Spicy, Smoky BBQ Rubs & Sauces

A complex ingredient-packed rub or perfectly simmered sauce makes all the difference in turning out great barbecue meals.

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AB's Chili Powder

Once you try Alton's homemade chili powder, you'll scoff at the store-bought variety. Roasting the dried chiles and cumin seeds before grinding releases their essential oils, intensifying their flavor and aroma.

Get the Recipe: AB's Chili Powder

Chuck's BBQ Sauce

Chuck laces his sweet, rich BBQ sauce with a full cup of espresso. Let the onions caramelize until golden brown to add extra depth.

Get the Recipe: Chuck's BBQ Sauce

Rib Dry Rub

This complex dry rub possesses sweet, salty, peppery and fiery ingredients — perfect for prepping any meat.

Get the Recipe: Rib Dry Rub

Smoky BBQ Sauce

Both the bacon and chipotle pepper contribute to the smoky flavor of this sauce. The bacon provides salty and meaty flavors, while the chipotle packs some heat.

Get the Recipe: Smoky BBQ Sauce

Juniper Mop Sauce

Slather this tangy gin-laced, juniper-coriander mop on your next chicken dinner for a meal with a kick.

Get the Recipe: Juniper Mop Sauce

Apple Rub

The fruity apple and warm spice flavors in this rub are light and pleasing. Sprinkle it on pork tenderloin, chicken or turkey breasts.

Get the Recipe: Apple Rub

Barbeque Baked Beans

Baked beans are typically very sweet. These have sugar in them but are balanced by the beer's bitterness, the vinegar's tang and the heat from the peppers.

Get the Recipe: Barbeque Baked Beans

Black Pepper Vinegar BBQ Mop Sauce

When using this peppery mop, make sure to scoop up the bits at the bottom to get the full punch in every bite.

Get the Recipe: Black Pepper Vinegar BBQ Mop Sauce

Korean BBQ Sauce

This fragrant and spicy sauce is best used on flanken-cut beef ribs or pork ribs, applied toward the end of their cooking.

Get the Recipe: Korean BBQ Sauce

Cuban Mojo-Inspired BBQ Sauce

This Cuban-inspired sauce gets its mojo from mustard powder, cayenne pepper and chili powder (to name a few). Start brushing the sauce when halfway through cooking chicken or fish, or serve as a sauce on the side.

Get the Recipe: Cuban Mojo-Inspired BBQ Sauce

Green Chile Tomatillo BBQ Sauce

Adding fresh herbs after cooking gives this sauce bright flavor, while tequila lends a final potent note. It's amazing brushed on bone-in chicken breasts or pork tenderloin when they are nearly done cooking.

Get the Recipe: Green Chile Tomatillo BBQ Sauce

South Carolina-Style BBQ sauce

This sharp, bright yellow and super-punchy barbecue sauce goes equally well with chicken, fish or pork. Cook your meat at least halfway before adding the sauce to prevent burning.

Get the Recipe: South Carolina-Style BBQ Sauce

Sweet and Sour BBQ Sauce

This tangy and savory barbecue sauce with a sweet side is delicious on chicken wings or fish alike. Brush it on three quarters of the way through the cooking time.

Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour BBQ Sauce

Apple Cider BBQ Mop and Sauce

This recipe makes different sauces depending on how long you cook it. When thin, it can be used as a mop sauce applied at the start of cooking and throughout. Thickened on the stovetop, it becomes a barbecue sauce that you apply much closer to the end of cooking. It's great on pork cuts of any kind.

Get the Recipe: Apple Cider BBQ Mop and Sauce

BBQ Shrimp Cocktail

The combination of horseradish, lemon and various peppers adds a bright, spicy flavor to the shrimp.

Get the Recipe: BBQ Shrimp Cocktail

Corn on the Cob with Butter Rub

This smoky, spicy, onion-y butter adds dimension to sweet grilled corn.

Get the Recipe: Corn on the Cob with Butter Rub

All-Purpose Beef BBQ Rub

This all-purpose rub is a little sweet with a little heat, and features some sharper notes of rosemary and onion. Generously sprinkle it on beef steaks or ribs about 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

Get the Recipe: All-Purpose Beef BBQ Rub