Savoury BBQ rubs and sauces get their flavour from salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, mushroom and soy rather than sugar or chilli. The Rub Hub's savoury range covers Texas-style beef rubs, garlic butter seasonings, umami finishing dusts, chicken salts and steak sauces from Hardcore Carnivore, Butchers Axe, Rum and Que, Meat Church, Four Saucemen and plenty more. Flat $10 shipping anywhere in Australia.
Which savoury rub should I buy?
| Product | Maker | Style / heat | Best on |
| Black Rub | Hardcore Carnivore | Charcoal and pepper beef rub / mild (1/11) | Brisket, steak |
| Big Bark Rub | Butchers Axe | Competition beef rub / cool as (0/11) | Brisket, ribs, burgers |
| Holy Cow | Meat Church | Texas-style beef rub / mild (3/11) | Brisket, tri-tip, steak |
| White Lightning Double Garlic Butter | Boars Night Out | Garlic butter seasoning / cool as (0/11) | Steak, seafood, potatoes |
| Umami Garlic Butter Finishing Seasoning | Rum and Que | Finishing seasoning / cool as (0/11) | Steak, chips, roast veg |
| Emu-Mami Rub | Emus Rub | Mushroom umami rub / mild (1/11) | Any protein, veg |
| MeatyMite All-Purpose Rub | Hardcore Carnivore | Malty Aussie umami rub / cool as (0/11) | Lamb roasts, brisket, eggs |
| Crossbreed Rub | The Feedlot | Porcini and coffee hybrid / mild (1/11) | Brisket, burgers, lamb |
| The Burger Salt | Four Saucemen | Garlic and onion umami salt / cool as (0/11) | Smashed patties, hot chips |
| The Game Changer | Heavenly Hell | Herb poultry and game seasoning / cool as (0/11) | Roast chook, turkey, duck |
| The Don Steak Sauce | BBQ MAFIA | Tangy steak sauce / cool as (0/11) | Steak, steak sangas, burgers |
| Garlic Bhut Jolokia | Uncle Mungos | Garlic ghost chilli sauce / hot (8/11) | Chicken, steak, stir fries |
How to use savoury rubs and seasonings
- Low and slow: a coarse salt, pepper and garlic rub builds bark on brisket and beef ribs. Rub the night before and keep it in the fridge.
- Hot and fast: garlic butter and steak seasonings crust quickly without the sugar burn. Season just before the grill, or at least 40 minutes ahead.
- Finishing: umami dusts and finishing seasonings go on while the meat rests, so the aroma hits the plate, not the coals.
- Stack it: a savoury base rub under a sweet glaze or hot sauce gives depth without piling on more sugar.
- Every product page shows its Hub Heat rating out of 11.
What is umami in a BBQ rub?
Umami is the deep, meaty taste you get from mushroom, aged cheese, soy, tomato and slow-cooked stock. In a rub it makes beef taste beefier and roast veg taste richer. Emus Rub's Emu-Mami leans on mushroom, The Feedlot's Crossbreed brings porcini and coffee, Low N Slow Basics' Garlic Goals uses parmesan, and Hardcore Carnivore's MeatyMite is a malty, salty Aussie take. See the full umami and mushroom ranges.
Savoury vs sweet rubs
A savoury rub won't scorch on a hot grill, so it suits steak, lamb chops and burgers. Sweet rubs carry brown sugar for colour and caramel on pork and ribs, but need gentler heat. Plenty of cooks use both: a savoury rub on the meat, then a glaze brushed on late.
Keep going with beef rubs, steak seasonings, garlic or every BBQ rub we stock. Brand fans can head straight to Hardcore Carnivore, Butchers Axe or Rum and Que.
Frequently asked questions
What is a savoury BBQ rub?
A savoury BBQ rub is built on salt, pepper, garlic, onion, herbs and umami ingredients like mushroom or parmesan, with little or no sugar. It seasons the meat and builds a crust without the caramel sweetness of a pork or rib rub.
What does umami mean in BBQ seasoning?
Umami is the deep, meaty taste that comes from ingredients like mushroom, aged cheese, soy and tomato. Umami rubs such as Emus Rub Emu-Mami and The Feedlot Crossbreed make beef, lamb and roast veg taste richer.
When should I use a finishing seasoning?
Sprinkle a finishing seasoning on after cooking, while the meat rests or just before serving. Garlic butter and truffle finishing seasonings keep their aroma better when they don't go over high heat.
Can I use a savoury rub on vegetables?
Yes. Most all-purpose savoury rubs work on roast potatoes, mushrooms, corn and grilled veg as well as meat. Four Saucemen The Rub, for example, is made for veg, chicken and fish.
Where can I buy savoury BBQ rubs in Australia?
The Rub Hub stocks savoury and umami BBQ rubs, seasonings and sauces from Australian, New Zealand and US makers including Hardcore Carnivore, Butchers Axe, Rum and Que and Meat Church. Shipping is a flat $10 anywhere in Australia.