CROIX VALLEY: Garlic Barbecue Booster | All-Purpose Seasoning | 170g (6oz) shaker

The one shaker that never sits still

Garlic Barbecue Booster is the shaker Croix Valley built for the cook who reaches for one thing on everything. It carries the same garlic-forward backbone that built Damon and Lu Holter's competition reputation in Hudson, Wisconsin, just tuned for weeknight speed rather than a turn-in box. Keep it within arm's reach — it earns the spot.

The flavour

Toasted garlic leads, sharp and savoury rather than raw and hot. Through the middle it settles into a rounded, salty savouriness with a whisper of onion and cracked pepper for backbone. The finish is clean and moreish, built to make you reach for a second shake rather than reconsider the first.

How to cook with it

• Season chicken thighs generously before they hit direct heat — the garlic notes toast further on the grill and build a proper crust.
• Toss halved potatoes in oil and a solid dusting before roasting; the garlic clings to every rough edge.
• Shake it directly into the popcorn bowl straight off the stove while the kernels still carry a little oil — it sticks best warm.
• Stir a spoonful through softened butter for an instant garlic butter to melt over steamed vegetables or corn.
• Dust it over scrambled eggs or a cheese toastie for a garlicky lift that has nothing to do with the barbecue at all.

In the shaker

Expect a pale, sandy-gold blend with visible flecks of dried garlic and herb through a fine, free-flowing grind. It shakes evenly with no clumping and toasts quickly on direct heat, so build it in stages rather than one heavy dump if you're working over hot coals.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Full ingredient statement to be confirmed from the physical label.

Dietary: Vegan and gluten free (brand claim) — always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

This is the shaker you grab before you've decided what's for dinner — garlic-forward, toasty, works on chicken, veg or popcorn without a second thought. Dust it on early for roasts, then a light pinch right at serving wakes the garlic back up. Run it alongside Uncle Mungo's chipotle BBQ sauce for a proper beef or chicken night.

Questions answered

Is Garlic Barbecue Booster suitable for vegans?

Yes — it carries the brand's vegan and gluten free claim, though always check the physical label for the most current information.

Does it contain any heat?

No heat is stated for this blend — it's built as a savoury, garlic-forward all-rounder rather than a spicy seasoning.