B.T. Leigh's Sweet & Spicy BBQ Rub

Finding a spicy BBQ rub that delivers more than just heat can be a challenge. Some seasonings overpower the meat with pepper, while others lean so heavily on sugar that the spice barely comes through. A great sweet and spicy barbecue rub should deliver balanced flavor first, then bring enough heat to keep every bite interesting.

B.T. Leigh's Somethin' To Cry About Sweet & Spicy BBQ Rub combines turbinado sugar, sea salt, smoked paprika, and a layered blend of guajillo, ancho, chipotle meco, and cayenne peppers. Carolina Reaper chile flakes deliver a delayed heat kick that builds after the initial sweet, salty, smoky, and savory flavors. Made in Kentucky, this gluten-free, vegan-friendly seasoning is a versatile choice for wings, ribs, pulled pork, shrimp, roasted vegetables, tofu, fries, and more.

• Sweet heat with real depth: Starts with sweet, salty, smoky, and savory flavors before the heat builds.
• Carolina Reaper kick: Carolina Reaper chile flakes provide a noticeable pepper bite and delayed warmth.
• Four-chile flavor blend: Guajillo, ancho, chipotle meco, and cayenne create layered chile flavor rather than one-dimensional heat.
• Turbinado sugar: Adds sweetness and helps develop flavorful bark on smoked meats.
• Smoked paprika: Contributes smoky depth that complements grilled and smoked foods.
• Versatile BBQ seasoning: Excellent on wings, ribs, pulled pork, and other grilled or smoked favorites.
• Beyond barbecue: Try it on shrimp, roasted vegetables, tofu, fries, and party crackers.
• Gluten-free: Identified by the manufacturer as gluten-free.
• Vegan-friendly: Suitable for plant-based cooking applications.
• Made in Kentucky: A specialty barbecue seasoning from B.T. Leigh's Sauces and Rubs.

• Smoked pork ribs
• Chicken wings
• Pulled pork
• Smoked pork shoulder
• Grilled chicken
• Grilled shrimp
• Pork chops
• Roasted cauliflower
• Roasted vegetables
• Tofu
• French fries
• Party crackers
• Oven-baked and air-fried foods

Somethin' To Cry About is made for cooks who enjoy sweet and smoky barbecue seasoning but want a more noticeable chile kick. Its combination of layered peppers, turbinado sugar, and savory spices makes it especially appealing to BBQ enthusiasts who appreciate flavor complexity alongside heat.

• Fans of sweet and spicy BBQ rubs
• Backyard pitmasters
• Smoker owners
• Chicken wing enthusiasts
• Rib and pulled pork cooks
• Fans of Carolina Reaper seasoning
• Home cooks who enjoy chile-forward flavors
• Vegetarian and vegan home cooks
• BBQ gift shoppers

Somethin' To Cry About is designed to deliver its flavor in stages.

The first taste brings sweetness from turbinado sugar, savory seasoning, salt, and smoky paprika. Then the chile blend begins to develop, creating a layered pepper flavor that becomes more noticeable after a few seconds.

Carolina Reaper chile flakes contribute the final kick, creating a heat profile that can continue building rather than hitting all at once.

This makes the rub especially appealing to cooks who want a spicy barbecue seasoning that still allows the food's natural flavor to come through.

Rather than relying on a single hot pepper, B.T. Leigh's uses several varieties to create a more complex chile profile.

• Guajillo: Contributes to the layered chile flavor.
• Ancho: Adds another dimension to the pepper blend.
• Chipotle Meco: Complements the rub's smoky character.
• Cayenne: Contributes a recognizable pepper kick.
• Carolina Reaper: Adds a more intense chile bite and delayed heat.

The combination creates a seasoning that offers both BBQ-friendly flavor and noticeable spice.

Turbinado sugar plays an important role in the seasoning's sweet and spicy balance.

Along with contributing sweetness, it helps develop bark on smoked meats, making Somethin' To Cry About a natural option for ribs, pork shoulder, and other barbecue favorites.

Combined with smoked paprika, salt, and the chile blend, the sugar helps create a flavorful exterior during cooking.

Chicken wings are one of the best applications for this seasoning.

The sweet and smoky opening complements the chicken, while the delayed chile heat gives each bite a spicy finish.

For dry-rub wings, lightly coat the wings with oil, season generously, and bake or air-fry until safely cooked and the exterior reaches your preferred texture.

Serve them as a standalone dry-rub wing or pair them with a complementary dipping sauce.

Somethin' To Cry About is a practical choice for barbecue cooks who want a sweet-and-spicy seasoning with more depth than basic salt, sugar, and cayenne.

Apply it to ribs or pork shoulder before smoking to build a seasoned exterior. The combination of turbinado sugar, smoked paprika, savory spices, and multiple chile peppers complements slow-cooked pork.

For pulled pork, the rub brings a sweet and smoky foundation with heat that remains noticeable after shredding.

This BBQ rub is versatile enough for everyday cooking outside the smoker.

Try it on grilled shrimp, roasted cauliflower, or tofu when you want sweet, smoky flavor with a pepper kick.

It also works as a finishing seasoning for fries and party crackers, making it a useful addition to casual gatherings and game-day snacks.

According to B.T. Leigh's, Somethin' To Cry About is gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

That makes it a versatile seasoning option for a range of cooking preferences, including plant-based dishes such as roasted vegetables and tofu.

B.T. Leigh's Sauces and Rubs received recognition at the 2024 SauceKingNYC Rub Awards for Best Line of Rubs.

Somethin' To Cry About is part of that recognized seasoning lineup, offering a distinctive sweet-and-spicy option for BBQ enthusiasts.

Somethin' To Cry About can be used as a standalone dry rub or combined with a complementary barbecue sauce.

For a sweet-and-tangy finish, try pairing it with B.T. Leigh's Somethin' Somethin' Sauce.

For a brighter vinegar-forward contrast, experiment with B.T. Leigh's The Magical Mop Carolina Vinegar Sauce.

It is also included in The Flavor Box, a four-product collection featuring two B.T. Leigh's sauces and two BBQ rubs.

For someone who loves experimenting with hot peppers, smoking ribs, or preparing spicy wings, Somethin' To Cry About makes a practical addition to a BBQ gift basket.

Pair it with a specialty BBQ sauce, grilling accessories, or another seasoning from B.T. Leigh's to create a gift suited to a cook who appreciates sweet heat and handcrafted flavor combinations.

• Start with the right amount: Use approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of rub per pound of food, then adjust to your preferred flavor and heat level.
• For ribs and pulled pork: Apply a heavier coating and let the seasoning sit for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.
• For wings: Lightly coat with oil, season generously, and bake or air-fry until safely cooked.
• Expect delayed heat: Taste a small amount first because the chile heat can continue building after the initial sweet and smoky flavor.
• For vegetables: Start with a lighter coating and add more seasoning after tasting.
• For fries: Sprinkle on freshly cooked fries for a sweet, smoky, spicy finishing touch.
• For smoking: Monitor cooking temperatures when using sugar-containing rubs to avoid scorching the seasoning.
• For entertaining: Pair with a milder dipping sauce to offer guests a contrast to the rub's pepper heat.