Okay, so I started out using these on the grill. Love them...bought more of them. Eventually (hot summer day) tried them on my NuWave cooker. WOW! Sitting inside the AC and having fantastic 'grilled' meats with these awesome rubs...definitely not bad. I continue to explore other rubs and spices and even make my own (google best ribs rub) and these are extremely difficult to 'beat'. By the time you buy the 'parts' and do the 'assembly' you're already into it for more money than it costs to order it via Amazon Prime. And, these are GOOD. Like another reviewer, the California is one of my favs, too. I blast through it much more quickly, so I ordered the 'big' container version.
I like all of the BBQ Bros rubs that I've tried. None are too spicy for kids, IMO. I tend to like to kick them up a notch or two with some added spices simply for fire and flavor (habanero!).
My second fav is the Texas followed closely by the New Orleans and Carolina. The KC is a staple. Toss it on anything from grilled asparagus to catfish. I will literally toss anything and everything on the grill (or NuWave!) these days. Salmon is fantastic. Take a bit of frozen salmon right out of the freezer, toss it on the NuWave, douse it in any of these rubs and 9 minutes later, you're having dinner.
I must admit that sometimes I 'supplement' the flavors with more garlic or onion powder or even black pepper (for the more sweet flavors), but I recommend that everyone try these for themselves and, as always, season to taste!
I've only recently (2 years) discovered these through Amazon, but now I am heartily recommending them for those who don't want to waste time or want new and interesting flavors without the burden of years of product research and development.
I have tried their entire line on every feasible meat and vegi product except perhaps Yak and such things that you wouldn't expect to find at the grocery store in North America. Bison, venison, lamb, pork, poultry and definitely beef. They don't particularly say so, but I love these on a wide variety of fish on the NuWave...talk about easy and delicious! Seriously, prep time is under two minutes.
Another use for KC, Cali or Tejas? Toss your asparagus or multi-color peppers strips on the grill after hitting them with the KC. Melt some cheese on them and hit them again just before you take them off and serve them. Hit the entire combo with some peel shrimp, wrap them up in a wad of 'tin' foil with some sliced onions and 4 minutes later, you have excellence. I could go on and on. I put it on grilled spinach, bok choy and just about anything that is edible.
Try it! Seriously, lightly hit your bok choy sticks with a bit of olive oil and BBRs rub(s) of your choice. Toss them on the grill or wrap them up in 'tin' foil and let them simmer a bit on the grill or toss them unwrapped on the NuWave. 3-5 minutes later you have something totally unbelievable. I once tried this trick by first stabbing chunks of cut bok choy with shrimp and mushrooms and onions. People at the event thought that I'd invented something like the light bulb.
These are great rubs for the person who has less time than money and would rather buy something good that they can use. Seriously, would you make your own pepper out of homegrown peppercorns? I probably would if I had forever and no need to work. It might even be better than what I can buy off the shelf? Doesn't matter. I don't have forever and I would really like to spend the least amount of time possible fixing up something interesting and different to eat when I cook. That's why I recommend these rubs. They are spices for meats and so much more. There really isn't a limitation to them, so explore them with your own imagination and try something cool and interesting.
I've mixed soy sauce with the California in a seafood soup. Came out amazingly. I mixed some of the Texas rub with some beans and mushrooms. My friends were begging me for the 'recipe.' Seriously, just tossed in a few things didn't even hardly remember what I put in it...not like I was paying much attention to it. Once you get a feel for the flavors, you'll find new uses for them...and practically zero overhead prep time.
To be fair and clear to all, I've tried all of them on the grill with the typical array of meats. I've tried using them straight on the grill, with chicken on the 'beer can cooker' and so many other choices. Don't limit yourself. Explore a range of tastes and discover what you like best. I like these a lot, but I'm also continuously exploring new flavors, tastes and aromas. I think that you should, too. :) If you don't care for it, tell the rest of us here on Amazon and if you come up with something wonderful, definitely let us know!
{NEW ORLEANS STYLE}: Salt, Spices, Paprika, Garlic, Onion, & Red Pepper. {MEMPHIS STYLE}: Paprika, Salt, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Spices, Onion, Red Pepper, & Silicon Dioxide. {CAROLINA STYLE}: Salt, Paprika, Brown Sugar, Spices, & Red Pepper.
