Ribs are where rub and glaze work as a team. A good pork rib rub lays down colour and bark, then a sticky glaze turns the rack glossy in the final stretch. This is our rib range: sweet and savoury rubs for pork spare ribs and baby backs, pepper-heavy rubs for beef short ribs, and the sauces and glazes to finish them, from makers like Meat Church, Rum and Que, Blues Hog and Kosmos Q. Flat $10 shipping, anywhere in Australia.
What's a good rub for pork ribs?
Most pork rib rubs are sweet and savoury: sugar for a caramelised crust, salt to season, paprika for that red colour and a little heat. Go sweeter if you plan to glaze, since the rub and glaze stack together. Go more savoury or peppery if you like dry ribs with no sauce at all.
Pork ribs vs beef ribs
| Pork ribs | Beef ribs |
| Rub style | Sweet, paprika-led, sometimes fruity | Coarse pepper and salt, coffee or espresso |
| Finish | Glaze or sauce in the last stretch | Usually left dry to show off the bark |
| Try | Meat Church's Honey Hog, Rum and Que's Rib Rocker Pork Rub, Smokin Hoggz's Rib Rub | Meat Mitch's Steer Season, Outlaw Barbecue's Stockman CRUST Espresso Beef Rub, The Feedlot's Black Angus Rub |
Pork rib rubs
For spare ribs and baby backs, there's plenty to pick from. Sweet and simple: Hardcore Carnivore's Sweet BBQ Rub, Chuds BBQ SweetCheeks or Meat Church's Texas Sugar. Fruit-leaning: Smokes Seasoning's Cherry Chipotle. Competition-style: Three Little Pigs BBQ's KC Championship Rub and Plowboys BBQ's Yardbird. With a kick: Four Saucemen's Manuka Hot Honey Rub, Chuds BBQ SnakeBite or Meat Mitch's Candied Jalapeño Seasoning & Rub.
Beef rib rubs
Beef short ribs cook a lot like brisket, so they want the same kind of rub: coarse, pepper-forward and not too sweet. Browse more options in our brisket rubs.
Finish with a sweet glaze
A glaze goes on near the end, once the bark has set, and gets a little time to tack up and turn glossy. Brush on a thin layer, give it 10 to 15 minutes, and repeat if you want it stickier. In this range you'll find Four Saucemen's The Spiced Rum Rib Glaze, Kosmos Q's Peach Jalapeño Rib Glaze, Smokin Mangoes BBQ's Mango Habanero Rib Glaze, Four Monkeys BBQ's Jungle Juice glazes and Heavenly Hell's Championship Candy. More in our full glazes range, or go classic with BBQ sauces like Blues Hog's Original.
Rib tips that matter
- Membrane: peel the thin membrane off the bone side of pork ribs so the rub can get in and the bite is cleaner.
- Binder: optional. A thin smear of mustard or oil helps rub stick to the bones.
- Doneness: lift the rack from one end with tongs. When it bends and the surface cracks, it's close.
- Wrapping: wrap for a softer bite, or leave unwrapped for a firmer bark. Both are right.
Doing a pork shoulder too? See pork rubs. For wood, read match the wood to the meat.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best rub for pork ribs?
There's no single answer, because it depends on whether you glaze. Sweet, paprika-led rubs like Meat Church's Honey Hog or Rum and Que's Rib Rocker suit glazed ribs. For dry ribs, a more savoury or competition-style rub, such as Three Little Pigs BBQ's KC Championship Rub, keeps the bark in charge.
Should I remove the membrane from pork ribs?
Yes, most cooks do. The thin membrane on the bone side gets tough and chewy and stops rub from reaching the meat. Slide a butter knife under one corner, grab it with paper towel for grip, and peel it off in one piece. Some butchers will remove it for you.
When should I glaze ribs?
Glaze near the end of the cook, once the bark has set and the ribs are close to tender. Sugar-heavy glazes scorch if they go on too early. Brush a thin layer, give it 10 to 15 minutes to tack up, and add a second coat if you want it stickier.
Can I use the same rub on beef ribs and pork ribs?
You can, but they usually suit different styles. Pork ribs take sweet, paprika-led rubs that love a glaze. Beef ribs cook more like brisket and shine with coarse pepper-and-salt or coffee rubs, left unsauced. An all-purpose rub works on both if you only want one shaker.
How do I know when ribs are done?
Use the bend test. Pick the rack up from one end with tongs: if it sags and the surface starts to crack, it's ready. The meat should also have pulled back from the ends of the bones a little. Probe between the bones too, which should feel tender.