Medium heat sits at 4 to 6 on our Hub Heat scale: a real chilli warmth that builds over a few bites, while the smoke, sugar and garlic still come through. This page gathers medium rubs, BBQ sauces, hot sauces, chilli oils, curry pastes and chutneys from Australian, Kiwi and US makers like DC Cartel, Coast N Smoke, Heavenly Hell, Mudgeeraba Spices and Hardcore Carnivore. Flat $10 shipping Australia-wide.
Which medium heat rub or sauce should I buy?
| Product | Maker | Style / heat | Best on |
| The Original 1983 Crispy Chilli Oil | DC Cartel | Crispy chilli oil / medium (5/11) | Eggs, noodles, dumplings |
| Chilli Lime (Meatchelada) Rub | Hardcore Carnivore | Chilli and lime rub / medium (4/11) | Tacos, fajitas, wings |
| South West Rub | Coast N Smoke | BBQ rub / medium (4/11) | Beef, brisket, pork ribs |
| Jalapeno & Peach Hot Sauce | Fancy Hank's | Fruity hot sauce / medium (5/11) | Pork sausages, grilled chicken, fish tacos |
| Asian Spice BBQ Rub | Smokes Seasoning | Char siu-style rub / medium (5/11) | Pork ribs, wings, stir-fries |
| The Black Rub | Four Saucemen | Dark beef rub / medium (5/11) | Brisket, beef ribs, steak |
| Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce | Butchers Axe | Sweet-heat BBQ sauce / medium (5/11) | Ribs, wings, burgers |
| Pinch Dat Tail Suck Dat Head Cajun Rub | Heavenly Hell | Cajun rub / medium (5/11) | Seafood, prawns, chicken |
| Spicy White Lightning | Boars Night Out | Garlic seasoning with heat / medium (5/11) | Wings, steak, seafood |
| Moroccan Harissa Paste | Flavour & Spice | Chilli and garlic paste / medium (5/11) | Lamb, chicken, roasted veg |
| Holy Voodoo | Meat Church | Cajun-inspired seasoning / medium (4/11) | Poultry, ribs, smoked turkey |
| Spicy Bourbon BBQ Sauce | Croix Valley | Spicy BBQ sauce / medium (5/11) | Pork ribs, wings, burgers |
How to use medium heat
- Medium rubs can go on thick. The heat spreads out over a big cut like brisket or a pork shoulder, so season as you normally would.
- On wings and thin cuts the chilli is closer to every bite. Start lighter and add more at the table.
- Sweet-heat sauces carry sugar, so brush them on in the last 15 to 20 minutes of the cook to stop them scorching.
- Chilli oil and hot sauce are finishers. Spoon them over eggs, noodles or tacos once the food is off the heat.
- Every product page shows its Hub Heat rating out of 11.
Medium vs mild vs hot
On Hub Heat, mild is 1 to 3: a gentle warmth most of the table will handle. Medium is 4 to 6, where you can taste the chilli and feel it build. Hot is 7 to 8 and extreme is 9 to 11, where the heat leads the flavour. If you are cooking for a mixed crowd, a medium rub on the meat with a hotter sauce on the side lets everyone set their own level.
Medium curry pastes, chutneys and sauces
Medium is not only rubs. Mudgeeraba Spices make a run of medium curry pastes (Madras, Durban, Agra, Lamb Korma, Chicken Tikka) plus Sri Lankan chutneys and a Sambal Kachang satay sauce. Cobra Chilli bottle medium chilli sauces, a burger sauce and a White Magic Alabama-style BBQ sauce. Browse Mudgeeraba Spices and Cobra Chilli for the full lists.
Want it gentler? See our mild range. Ready for more? Step up to hot or extra hot and extreme. You can also browse every hot sauce and chilli oil we stock.
Frequently asked questions
What does medium heat mean on The Rub Hub?
Medium means 4 to 6 on our Hub Heat scale, which runs from 0 to 11. You get a real chilli warmth that builds, while the smoke, sugar and garlic in the blend still come through.
Which medium heat rubs suit chicken wings?
Hardcore Carnivore Chilli Lime, Smokes Seasoning Asian Spice and Boars Night Out Spicy White Lightning all list wings as a top use and sit in the medium range on Hub Heat.
How do I tone down a medium heat sauce?
Mix it with mayo, sour cream or melted butter, or use it as a glaze on the last stretch of the cook rather than a dipping sauce. Serving a milder sauce on the side also helps.
Are there Australian-made medium heat sauces?
Yes. Butchers Axe Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce is made in Melbourne, Fancy Hank's Jalapeno & Peach Hot Sauce is made in Australia, and Heavenly Hell's Punk Rock Peppers hot sauces are Australian made from Currumbin-grown chillies.
Where can I buy medium heat rubs and sauces in Australia?
The Rub Hub stocks medium heat rubs, BBQ sauces, hot sauces, chilli oils and curry pastes from Australian, New Zealand and US makers, and ships Australia-wide for a flat $10.