CROIX VALLEY: St. Louis BBQ Dry Rub | St. Louis-Style BBQ Rub | 340g (12oz) Shaker

Pit-style balance for a proper rack of spares

St. Louis-cut spare ribs are all about even, flat cooking, and this rub was built to match that with a balanced, pit-style profile rather than a one-note flavour. It suits the cook running a proper rack low and slow, and it nails the sweet-savoury balance with just a gentle edge of spice to keep things interesting.

The flavour

Front palate is a gentle sweetness, middle settles into savoury garlic and cracked pepper, finish carries a soft, warm spice that never overpowers the pork.

How to cook with it

• Trim the ribs St. Louis-style first, then coat evenly and let them rest for 30 minutes so the rub tacks onto the surface before smoking.
• Run the 3-2-1 method — smoke uncovered, wrap for moisture, then finish uncovered again to firm the bark this rub builds up.
• Toward the end of the cook, apply a light second dusting for extra crust before pulling the ribs off the smoker.
• Left-field use: work it into pork mince for house-made sausages with a proper pit-style backbone.

In the shaker

A shaker of medium-brown rub with fine, evenly distributed spice flecks; a fine-to-medium grind that clings well through a long, moisture-heavy 3-2-1 cook.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Full ingredient statement to be confirmed from the physical label.

Dietary: Vegan and gluten free (brand claim); always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

St. Louis spares reward patience more than any other cut — trim them properly, coat evenly, and let the rub tack on for half an hour before smoke. Run the 3-2-1 method and you'll get a bark this rub was built to hold. Finish with Kosmos Q's OP-X 1 pork and beef sauce in the last stretch.

Questions answered

What cut is this rub designed for?

St. Louis-cut spare ribs are the classic match, though it suits most pork cuts.

How spicy is it?

Gently spiced rather than hot — a soft warmth sits behind a sweet-savoury base.

Is it suitable for vegans?

Yes, per the brand's claim — always check the physical label to confirm.