sauce?
Apply BBQ sauce during the last 15-30 minutes of cooking to prevent burning from sugar content. For low-and-slow cooking, apply in layers during the final hour, allowing each coat to set before adding more. Never apply sauce at the start - the sugars will burn and create bitter flavours. Serve extra sauce on the side.
How long can I leave rub on meat before cooking?
Minimum 30 minutes for flavour absorption. For best results, apply rub 2-4 hours before cooking and refrigerate. Overnight (8-12 hours) works excellently for large cuts like brisket or pork shoulder. The salt in rubs draws moisture out then back in, creating better flavour penetration and texture.
Can I make my own BBQ rubs?
Yes, homemade rubs are easy to make. Basic rub formula: equal parts salt and sugar, plus paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Adjust ratios and add cayenne, cumin, mustard powder, or herbs to taste. Store in airtight containers away from light and heat. Homemade rubs last 6 months.
What's the best rub for brisket?
Texas-style brisket rubs feature coarse black pepper and garlic as primary flavours, with salt and minimal other spices. The simple seasoning allows the beef and smoke flavours to shine. Apply generously - brisket's large surface area needs substantial seasoning. Some pitmasters use only salt and pepper ("Dalmatian rub").
How do I store BBQ rubs and sauces?
Store unopened rubs in a cool, dark, dry location. Once opened, keep in airtight containers away from heat and moisture - spices lose potency when exposed to air and light. Rubs last 6-12 months. Unopened sauces last 1-2 years. Once opened, refrigerate sauces and use within 3-6 months.
Are BBQ rubs suitable for vegetables?
Yes, BBQ rubs work excellently on vegetables. Try rubs on corn, peppers, courgettes, aubergines, mushrooms, and halloumi. Use lighter application than meat - vegetables have more delicate flavours. Herb-based and garlic rubs work particularly well. Brush vegetables with oil before applying rub to help it adhere.
What's the difference between sweet and savoury rubs?
Sweet rubs contain brown sugar, white sugar, or honey powder, creating caramelised crusts and balancing spicy heat. Perfect for pork ribs and chicken. Savoury rubs focus on salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs without sugar, allowing meat flavours to dominate. Ideal for beef brisket and steaks. Choose based on personal preference and meat type.
Can I buy BBQ rubs and sauces online with UK delivery?
Yes, shop our range of BBQ rubs and sauces online with UK delivery. Browse American BBQ rubs, regional sauce styles, and specialist seasonings with detailed flavour profiles and usage instructions. For local customers in Berkshire, Bracknell, Ascot, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead, and Reading, we also offer showroom collection and local delivery.
Where can I buy BBQ rubs and sauces in person?
Visit our Berkshire showroom at Oaktree Garden Centre to browse our complete range of BBQ rubs and sauces. Our specialists can advise on flavour profiles, recommend rubs for specific meats, and suggest sauce pairings. Convenient for customers in Bracknell, Ascot, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead, Reading, and surrounding areas.

*These FAQs provide general guidance. Always follow the specific product manual and manufacturer instructions for safety, assembly, and operation. Manufacturer guidelines take precedence.

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