Planned an outdoor barbeque with family and friends? Do you have to impress them with your grilling and roasting skills? Everyone is counting on you for some juicy, flavorsome pulled pork to add to their buns and sandwiches.
Pulled pork is a slow-cooked piece of pork. It is usually a shoulder-cut chunk and is smoked for 6-8 hours. Variations allow for a slow cooker or a domestic oven. But to meet the caramelized, crispy demands, it should be roasted outside over wood.
Regardless of the cooking technique you use, the meat should be aptly seasoned. Meat Church offers an extensive array of rubs to spice up your perfectly-cut shoulder pork. But with many options come many questions. What if the pork does not turn out as fiery as you hoped? Or do you prefer a slightly sweeter side? Maybe you like a sour taste?
To assist you in planning your ideal family weekend getaway, we have listed only the best Meat Church rubs to flavor your pulled pork.
Best Meat Church Rub for Pulled Pork
1. Our Top Choice For Best Overall
- Meat Church Holy Voodoo BBQ Rub 14 oz.
This cajun-inspired rub is more savory than other Meat Church products. Though originally used for turkeys, it doesn’t fail to charm the flavors of pulled pork. It is loaded with smoky jalapenos and garlic.
It is yellow-brown in appearance and a little coarse in texture, which is essential for the seasoning to stick to the meat.
Holy Voodoo lives up to its name and voodoos almost any type of meat. It contains paprika as well as other spices, which give a fiery, lasting sensation in your mouth. This rub seeps into the tissues and flavors every bite, whether it is chicken, beef, pork, or any other protein.
It works perfectly when rubbed on seafood and ribs. Coat them generously with the seasoning and rest for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, chill them in the refrigerator for 6 hours before you start cooking.
While the pork is on the grill, keep dabbing it with vinegar every two hours to trap the moisture. It is advised to cover the meat with aluminum foil during the last two hours of cooking.
It arrives in a shaker of 6.77 x 3.78 x 2.8 inches which is easy to store and use. The total weight is 0.92 pounds.
It is gluten-free. One serving (1.5 grams) contains five calories and 1 gram of sugar. It has no cholesterol. Trans fats and saturated fats are absent. It also has some amount of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).
What We Liked
- It is versatile and works well with pork.
- It is relatively easy to use.
- It adds a kick to the pork because of the jalapenos.
- It delivers a complex flavor.
What We Didn’t Like
- It contains MSG.
2. A Spicy Pick
- Meat Church The Gospel All-Purpose 14 oz. BBQ Rub
This Southwestern-style rub is a multi-purpose boon. It has a distinct barbeque flavor because of paprika and dehydrated garlic. Other spices present in The Gospel accelerate the smokiness of the rub. The seasoning also contains celery, providing a crunchy and herby flavor when added to the meat.
It has a bright, burning red color which instantly multiplies your appetite. It is powdery in texture but isn’t too fine.
You can use this all-in-one rub to smoke your pulled pork. Damp the meat with a little bit of molasses or apple cider vinegar and coat it liberally with the rub. Let the pork absorb all the flavors of spices, garlic, and celery for at least 30 minutes before starting the cooking process.
The Gospel is every chef’s dream and every home cook’s savior. You can add it to chicken wings, beef, and any other protein. If sprinkled on seafood, it enhances the aromas.
Gone are the days of worrying about bland charred veggies. The Gospel will elevate your greens to an irresistible level. Mix a handful with tofu or paneer and barbeque on a stick for a crusty delight.
The package is 2.76 x 2.76 x 5.91 inches and weighs 0.87 pounds. It has a shaker which makes it convenient to use.
The feature we appreciate the most is that it contains no MSG and gluten. If 1.5 grams is considered the standard serving size, it contains 5 calories and 170mg sodium. It lacks trans and saturated fats, making the total fat content zero.
What We Liked
- It is crafted specifically for BBQ.
- It adds heat to food items.
- The celery adds a unique flavor.
- It does not contain MSG.
What We Didn’t Like
- Children or those who prefer a mild flavor may not enjoy this rub.
3. The Best Flavor
Holy Cow is a robust seasoning in the Meat Church rubs series. It is heavily inspired by the flavors of Texas. The prominent taste is pepper and garlic. It has bold flavors which are infused with pulled pork.
It appears to have a furious red-brown with coarse, ground texture.
The rub leaves a lasting flavor in your mouth, as it is laden with heavy peppers. Best for barbecuing, it is usually paired with briskets and chicken wings. But it can also be used to marinade seafood, beef, vegetables, and other poultry.
If you like to spice up your eggs, Holy Cow is the ultimate seasoning. Whisk it in your stews and soups, sprinkle on kebabs, and use it as a condiment. It can add heat to any under-seasoned plate.
It is packaged in a sprinkler of 2.76 x 2.76 x 5.91 inches, and the total weight is 0.022 pounds. The packaging is simple and easy to use.
It is gluten-free and has no MSG. It does contain any sugar or fats. It has 240mg sodium, 11mg potassium, and 5 calories in one serving.
What We Liked
- It has no sugar content.
- It lacks MSG.
- It has bold flavors and works well in small quantities.
- It is convenient to store.
What We Didn’t Like
- The pepper can overpower other flavors of the dish.
4. Mild Flavors
- One 14 Ounce Bottle of BBQ Rub
- The one rub you need for every cook; beef, chicken, pork, seafood vegetables and more! Gluten Free, No MSG
- This blend is great on ribs, chicken and beef!
Holy Gospel is a blend of Meat Church Holy Cow and the Gospel. It is a perfectly balanced seasoning that works extraordinarily well with pulled pork. The two rubs used as raw ingredients are mixed in a definite proportion to get the flavors just right. For the users who found Holy Cow to be too spicy and The Gospel to be underwhelming, this is the best of both.
The powdered seasoning is hot red in color. Garlic powder adds a zing to the powder.
The rub can be used to marinate beef, pork, and chicken. You can also use it on ribs and wellington. One of its uses is to season seafood. Prawns and cod taste exceptionally delicious when smeared with this seasoning.
It is fantastic when paired with chicken thighs and wings. It provides a rich flavor to pulled pork when used in generous quantities.
The package dimensions are 2.76 x 2.76 x 6.1 inches, and it weighs 0.88 pounds. It is sold in a shaker as well as a resealable bag.
Holy Gospel is free of cholesterol and fats. It has 5 calories per 1.5 grams. One serving contains 180 mg of sodium and 1mg of calcium.
It does not contain any gluten and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
What We Liked
- The flavors are balanced.
- It does not have MSG.
- Children can consume the rub as it is not very spicy.
- It comes in various packaging options.
What We Didn’t Like
- It can be a little sweet.
5. Honeyed Taste
This southern-inspired Honey Hog lies towards the sweeter side of flavors. It is manufactured specifically for those who prefer a honeyed taste on their pulled pork and other meat. Powder from refined honey syrup is used to bring out the characteristic smell.
It appears to be golden-yellow which in itself is very appetizing. Garlic and celery are also mixed into the rub.
This rub enhances the caramelization after grilling or roasting. You can use it to coat pork, beef, and chicken wings. Let the flavors mix with the juices of the protein before starting to cook.
A very little amount of the powder is sufficient to adequately season the meat. To ensure that the flavors are well distinguished, you can sprinkle an extra layer of the rub after cooking. Before rubbing the meat with Honey Hog, you can brush it with apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness with acidity.
It is packed in a silicone sprinkler of 2.76 x 2.76 x 5.91 inches, weighing 0.86 pounds.
It has no fat content or cholesterol. It contains Vitamin A, 5 calories, and 130mg of sodium in 1.5 grams (one serving). Sugar and honey powder is added for sweetness. No MSG or gluten is used for making Honey Hog.
What We Liked
- The honey to paprika ratio is well balanced.
- Celery provides a freshness to the meat.
- The sprinkler makes the product easy to use.
- It does not contain MSG.
What We Didn’t Like
- Honey Hog can lose its flavor when exposed to high heat (roasting or in high-temperature ovens).
6. A Worthy Mix
- Authentic Tex-Mex fajita seasoning developed in collaboration with renowned chefs and pitmasters.
- Infused with a hint of citrus, perfect for enhancing the flavor of fajitas and vegetables.
- Available in a 14 oz bottle or a 1 lb. re-sealable bag, offering convenience and freshness.
- Gluten-free, with no MSG, made from quality ingredients including salt, spices, dehydrated garlic & onion, lemon juice powder, and natural enzymes like papain and bromelain.
- A little goes a long way, delivering bold, flavorful seasoning that elevates any dish.
Fajita has its roots in Texas. And from the country of barbeque originates a strong, flavorful rub for pulled pork. Mainly dehydrated onion and garlic are used in this mix.
It is orange-brown and has a coarse powder-like texture.
Paprika, lemon juice powder, bromelain, and papain are also used to add flavor to this rub.
It is used to marinate pork before slow cooking and other meat dishes. If added to beef and poultry, it blends with the natural juices to give a scrumptious bite. It pairs well with hamburgers and pizza and can be used as a condiment in salad dressings. It has lemon, which provides a zesty tang.
You can add it to tortillas and wraps, as well as on tacos and chips.
It is packaged in a container of 2.76 x 2.76 x 5.91 inches. The total weight is 0.88 pounds.
It does not have any fats, cholesterol, or fiber. It contains 300 mg of sodium, 5mg of potassium, and 5 calories per serving. Each serving is standardized at 1.5 grams. Gluten and MSG are not added to prepare the seasoning.
What We Liked
- It has well-defined flavors.
- The lemon adds acidity to the dishes.
- It can be used as a condiment.
- The spices are versatile.
What We Didn’t Like
- A large quantity of the powder needs to be used for adequate seasoning.
How To Pick The Best Meat Church Rubs For Your Pulled Pork
There are numerous Meat Church rubs available in the market, and all of them are flavorful. To help you land on a perfect seasoning, we have compiled a few factors to narrow down your choices.
Method of cooking
Though traditionally slow-cooked and roasted on wood, pulled pork can also be prepared in an indoor oven or a pressure cooker. Your method of cooking the pork will act as a vital factor in choosing a pork rub.
If you do not have an outside grill or a smoker, choose mild flavors as they’ll be enhanced while in the cooker. On the other hand, it is best to select a strong, robust seasoning while charring on woods. This is because a mild seasoning will be overshadowed by the smokiness.
Personal taste and preferences
Some people prefer fiery hot pulled pork with bold flavors. Others are more accustomed to mild spices and complex tastes. In contrast, others like their pulled pork slightly sweeter than spicy.
Depending upon how your tastebuds can be satisfied, select a rub (or a combination of several rubs). If you’re planning to cook for a family or a group of people, it is best to flavor different pieces of pork separately.
What Do These Terms Mean?
We have described a few terms and phrases we used while describing the Meat Church rubs.
MSG – Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used to enhance flavor. Generally considered safe to add into food products, some people prefer not to eat it.
Gluten – Gluten is responsible for the elasticity of various grains like wheat. If a person suffers from gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, they tend to avoid it.
Heat/smoky – It is used to measure how spicy seasoning is. The more heat a rub has, the spicier it is.
Robust – The rubs described as robust are strongly-flavored. The spices can overwhelm the dish, and other aromas may not be expressed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What spices and ingredients are used to make Meat Church rubs?
Most of the ingredients remain the same in all rubs, like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and sugar. A few others use onion powder and celery as well. Honey Hog and the rubs which deliver a sweet flavor have added honey powder.
What are the different types of Meat Church rubs sold?
Meat Church offers an extensive collection of rubs to season your pork, beef, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. Some of them are listed below –
- Meat Church Holy Voodoo
- Honey Hog BBQ rub
- Holy Cow by Meat Church
- Meat Church The Gospel BBQ
- Honey Bacon BBQ rub
- Holy Gospel BBQ by Meat Church
Which Meat Church BBQ rub is sweet?
Meat Church Honey Hog and Meat Church Honey Hog Hot are sweeter versions of the meat seasonings. They are generally used to marinate chicken wings and ribs. But they also pair well with pulled pork when applied with apple cider vinegar. Refined honey powder and some sugar are used to add sweetness.
Conclusion
Since they arrived in the market in April 2014, Meat Church rubs have solidified their position as an essential meat rub. They have taken the cooking world by storm and proved to be the most sought-after seasonings. This is due to their versatility and unique flavor.
Here we analyzed all the factors and weighed every element essential to be a perfect rub for pulled pork. And though all the six rubs elevate the taste of pork, we picked Meat Church Holy Voodoo BBQ Rub 14 oz as our winner.
Holy Voodoo adds a zing, a kick to the tender meat. The flavors leave the taste in your mouth for a while. It is perfect and balanced. It does not dominate the natural juices of the pork but compliments them. It is, hence, the best Meat Church rub for pulled pork.