Grill Mates Rub, Sweet & Smoky, 5.37 oz Bottle

I used this McCormick Sweet & Smoky Rub on some ribs, and it turned out absolutely amazing. The blend of spices creates the perfect crust, giving the meat a gorgeous color and a rich, deep flavor that isn't overly sweet or too intensely smoky. It caramelizes beautifully on the grill. If you want a foolproof rub that delivers serious flavor, this is it. 5/5 stars!

McCormick Grill Mates Sweet & Smoky Rub is one of those go-to seasonings that makes grilling a lot easier when you want big BBQ flavor without mixing a bunch of spices yourself. It delivers exactly what the name promises— a blend of sweetness from brown sugar and sugar, balanced with a smoky, slightly spicy kick from chipotle, paprika, and garlic. On meats like chicken, pork chops, ribs, or even burgers, it forms a nice crust when grilled, especially if you let it sit for a while before cooking. The sweetness caramelizes really well over heat, giving that classic backyard BBQ flavor. It's also versatile—you can use it as a dry rub or mix it into barbecue sauce for extra depth. Flavor-wise, it leans more sweet than spicy, so it's not going to blow you away with heat. Instead, it's more crowd-friendly, making it great for family cookouts or when you're cooking for people who don't like overly spicy food. The downside is that it's a bit processed-tasting compared to homemade rubs, and heavy users of BBQ seasoning might find it a little basic after a while. But for convenience, consistency, and that reliable sweet-smoky BBQ profile, it absolutely gets the job done. Overall: A dependable, affordable, and flavorful rub that works well on just about anything you throw on the grill. Great for beginners or anyone who wants easy BBQ flavor without overthinking it.

McCormick Grill Mates Sweet & Smoky Rub delivers exactly what the name promises; a deep, rich smoke flavor that really shines without going overboard on the sweetness. The balance here is spot-on. You get that satisfying smoky depth upfront, with just enough sweetness to round it out rather than dominate. I've used it on chicken thighs and pork ribs so far, and it formed a beautiful crust both times. The seasoning adheres well and holds up to the heat. At 5.37 oz you get plenty to work with for multiple cookouts. If you've been burned before by rubs that taste more like dessert than BBQ, this one is a refreshing change. Great everyday grilling rub worth keeping stocked in the pantry.

What an amazing flavor bomb of sweet, smokey and savory. I started out just trying it on a label with cream cheese, and wow, amazing!! Tried chicken next, and it was wonderful. I think it would also be great with fish or pork. Can't wait to try it on other things!

I received this product for free in exchange for writing this review. I used this Sweet and Smoky rub on chicken and baked it in the oven. It required a good amount of rub on both sides and the taste was still pretty mild, I could have added more. I really enjoyed the sweet and savory flavor it added to my chicken. I like that all of the ingredients are clean. There is obviously sugar in this, but no added sweeteners otherwise. I would buy this product to use.

I've used this rub on chicken, pork, and burgers, and it consistently delivers great flavor. The sweetness isn't overpowering, and the smoky taste adds a nice barbecue-style finish. It creates a flavorful crust when grilling and works well as a dry rub or seasoning. Definitely a staple in my spice cabinet.

McCormick Grill Mates Sweet & Smoky Rub has a really good balance of flavor. The sweetness isn't overpowering, and the smoky taste gives meats and veggies a nice grilled flavor. It's easy to use and works well on chicken, ribs, burgers, and even potatoes. Definitely a solid seasoning to keep in the kitchen for quick meals and cookouts.

Was super impressed with this seasoning. It's the perfect blend of sweet and smoky and was absolutely delicious on grilled chicken. The whole family loved it and it was picky kid approved too. Will be using it on many more dishes and love the versatility it brings.

I received Grill Mates Sweet & Smoky seasoning free in exchange for my honest review. I used this seasoning rub on roasted corn on the cob that we grilled alongside chicken and pork chops. The flavor on the corn was outstanding. The seasoning cooked right into the corn while grilling, and we also offered extra seasoning at the table for anyone who wanted more. The sweet and smoky flavors really came through, and I especially noticed notes of brown sugar and cinnamon that made the corn taste delicious. I also tried the seasoning on a pork chop. While I could definitely taste the smoky flavor, the sweetness was much more subtle and didn't stand out as much to me. Interestingly, I felt that the corn brought out the brown sugar and cinnamon flavors far better than the pork did. Overall, I really enjoyed this seasoning, particularly on grilled vegetables. It added a unique sweet-and-smoky flavor that made the corn a standout side dish.

McCormick Sweet & Smoky Rub is one of my go-to seasonings for grilling. It has a really nice balance of brown sugar sweetness and smoky chipotle flavor without being overly spicy or salty. It works especially well on chicken, ribs, and pork, and creates a flavorful crust while keeping the meat juicy. Easy to use and great for quick weeknight grilling or smoking meats on the weekend.