Game rubs are seasonings for lean, strong-flavoured meat like venison, kangaroo, wild boar, goat and lamb, mostly built on pepper, herbs, garlic and coffee rather than heavy sugar. Our game range includes Butchers Axe, Rum and Que, Low N Slow Basics, Hardcore Carnivore and Stef the Maori, plus an injection for lamb and game and a redcurrant jelly for gravy. Flat $10 shipping Australia-wide.
Which game rub should I buy?
| Product | Maker | Style / heat | Best on |
| Hunter Lamb and Game Rub | Butchers Axe | Herby, with coffee / cool as (0/11) | Lamb shoulder, venison, game |
| Ram Rod Game Rub | Rum and Que | Garlic and thyme / mild (1/11) | Lamb, venison, wild meat |
| Lamb Layup Rub | Low N Slow Basics | Sumac and herb / mild (1/11) | Lamb racks, venison, rabbit |
| Game On Rub | Smoky Pastures | Middle Eastern-style / mild (1/11) | Lamb, kangaroo, game |
| Camo Rub | Hardcore Carnivore | Hickory, honey and vinegar / cool as (0/11) | Venison, lamb, pork |
| Deep Bush Savoury with Horopito | Stef the Maori | Native horopito / mild (3/11) | Lamb, venison, roast spuds |
| Stockman CRUST Espresso Beef Rub | Outlaw Barbecue | Espresso rub / cool as (0/11) | Brisket, steak, game |
| Black Gold | BBQ Lab | Coffee and peanut butter / mild (2/11) | Steak, lamb, venison |
| The Porter Beer Rub | Rum and Que | Malt and cocoa / mild (1/11) | Beef, lamb, venison |
| The Game Changer Poultry & Game | Heavenly Hell | Herb and garlic / cool as (0/11) | Roast chook, turkey, duck, venison |
| Lamb Injection | Butchers Axe | Savoury injection / cool as (0/11) | Lamb shoulder, leg, wild game |
| Rich Redcurrant Jelly | Tracklements | Tart fruit jelly / cool as (0/11) | Game gravy, roast lamb, venison |
How to cook game meat
- Lean game like kangaroo and venison backstrap dries out fast. Cook it hot and quick to rare or medium-rare, then rest it.
- Tougher cuts like shoulder, shanks and wild boar want low and slow, braised or smoked, until tender.
- Oil the meat, not the grill, so the rub sticks and the lean surface doesn't.
- Coffee and pepper rubs build a dark crust that suits venison and kangaroo. Herb rubs suit lamb and goat.
- Every product page shows its Hub Heat rating out of 11.
What rub goes with kangaroo?
Kangaroo is very lean with a rich, slightly mineral taste. Smoky Pastures' Game On Rub lists kangaroo by name, and a coffee rub like Outlaw Barbecue's Stockman CRUST or BBQ Lab's Black Gold gives a dark crust in a short, hot cook. Keep it rare to medium-rare and slice it thin across the grain. John Henrys' Texas Brisket Rub, Smokes Seasoning's Brisket Black and Butcher BBQ's Grilling Addiction also list game among their uses.
Allergen and dietary notes
BBQ Lab's Black Gold contains peanuts and mustard, Butchers Axe's Hunter rub contains MSG, Low N Slow Basics' Lamb Layup contains gluten and Smokes Seasoning's Brisket Black contains soy. Hardcore Carnivore's Camo and Smoky Pastures' Game On are tagged no added MSG. Check the ingredient list on each product page; recipes can change.
More for red meat: venison, lamb, beef, steak and injections and brines. Game specialists: Butchers Axe and Rum and Que.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy game meat rubs in Australia?
The Rub Hub stocks rubs for venison, kangaroo, lamb and wild game from Butchers Axe, Rum and Que, Low N Slow Basics, Smoky Pastures and more, and ships Australia-wide for a flat $10.
What seasoning goes with venison?
Venison suits black pepper, garlic, herbs like thyme and rosemary, and coffee. Try a herb-led game rub such as Rum and Que's Ram Rod or a coffee rub such as BBQ Lab's Black Gold, and cook backstrap to medium-rare.
How do you stop kangaroo drying out?
Cook kangaroo fast over high heat to rare or medium-rare, rest it for a few minutes and slice it thin across the grain. It has very little fat, so cooking it past medium makes it tough and dry.
Can you use a lamb rub on game meat?
Yes. Lamb and game rubs overlap a lot because both meats are strong-flavoured. Butchers Axe's Hunter Lamb and Game Rub and Low N Slow Basics' Lamb Layup are both made for lamb and venison.
How do you reduce the gamey taste of wild meat?
Trim away silverskin and excess fat, and use a rub with strong savoury, herb or coffee notes. Hardcore Carnivore's Camo Rub, with hickory smoke, honey and vinegar, is made to tame gaminess.