Make your own BBQ rub or buy it? An honest comparison
Making your own BBQ rub and buying a blend can both be good choices. Mixing your own gives you room to experiment; a ready-made blend saves weighing and mixing individual ingredients. The best fit depends on your spice cupboard, taste, dietary needs and consumption.
Want to start mixing? See our guide to making BBQ rub for a basic recipe and practical advice.
Making your own: what do you need?
The number of ingredients depends on the recipe. For a simple paprika rub, you could use smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, cumin, salt and pepper, with optional cayenne. This is an example for home mixing, not our product recipe.
With a scale and a clean, dry bowl, you can make a small test batch. Record the quantities to adjust or repeat the flavour later. Check every ingredient label and account for salt and sugar in the finished dish.
Compare costs fairly
Buying full spice jars is not the same as the cost of one batch of rub. You can use the remainder in other dishes, but only if you actually use that stock.
For home mixing, calculate the cost of the amount used of each ingredient and add them together. Compare that with the current price of an equal amount of ready-made rub, for example per 100 g. Include shipping charges and unused stock. A cost per portion without defining the portion is not a fair comparison.
Homemade is not automatically cheaper or more expensive. Your stock, purchase prices, recipe and consumption determine the difference.
Home mixing and buying side by side
| Topic | Make your own | The Rub Kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Calculate ingredients used and stock left over | Compare current product price, contents and any shipping charges |
| Time | Select, weigh and mix ingredients | No individual ingredients to weigh; ordering and preparing the dish still take time |
| Flavour | Choose and adjust your own proportions | Choose an existing profile and dose to suit the dish |
| Mixing | When you mix it yourself; quality also depends on ingredients | Blended to order |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check individual packs and prevent cross-contact while mixing | Check the chosen variant and current label |
| Storage | Follow ingredient guidance and keep the mix dry and sealed | Follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack |
When does making your own suit you?
- You enjoy experimenting and want to set your own proportions.
- You already have suitable spices that you use regularly.
- You want to adjust a recipe, for example with less salt or no added sugar. Check individual ingredients; home mixing does not automatically guarantee suitability for an allergy.
- You want small test batches before making more stock.
When does buying suit you?
- You want an existing flavour profile without weighing individual ingredients.
- You want to try different blends and choose for each dish.
- You would rather spend preparation time on meat, vegetables and accompaniments.
Our rubs are blended to order. The spices come from Kerala, India; that is not automatically the origin of salt, sugar and other ingredients. Blending to order does not mean every ingredient is freshly ground for every order.
Ingredients, allergens and shelf life
For home mixing, check every individual label. When buying, check the chosen variant for full ingredients, dosage, allergens and possible cross-contact information. Sauces, bread and accompaniments count too. A dietary preference is not a reason to assume every spice blend is suitable.
Keep dry, well sealed and away from heat and steam. Use clean, dry utensils and keep stock free of raw meat juices. Mixing or transferring does not extend the ingredients’ shelf life. A blanket twelve-month guarantee does not suit every mix and storage condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is making your own BBQ rub cheaper?
It depends on ingredient prices, stock and consumption. Compare the cost of ingredients actually used with the same amount of ready-made rub and include any shipping charges.
What do you need to make a rub?
A suitable recipe, your chosen dry ingredients, a scale and clean, dry mixing and storage equipment. Start small and record your proportions.
When is ready-made rub useful?
When you want an existing flavour profile without weighing individual ingredients. Select the variant by flavour, ingredients and allergens and dose according to the current pack.
More about BBQ spices
Recipes to get started
Choosing and dosing
Starter Pack with three bags of your choice · Explore the rubs. Check shipping charges for your destination at checkout.