- Flavor Profile: 4-1-5-2
- Blend Characteristics: Fine grind with lots of visible pepper; lighter color
It was a sad day for BBQ and grilling aficionados when the final run of SPOGOS seasoning flew off the shelves last winter.
Ever since Oakridge BBQ announced they were ceasing operations, we’ve been scratching our heads and wondering how to adjust our flavor profiles without this KILLER all-purpose seasoning in our arsenal.
We’ll be the first to tell you that there really isn’t anything exactly like SPOGOS. But fear not, fellow fans of Salt, Pepper, Onion, Garlic & Other Spices, we’ve come up with 5 alternates that share a similar flavor profile.
While these seasonings aren’t exactly like SPOGOS, they each have similar magical properties that will work wonders for your meat.
RIO VALLEY MEAT - BLANCO
Rio Valley Meat’s BLANCO has become a new favorite in our home kitchen and a key ingredient when we do steak competitions. It is just a tad less sweet and a bit more savory than SPOGOS, but make no mistake, it’s a refined and special seasoning.
- Flavor Profile: 4-2-4-3
- Blend Characteristics: More “white” than SPOGOS; fine grind
DB180 - ALL PURPOSE
DB180’S ALL PURPOSE has the exact flavor profile as SPOGOS, although the flavor combo lands a little differently. The salty savory punch is nice along with a creamy buttery quality.
- Flavor Profile: 4-2-4-2
- Blend Characteristics: Range of textures with specks of parsley and other herbs
MELISSA COOKSTON - LUCKY 7
LUCKY 7 from Melissa Cookston is very similar to the profile of SPOGOS, with the addition of herbs that give it a bit of a “fresh” vibe.
- Flavor Profile: 4-2-4-3
- Blend Characteristics: Medium grind with chunky salt and pepper
CRAIG’S - APS ALL PURPOSE SEASONING
Craig’s APS ALL PURPOSE SEASONING also has the exact same flavor profile of SPOGOS, but it delivers a buttery blast and a bit of extra “oomph.”
- Flavor Profile: 4-2-4-2
- Blend Characteristics: Fine grind with lots of visible pepper; lighter color
FERGOLICIOUS BBQ - SPG LUV
Fergolicious BBQ’s SPG LUV is a bit brighter than SPOGOS, thanks to a slight lemon-citrus tang. It’s a great all-purpose blend for grilling, stovetop cooking and BBQ.
OTHER ALL PURPOSE FAVORITES
If you want to kick it up a notch from the signature SPOGOS flavor profile, check out All Q’ued Up’s STATELINE BOLD or Pit O’ Heaven’s RIBEYE RANCH KICKIN’ PITGRIT, both of which add a bit of jalapeno pop.
Then there’s Pork Mafia’s GREEK MAFIA, which adds some citrusy goodness and bumps up the saltiness. The oregano flavors add flavor complexity without coming across as overly “Greek.”
We know it’s hard to imagine a life without SPOGOS, but fortunately BBQ Pro Shop has a whole world of flavors to fill that void. Check out the BBQ PRO SHOP FACTORY TEAM FLAVOR GUIDE for more on our flavor ratings, usage tips and flavor notes.
Ms. Freak is head cook of Smoke Freaks, the BBQ Pro Shop Factory Team. She and her partner, Mr. Freak, are the tongues and testers behind the FACTORY TEAM FLAVOR GUIDE.