RUBS & SPICE
MIXES
Take your BBQ to the next level with these tried-and-true spice blends from legendary Pitmaster Ed Mitchell. These signature spice blends are the result of generations of tried-and-true pit work from the Mitchell family in Wilson, NC. No added sugar, full flavor, a generational BBQ legacy.
WHAT DOES A HALL OF FAME PITMASTER PUT ON HIS RIBS?
Carolina-born rubs refined over generations in Wilson, NC. BBQ Hall of Fame Pitmaster Ed Mitchell built these blends on balanced heat, savory depth, and real spices with no added sugar. Straightforward ingredients that build real bark on ribs, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables. No fillers, no shortcuts, no brown sugar that burns before the meat is done. Clean labels, consistent results, whether you are working the smoker, the grill, or the oven. This is what Carolina BBQ mastery tastes like in your own kitchen.
PITMASTER-PERFECT FLAVOR, WITHOUT THE SUGAR.
Sugar burns. Real spices build bark. The same rubs that beat Bobby Flay on Food Network are now in your kitchen, carrying generations of Mitchell family pit work with no added sugar. Our Carolina Pork Rub is built for whole hog and every pork cut. Our BBQ Rib Rub delivers competition-level bark on ribs. And our All Purpose Rub works on chicken, fish, veggies, beans, and rice. Whole30 and paleo certified. Clean, bold, and authentically Southern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sugar-free rubs rely on savory spices and herbs for depth rather than caramelized sugar. True Made Foods' Pitmaster BBQ Rubs are crafted by Hall of Fame Pitmaster Ed Mitchell using generations of Carolina BBQ tradition, delivering bold flavor without any added sugar. Learn more about BBQ rubs vs marinades.
Bark forms through the Maillard reaction between proteins and amino acids, not sugar alone. True Made Foods' Pitmaster Rubs are designed by Ed Mitchell to build real bark on ribs, pork, chicken, and more across smoker, grill, or oven. Read our guide to all-natural BBQ rubs and perfect bark.
Carolina rubs emphasize balanced savory spices, moderate heat, and letting the meat lead rather than heavy sweetness. True Made Foods' Pitmaster Carolina Pork Rub comes from Ed Mitchell's family's generational pit work in Wilson, NC, with no added sugar.
Look for a short ingredient list with no added sugars, artificial flavors, MSG, or fillers. True Made Foods' Pitmaster BBQ Rubs are all-natural and clean-label, crafted by Ed Mitchell to deliver full Carolina BBQ depth without unnecessary additives.
Not always. Some replace sugar with artificial sweeteners or maltodextrin. Every True Made Foods Pitmaster Rub uses only real spices and herbs, with no artificial ingredients or fillers.
Pat ribs dry, apply a generous even coat, and ideally refrigerate 24 hours before cooking for maximum flavor penetration, though it can be added anytime. True Made Foods' BBQ Rib Rubs and Carolina Pork Rubs are designed for consistent results across any cooking method.
Yes. All-purpose rubs work on roasted vegetables, beans, potatoes, and more. True Made Foods' Pitmaster All Purpose Rub is a versatile no-sugar blend that works across meats, veggies, and grains.
Yes. True Made Foods offers small (5.8-6.1oz) and large (10.9-11.5oz) jars, plus a Pitmaster Carolina BBQ Rub Combo Pack, making it easy to stock up or try different blends.
