We are so thankful that 2024 was another great year for flavor!
This is our brand new, updated list for 2024, created after our taste tests of products coming into the BBQ Pro Shop catalog throughout the year. All that testing for the FACTORY TEAM FLAVOR GUIDE helps you find the ideal levels of salt, sweet, savory and heat to match your cooking style.
We saw a lot of flavor this year and these ones really blew us away!
The 4 Queens from Aces Wild is so much more than a salt-pepper-garlic rub. The black pepper alone is money. The garlic savories are terrific. But it’s the celery that puts this over the top. We absolutely loved this seasoning in every format we tested it in.
Flavor Profile: 2-1-4-4
Blend Characteristics: Range of textures with chunky bits of cracked black pepper
Blazing Star’s Beef Rub is big and bold and chock full of coarse black pepper and incredibly beefy flavors. The black pepper warmth leaves a fantastic sting, but stays completely palatable. The overall effect is a wild flavor ride – totally unique and deliciously complex.
Flavor Profile: 3-1-4-3
Blend Characteristics: Varying texture and size, including lots of flavorful coarse black pepper
BOARS NIGHT OUT - SOUTHERN THUNDER
The eagerly awaited Southern Thunder is another winning flavor from Boars Night Out. The savory flavors mix with bold salt against a big smoky backdrop. Southern Thunder doesn’t really remind us of any other rub – tastes intriguing and unique.
Flavor Profile: 3-1-3-3
Blend Characteristics: Medium grind; really nice color
Duce’s Wild Poultry Rub has become a new favorite and a go-to for Thanksgiving turkey. The flavors are distinctively refined and elegant, so simple yet so delicious. I’m a big fan of the touch of herbs that adds a bit of freshness.
Flavor Profile: 3-2-4-2
Blend Characteristics: Range of textures with bits of dried herbs
Sweet Chipotle from Hotty Totty is a balanced and delicious masterpiece, with a BBQ kick that builds with every bite. The overall effect is vaguely smokey, exotic and outstanding in all the formats we tested it in. Beautiful color, too.
Flavor Profile: 3-3-3-4
Blend Characteristics: Medium grind with plenty of granulated honey and little flecks of chipotle
MAN MEAT BBQ - SOUTHERN STYLE HONEY PECAN RUB
The name Southern Style Honey Pecan Rub from Man Meat BBQ describes all the incredible flavors along with a subtle garlic and onion savory vibe in the background. This blend is one of those rare rubs that make you wonder how you ever survived before finding it.
Flavor Profile: 3-4-3-2
Blend Characteristics: This fine to-medium-blend imparts a lovely color; dry honey is a key ingredient
Mr. Freak says it best: “Hog Toss from M/W Smokers is a mellow, well-balanced blend that does its job perfectly, without calling undue attention to itself. If it were a beer, it'd be that easy-drinking lager or classic yet unassuming ale that you reach for time and time again because it never lets you down.”
Flavor Profile: 3-3-3-2
Blend Characteristics: Range of textures with chunky turbinado sugar and paprika for incredible color
PIT O’ HEAVEN - BACON BUTTER GARLIC PITGRIT
Pit O’ Heaven’s Bacon Butter Garlic PitGrit dazzles with garlic and onion savories, but it’s the bacon and buttery qualities that make this one so special. It’s delicious without being in your face and complements grilled foods brilliantly. Try it on baked potatoes, garlic bread, popcorn, veggies and more!
Flavor Profile: 3-1-4-3
Blend Characteristics: Fine blend; lighter color with flecks of black pepper and spices
Black Gold from Texas Oil Dust is a gusher of flavor, and there’s nothing subtle about it. This blend is pretty unique and very tasty. Perfect for big beefy cuts from brisket to tri-tip to a big ol’ tomahawk ribeye. Also quite good on pork and chicken.
Flavor Profile: 4-1-3-4
Blend Characteristics: Moderately coarse with cracked black pepper for a nice peppery bite
THREE LITTLE PIGS - SPICY HONEY & MAPLE
Wow, what a wild flavor ride that is Spicy Honey & Maple from Three Little Pigs. Sweet, salt and heat all hit at the same time, followed ever so closely with savory garlic and onion. The sweetness meets a jalapeno sting that’s sharp and spicy - and spectacular.
Flavor Profile: 2-4-3-4
Blend Characteristics: Medium grind; very visually interesting with varied bits and crystals
“Insanely delicious” was my first thought when we tested Midnight Run for our Flavor Guide. This blend from Twisted Steel is all about rich beefy flavors and a thick wave of black pepper. Coffee adds complexity and a bit of earthiness. Truly outstanding.
Flavor Profile: 4-1-4-3
Blend Characteristics: On the finer side with flecks of black pepper and coffee
YOUR BEHIND BBQ - HOT HONEY GARLIC RUB
Hot Honey Garlic Rub from Your Behind BBQ is a game changer on pork, poultry and seafood. The name captures all the flavors, and I find the heat to be a bit complex: both subtle and full of flavor at the same time. Fantastically good when smoking pork shoulder low and slow.
Flavor Profile: 2-4-3-4
Blend Characteristics: Pale color; fine grind with sugars that caramelize nicely on the grill
Tell us your own essential seasoning picks at FACTORYTEAM@BBQPROSHOP.COM.
And check out the FLAVOR GUIDE for more of our flavor ratings, usage tips and flavor notes.
Check out our broadcast where we announced our 2024 Essential Seasonings List on YouTube!
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.