Original Honey BBQ Rub — Award-Winning Sweet BBQ Seasoning

Winner of the “Best Rub on the Planet” award at the World Food Championships. Butcher BBQ Honey Rub “The Original” brings a proven competition pedigree to the backyard. If you're looking for a sweet honey BBQ rub for ribs, pork, chicken, or turkey, this is the original seasoning that helped build the Honey Rub family.

Honey leads. Savory follows. Sweetness stays the star. This is a honey-forward dry rub with just enough savory seasoning to keep the flavor balanced. It is a natural choice when you want sweet BBQ flavor on pork and poultry without having to rely on a separate finishing sauce.

Why Choose Original Honey Rub?

• Award-winning reputation: Recognized with the “Best Rub on the Planet” award at the World Food Championships.
• Sweet honey flavor: Honey is the leading taste, with a subtle savory finish.
• Made for pork and poultry: A great choice for ribs, pulled pork, chicken wings, whole birds, and turkey.
• Easy to use: Shake directly onto meat before smoking, roasting, or grilling.
• Works alone or layered: Use it as your main sweet rub or pair it with a savory seasoning for contrast.

Best Foods for Honey Rub

Pork ribs: Add honey-forward sweetness to smoked spare ribs or baby backs.

Pork shoulder and pork belly: Build a sweet-savory seasoning layer that complements rich pork.

Chicken and turkey: Season wings, thighs, whole birds, or turkey before smoking or roasting.

Beyond BBQ: Try a light sprinkle on foods that pair naturally with honey and savory spices.

How to Use Original Honey Rub

Sprinkle an even coat onto the surface of the meat before cooking. Let the seasoning rest briefly so it adheres, then smoke, roast, or grill. Use it alone for a honey-forward result, or add it over a savory base rub if you want more contrast.

Pitmaster Tip: For a beautiful golden-to-mahogany finish, cook over indirect heat and let the honey sweetness develop naturally. Want a deeper, caramelized crust? Finish briefly over direct heat to build color and enhance those rich, roasted flavors.

Ask the Pitmaster

What award has Butcher BBQ Honey Rub “The Original” won?

Butcher BBQ identifies Honey Rub “The Original” as a winner of the “Best Rub on the Planet” award at the World Food Championships. That recognition is part of why this original honey-forward seasoning has earned a place in the Butcher BBQ lineup.

What does Honey Rub “The Original” taste like?

Honey sweetness leads from the first bite. A subtle savory note follows, while the sweet honey character remains the dominant flavor. It is a sweet-forward BBQ rub rather than a hot, pepper-heavy seasoning.

What meats are best with Original Honey Rub?

This rub is especially well suited to pork ribs, pork shoulder, chicken wings, whole chicken, and turkey. Its sweet-savory profile also works on ham and other foods that pair well with honey.

Can I use Original Honey Rub on pork ribs?

Yes. Season your ribs evenly before smoking. Honey Rub adds a sweet layer of flavor that pairs well with smoky pork and a savory base rub if you prefer to layer seasonings.

Is Honey Rub good for chicken and turkey?

Yes. Sprinkle it evenly on chicken or turkey before roasting, smoking, or indirect grilling. Its honey-forward flavor complements poultry without needing a separate sweet glaze.

Should I use Honey Rub alone or with another BBQ rub?

Either works. Use Honey Rub on its own for a sweet-forward profile, or layer it with a savory seasoning to create more contrast. Start with a lighter coat when combining rubs so the overall seasoning stays balanced.

How do I apply Original Honey Rub?

Shake an even coating over the meat before cooking. Allow a short rest so the seasoning adheres, then smoke, roast, or grill. Adjust the amount to the size of the cut and your preferred sweetness.

Will a honey BBQ rub burn over direct high heat?

Honey Rub contains sugar and honey powder, so its surface can darken or scorch during prolonged exposure to direct high heat. For grilling, use indirect heat when practical and watch closely when finishing over the flame.

Does Original Honey Rub contain honey, and what are its ingredients?

Yes. The listed ingredients are sugar, salt, honey powder (refined syrup, honey), spices including paprika, dextrose, dehydrated garlic, celery, no greater than 2% silicon dioxide to prevent caking, and spice extractives. Always check the package label for current ingredient and dietary information.

What sizes are available?

The product currently offers a shaker bottle and a 2 lb bag of seasoning. A separate 33 oz empty shaker bottle is also listed as a variant; check your selection before adding to cart.

Your Reasons to Buy

• Winner of the “Best Rub on the Planet” award at the World Food Championships
• Original honey-forward flavor with a subtle savory finish
• Ideal for ribs, pork shoulder, chicken, and turkey
• Ready-to-use dry BBQ seasoning
• Can be used alone or layered with savory rubs
• Made in the USA

Ingredients & Nutritional Facts

Ingredients: Sugar, salt, honey powder (refined syrup, honey), spices including paprika, dextrose, dehydrated garlic, celery, no greater than 2% silicon dioxide to prevent caking, and spice extractives.

More About the Original Honey Rub

Honey Rub “The Original” is the sweet-forward starting point of Butcher BBQ's Honey Rub family. Its award-winning reputation and honey-first flavor make it an approachable seasoning for first-time backyard cooks and an easy addition to a seasoned pitmaster's collection. Pair it with your preferred savory BBQ rub when you want a balance of sweet and savory, or let the original honey flavor lead.

Choose the correct variant: The shaker bottle and 2 lb bag contain seasoning. The separately listed 33 oz shaker bottle is empty.