PLOWBOYS BBQ: Yardbird Rub – Competition Chicken & Pork BBQ Rub (397g)

The rub that won the American Royal

Plowboys Yardbird is the competition rub Todd Johns and the Pork Pullin' Plowboys built for the Kansas City circuit — and it's the blend behind their 2009 American Royal Invitational Grand Champion win. The pack carries "4X American Royal World Champion" for a reason. Created for chicken, but made for pork, it's a proper KC all-rounder that gives you a glossy, mahogany finish and a savoury-sweet bite every cook.

The flavour

Front is salt and a touch of sweetness. The middle is paprika-rich and savoury, with garlic, onion, celery seed and mustard seed doing the heavy lifting. It finishes with a little chilli warmth at the back of the tongue — enough to notice, never enough to scare off the kids.

How to cook with it

• Pat chicken thighs dry, coat evenly and smoke at 135°C until the skin renders and turns mahogany — then a quick hot finish for bite-through skin.
• Season a rack of pork spare ribs on all sides and let it sit 30 minutes before it hits the smoker for a deep red bark.
• Toss wings in a little oil and a heavy shake of Yardbird before air-frying or grilling hot.
• Rub a pork shoulder overnight for pulled pork with a savoury, colourful crust.
• Rogue move: dust it over hot chips or popcorn straight out of the fryer.

In the shaker

A fine, free-flowing red-orange rub with visible flecks of spice. It sticks well and builds colour fast, so go even rather than heavy for a first cook.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Salt, sugar, spices including chilli pepper, paprika, dehydrated garlic and onion, celery seed, mustard seed, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate (flavour enhancers 631, 627), and not more than 2% calcium stearate added to prevent caking.

Dietary: Labelled gluten free and no MSG. Contains celery and mustard. Always check the physical label for the most accurate ingredient, allergen and nutritional information.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Rubb doesn't trust a rub until it's beaten a few hundred teams, and Yardbird has the hardware. Shake it on thighs or spare ribs, then brush Heavenly Hell Championship Candy Glaze on in the last 20 minutes for that competition shine, and cut the richness with a streak of Rum and Que Mustard Sauce. Tip: rest the ribs ten minutes before slicing — the glaze sets and the bark stays put.

Questions answered

What does Yardbird taste like?

Savoury and salty up front with a touch of sweetness, a big paprika colour and a little chilli warmth at the back of the tongue. Garlic, onion, celery seed and mustard seed round it out — classic Kansas City competition flavour.

Is Yardbird just for chicken?

The label says it best: created for chicken, but made for pork. It's brilliant on thighs, wings and whole birds, and just as good on ribs, pork shoulder and chops.

Is it hot?

Mild. There's chilli pepper in the blend, but it's a gentle warmth that builds colour and flavour rather than burn. It sits at 2 on our Sting Gauge.

Is Yardbird gluten free?

The pack is labelled gluten free and no MSG. It does contain celery and mustard seed, and the flavour enhancers disodium inosinate and guanylate (627, 631). Always check the physical label.