Sweet Rub Recipes for a Complete Dinner

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One rub, five incredible recipes, endless BBQ possibilities. This collection of Sweet Rub recipes shows you why my NBBQA award-winning Sweet Rub is your secret weapon for serious flavor.

A collage of five different BBQ dishes. The text overlay reads "Sweet Rub Recipes for a Complete Dinner" in the middle, and "Hey Grill Hey" at the bottom.
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5 Sweet Rub Recipes for a Full BBQ Spread

When I say my Sweet Rub can do it all, I mean it. With a brown-sugar base and bold spices like smoked paprika, garlic, and a hint of cayenne, this award-winning blend brings sweet, smoky, and savory flavor to anything it touches. Sure, it’s a go-to for ribs, pulled pork, and chicken, but this collection of recipes shows just how versatile it can be.

Below you’ll find an entire BBQ dinner menu around my signature Sweet Rub. We’re talking everything from an appetizer and sides all the way to dessert. Fire up your smoker and get ready to see just how much you can make with this amazing rub.

1. Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs

A round, black plate with deviled eggs in a circle.

These aren’t your grandma’s deviled eggs. This recipe takes the classic appetizer and gives it a serious flavor upgrade with a sweet and smoky candied bacon crumble. The creamy yolk filling gets a kick from pickled jalapeños and my signature Sweet Rub and Zesty Gold BBQ Sauce, while the candied bacon adds the perfect crunch on top. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to a potluck, or just want to impress your friends, these Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs help you bring big flavor in a few simple steps.

Get the recipe: Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs

2. Smoked Corn on the Cob

Seasoned corn in the husks on the grill grates of a smoker.

This Smoked Corn on the Cob takes a classic summer side and turns it into a smoky-sweet sensation. Each ear is brushed with butter, then coated in my signature Sweet Rub. The corn smokes low and slow until the kernels are tender, juicy, and caramelized with flavor. Meanwhile, the rub adds that perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory. Whether it’s for a BBQ party or just a simple weeknight side, this smoked corn brings incredible flavor. One bite, and I think you’ll agree.

Get the recipe: Smoked Corn on the Cob

3. BBQ Pit Beans

A scoop of a pit beans recipe seasoned with Sweet Rub on a wooden spatula.

These hearty, smoky Pit Beans make the ultimate BBQ side dish. Slow-cooked with sausage, a touch of maple syrup, and my signature Sweet Rub, they develop deep, rich flavor that sticks to your ribs. Literally. A splash of Texas Style BBQ Sauce enhances the savory-sweet balance, making them an irresistible side for ribs, pulled pork, or even cornbread. Perfect for potlucks, family meals, or backyard dinners, these beans take traditional flavors to new heights.

Get the recipe: BBQ Pit Beans

4. 321 Ribs

Seasoned ribs next to a bottle of Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub.

These ribs are everything you want in a BBQ: tender, sticky, and packed with flavor. Using the foolproof 3-2-1 method, the ribs cook low and slow for 3 hours, wrap with liquid for 2, then finish sauced for 1. The result? Fall-off-the-bone ribs every time. My signature Sweet Rub seasons the ribs, building that smoky-sweet crust, then a slather of Everything BBQ Sauce at the end adds tangy, savory depth. Perfect for family dinners or any time you want to impress your friends, these 321 Ribs deliver big flavor with minimal stress.

Get the recipe: 321 Ribs

5. Bacon Wrapped Oreos

A bacon wrapped Oreo seasoned with Sweet Rub resting on a cooling rack.

Yes, you can wrap Oreos in bacon, and yes, they’re delicious. This recipe takes sweet cookies and pairs them with smoky, crispy bacon, then finishes them with a sprinkle of my signature Sweet Rub. The brown sugar caramelizes with the bacon, creating a sweet, salty, smoky treat that’s soft in the middle with crunchy edges. Perfect for parties, tailgates, or just a unique treat, these Bacon Wrapped Oreos are a surprising Sweet Rub recipe that will have your friends asking for seconds, and the recipe.

Get the recipe: Bacon Wrapped Oreos

Recipe for Homemade Sweet Rub

You can grab a bottle of my award-winning Sweet Rub right from the Hey Grill Hey Store to have whenever BBQ cravings hit. If you want to make your own, I’ve also got you covered. Check out my homemade Sweet Rub recipe so you can mix up a batch yourself.

More Sweet Rub Recipes

If this full dinner menu has you hungry for more, you’re in luck! I’ve built an entire Sweet Rub Menu where you can find all of my Sweet Rub recipes in one place. I’ve got everything from classic ribs and pulled pork to unexpected favorites like grilled veggies and sweet BBQ snacks. It’s your go-to hub whenever you want that perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory BBQ flavor.

And if you want to keep these Sweet Rub recipes right at your fingertips, download the Hey Grill Hey App! You’ll get instant access to the complete Hey Grill Hey recipe library, along with meal planning tools, shopping lists, and more to make backyard BBQ easier than ever.

How Sweet It Is

From appetizer to dessert, these Sweet Rub recipes prove just how much one good rub can do. Now it’s your turn to fire up the smoker and give them a try! If you enjoy what you make, I’d love if you left a comment and a 5-star rating on your favorite recipes. This helps so more BBQ fans can discover Hey Grill Hey and lets me know what you’ve got cookin’.

Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook so you can tag @heygrillhey in your Sweet Rub creations. And remember to subscribe to my YouTube channel for step-by-step videos and behind-the-scenes BBQ fun. I can’t wait to see how you bring Sweet Rub to life in your own backyard!

About

FOUNDER/BBQ BOSS LADY

Susie is the BBQ Brain behind the Hey Grill Hey website. Her passion for smoked meats and developing fun, new recipes have landed her on the Food Network, cooking turkeys with Shaq, and on a couple of Guinness World Records. When she’s not grilling, she is hanging out with Todd and their three kids, preferably outdoors!

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