Carolina Gold BBQ Rub — all you need to know
Carolina Gold BBQ Rub is our mustard-led dry rub, inspired by South Carolina's mustard BBQ tradition. Mustard powder, turmeric and brown sugar give the blend a warm colour and a savoury, lightly sweet flavour. Cayenne pepper adds heat.
Flavour profile and ingredients
Carolina Gold contains mustard powder, fine sea salt, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, ginger, cayenne pepper and turmeric.
Mustard gives the blend its character, brown sugar adds sweetness and turmeric contributes to the yellow colour. Garlic, onion and the other spices bring savoury depth. The final colour and crust also depend on how much rub you use, the dish and the cooking method.
Contains mustard. Check the current packaging for the full ingredients, allergens and seasoning guidance. Also consider any sauces, binders and side dishes you add yourself.
Read more about the Carolina BBQ tradition on Wikipedia.
What can you use Carolina Gold for?
- Pulled pork: mustard flavour pairs well with slow-cooked pork.
- Chicken: try the rub on thighs or wings and watch the colour as they cook.
- Salmon: start with a thin layer so the flavour of the fish remains recognisable.
- Vegetables: for example, cauliflower, courgettes and peppers.
How hot your dish tastes depends on the amount of rub and what else you add. We blend the rub to order.
Order Carolina Gold BBQ Rub · 3-Evening Pack: three rubs of your choice
How much rub to use
Follow the seasoning guidance on the current packaging. Spread the rub evenly and consider its salt, sugar and heat if you also use a sauce or other seasonings.
For raw meat, put a separate working portion of rub in a small bowl first. Keep the rest clean and dry. If seasoning ahead, keep the meat covered in the fridge until cooking.
Cooking tips
- A thin layer of oil or yellow mustard as a binder is optional. Prepared mustard is a separate addition; check its ingredients and allergens too.
- Apple wood is an option if you want to add a mild smoky flavour.
- Watch the heat: sugar and spices can burn. The rub does not guarantee a particular crust colour or tenderness.
- For pulled pork, decide whether to wrap based on the bark and your cooking method, not just the colour of the rub.
Curious about the origins of this mustard style? Read the history, origins and traditions of Carolina Gold BBQ.
Recipes with Carolina Gold
Carolina Gold pulled pork with mustard dry rub
Carolina Gold BBQ chicken
Order Carolina Gold BBQ Rub
We blend our rubs to order. The spices come from Kerala, India; Carolina Gold refers to the culinary inspiration.
Explore Carolina Gold BBQ Rub · Discover more flavours with the Starter Pack
Learn more about BBQ herbs and spices
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Making your own BBQ seasoning
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