Serious grill enthusiasts like to experiment with their own rubs and seasonings to spice up favorite meats and vegetables. Culinary artistry at the grill knows no limits. But for tried and true results, most backyard chefs also keep a stock of ready-made favorites on hand. After all, no one ever knows when a party is waiting in the wings.
Add these crowd-pleasing favorites to your pantry for times when you’re feeling less than inventive; or boost your reputation by repeating a menu that consistently wins you raves. Fire up the grill, assemble the ingredients, get down to the serious business of grilling, and just wait for the compliments. Here are our top five picks for grill seasonings:
Pappy’s Choice Seasoning
This is one fine all-purpose powder. It adds just the right bite to beef, chicken, fish and vegetables. Use it also to add flavor to soups and stews, sprinkle over eggs and salads, and make amazing Bloody Mary’s. It’s nice to have on hand in the 32-ounce professional size, and even at that you might want to order two at a time. Low-salt and salt-free recipes are also available.
Fresh Jax Premium Gourmet Spices and Seasonings
We love this line of products because of its family farm and farmers market roots. Five and eight-bottle gift packs are available, offering lots of indoor cooking options as well. All rubs and spice combos are certified organic, gluten-free, kosher and contain no GMOs or preservatives. Sample the Rosy Cheeks BBQ rub, Smoked Cherrywood Sea Salt and Campfire blend as a start. You’ll return to try other products.
Killer Bee Honey Rub
Kosmos Dry Rub is an award-winner. Sprinkle or slather this sweet and savory combo on everything from steak and wings to burgers and fries. The honey adds another layer of goodness to the robust mix of more familiar barbecue seasonings. This company, founded in 2008, has built its reputation on goodness combined with innovation, and its products just keep winning awards and attracting loyal followers.
Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning
Okay, we admit it was the name that first got us, but then the taste sold us and kept us coming back for more. The “not-so-traditional” blend is available in 8-ounce tins in both original and hot recipes. For a slightly different heat, try the white pepper blend. There are a dozen different ways to use these seasonings, from steaks and chops to shrimp and fresh-caught fish. Or try them for grilled veggies, movie night popcorn and breakfast eggs.
Traeger Meat Rubs
Traeger has six flavors of its rub, but we lean toward the beef seasoning, which puts the right tough on your steaks, briskets and even burgers. The rub is kosher, gluten-free and GMO-free so feel free to try it on your vegetables as well as your proteins.
