What is BBQ Seasoning?

Have you ever wondered what is BBQ seasoning? Well let us take a look at what it is and where it came from.

In a Nutshell

In a nutshell, it is a blend of spices that we now use as a base for BBQ. Speaking of is it BBQ, Bar-b-q, or barbecue? I guess that is a topic for another day.

Anyway, back to the seasoning discussion. We now use BBQ seasonings as a BBQ pit essential. Anytime we prepare our meat for the smoker, we add delicious seasoning.

BBQ seasoning different from BBQ Rub

BBQ seasoning can also be referred to as BBQ rubs. However, there is a slight difference between the two. A barbeque seasoning is usually finer to add seasoning to the meat. A barbeque rub has a slightly more coarse texture for creating a crust or “bark” on the meat.

Like I said, they are basically the same, just slightly different. They are both applied before putting your protein on the smoker.

Pro tip - Do not rub your rub or seasoning! You want to press the seasoning or rub into the meat.

Some BBQ History

Ok, here is a little BBQ history. I know I know, you are not in school, but bear with me.

BBQ seasoning originated in the early 1600s. Spices were introduced when native Africans and Afro-Caribbean slaves were brought to America. Their homeland was full of different interesting spices they used when cooking meat over an open flame.

These spices were then brought to the North America. Over the years as cooking evolved, with the indigenous cooking methods where meats were slow cooked over open flames. This method combined with these spices, eventually BBQ was created that we know today.

BBQ seasoning – What about the ingredients?

Well that is a good question. It could be as simple as:

• Salt
• Pepper

Or a BBQ seasoning could be more complex containing any of the following ingredients:

• smoked paprika
• brown sugar
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• mustard powder
• chili powder
• cumin
• black pepper
• salt
• cayenne pepper (optional)

In Conclusion

At the end of the day a BBQ seasoning is a blend of different herbs and spices. The numerous seasonings out there just mix and match the combinations of the ingredients to make amazing additions to BBQ.

Now that you know about seasonings, might I suggest our Honey BBQ Rub? It was voted "Best Rub on the Planet" in 2022! We have a few BBQ Seasoning Rubs to choose from.

What are you waiting for? Now it is time to fire up that smoker and get to cooking!