FANCY HANKS: Taco Rub Seasoning – 90g

The shaker that runs the party

Fancy Hank's dry-rub their traditional pork ribs with this and shake it over the restaurant fries, which tells you it's doing more than tacos. Sweet, savoury and warm without being hot — it's the one you reach for when people are arriving in twenty minutes and you need dinner to look like a plan.

The flavour

Sugar and salt come first, then the spice blend rolls in — warm, earthy, cumin-and-paprika territory with a gentle background heat that never tips over. Vegetable powder rounds it out and keeps it savoury, and the canola oil helps it grab meat rather than bounce off. It caramelises properly on a grill, which is the point.

How to cook with it

• Shake it over chicken thighs and grill on the barbecue — the sugar catches and goes dark at the edges.
• Dry-rub pork ribs with it the way the restaurant does, then cook them low until the bark sets.
• Brown beef mince and hit it with a heavy shake plus a splash of water for a weeknight taco filling in under ten minutes.
• Shake it over hot chips instead of plain salt.
• Rub a lime around the rim of a cold beer, dip it in the seasoning, and hand it over. Michelada, sorted, and the guests aren't even here yet.

In the shaker

Rust-red and coarse enough to see the spice through it. It shakes out evenly and sticks to wet meat without needing a binder.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Sugar, Salt, Spices, Rice Flour, Vegetable Powder, Canola Oil.

Dietary: Vegan. Preservative free. No gluten. May contain traces of sesame, mustard, celery and soy. Always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Anything that seasons ribs, mince and the rim of a beer glass is earning its shelf space three times over. Spoon Nomad Salsa Macha over the finished tacos, and if you're doing the ribs, inject them the night before with Smoke on Wheels BBQ Marinade. Rub goes on dry meat — pat it down first or half of it ends up in the tray.

Questions answered

Is it just for tacos?
No. Fancy Hank's dry-rub their pork ribs with it and use it as a seasoning on their fries. Tacos are the start, not the limit.

Is it hot?
Mild. There's warm spice but no real burn — it's built for a crowd. On Hub Heat it rates 2/11.

Is it gluten free?
The brand lists it as no gluten, with possible traces of sesame, mustard, celery and soy. Always check the physical label.

How much do I use on mince?
A heavy shake per 500g, plus a splash of water to bring it together into a sauce.

What's the beer thing?
Lime around the rim, dip in the seasoning, pour a cold one. It's a Michelada shortcut and it works.