Battle of the BBQ Rubs: Sweet vs. Savory

Battle of the BBQ Rubs: Sweet vs. Savory

Pork & Power vs. BBQ Bombshell—Which One Rules Your Grill?

If you love backyard BBQ as much as we do, choosing the right seasoning is serious business. And at AJD Sass & Spice, we’ve crafted two bold dry rubs that are built to bring the heat, flavor, and flair to your next cookout.

But they’re more than just seasonings—they each have a personality. Let’s meet the contenders:

Pork & Power

Smoky • Peppery • Bold
This rub is all muscle—savory, smoky, and perfectly balanced with pepper-forward heat. It's made for pork, but don’t stop there—try it on roasted veggies, chicken, or anything that needs a little punch.

Best on:
✔ Pork Chops
✔ Pulled Pork
✔ Roasted Potatoes
✔ Sausage
✔ Brussels Sprouts

BBQ Bombshell

Sweet • Smoky • Sassy
She's sweet with a kick. BBQ Bombshell combines rich brown sugar, smoked paprika, and just enough sass to make every bite unforgettable. It caramelizes like a dream and turns even the simplest meal into a showstopper.

Best on:
✔ Ribs
✔ Chicken Thighs
✔ Baked Beans
✔ Corn on the Cob
✔ Smoked Mac & Cheese

Flavor Profile at a Glance

Pork & Power
• Personality: Savory, smoky, robust
• Best For: Pork cuts, roasted vegetables, dry rubs, hearty meals

BBQ Bombshell
• Personality: Sweet, smoky, bold sass
• Best For: Grilled meats, saucy BBQ, crowd-pleasing cookouts, sweet-heat lovers

Pork Butt Burnt Ends (with Pork & Power)

Smoky, sticky, bite-sized BBQ heaven.

Ingredients:

  • 5–7 lb pork butt
  • 4 tbsp Pork & Power seasoning
  • 1/4 cup mustard
  • BBQ sauce of choice

Instructions:

  1. Preheat smoker to 225–250°F.
  2. Coat pork with mustard, then rub with seasoning.
  3. Smoke to 165°F internal temp.
  4. Cube into 1" pieces, toss in sauce, and smoke until 200°F.
  5. Rest 15 mins before serving.

Flavor Tip: This rub is great on smoked sausage or roasted veggies too!

Smoked Mac & Cheese (with BBQ Bombshell)

Comfort food with smoky flair and a kiss of sweet heat.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
  • 16 oz Velveeta, cubed
  • 1.5 tbsp BBQ Bombshell
  • 4 cups milk
  • 16 oz shredded cheddar
  • 1 lb bacon, cooked & chopped
  • Instructions:
  1. Preheat smoker to 300°F.
  2. Cook bacon; set aside.
  3. Mix all ingredients in foil pan.
  4. Smoke for 1 hour, stirring at 30 min mark.

Make It Yours: Swap bacon for pulled pork, beef, or grilled chicken!

Ready to Choose Your Rub?

Whether you’re craving bold peppery power or sweet smoky sass, we’ve got a jar with your name on it.

Shop Pork & Power 
Shop BBQ Bombshell

📌 Save This for Grilling Season!

Love a good BBQ showdown? Share this post, pin the recipes, and tag us in your creations! Let the rub rivalry begin—#AJDSassAndSpice

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