Good BBQ flavor doesn’t start at the grill. It starts in the pantry, usually the night before, with a rub or a seasoning that’s been sitting in a jar waiting for exactly this moment. The grill is just where the work gets finished.

This is my complete BBQ seasoning resource — every homemade blend, dry rub, and pantry mix I use for burgers, steaks, ribs, chicken, seafood, sides, and cookout snacks. Everything is built from pantry spices. No packets, no mystery ingredients, no spending $7 on a bottle that’s half salt.

Bookmark this page. Come back when you’re planning a cookout, prepping for the week, or filling mason jars for someone who grills. It’s all here.

Burger and Steak Seasonings

These are the blends that belong next to every grill. Whether you’re pressing patties, searing steaks, or running kabobs, these are the seasonings that decide how the cookout tastes.

Burger Seasoning

A solid all-purpose burger seasoning for patties, sliders, meatballs, grilled potatoes, and cheeseburger bowls. The one that earns a permanent spot by the grill. https://thisoldbaker.com/burger-seasoning/

Copycat Grill Mates Burger Seasoning Mix

Brings the bold, smoky Grill Mates flavor to homemade patties without the store-bought bottle. Built for grilled burgers, smash burgers, and summer meal prep. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-grill-mates-burger-seasoning-mix/

Copycat McCormick’s Smash Seasoning

Smash burgers cook fast and live or die by that crispy seared crust. This blend is calibrated for it. Works on Blackstone burgers, griddle cooking, and skillet-style meals. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-mccormicks-smash-seasoning/

Copycat Montreal Steak Seasoning

Bold, peppery, steakhouse-grade. The blend for steaks, burgers, kabobs, potatoes, and grilled vegetables when you want a serious crust. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-montreal-steak-seasoning/

BBQ Rubs and Smoker Favorites

Dry rubs are where BBQ actually starts. Apply them hours or overnight ahead, let the salt work, and you’ll have flavor built into the meat before the first piece of wood catches. These are the blends I reach for when the cooking matters.

Texas Style Dry Rub

Salt and black pepper doing serious work, the way Texas BBQ intends. Built for brisket, beef ribs, steaks, and smoked meats that don’t need anything else. https://thisoldbaker.com/texas-style-dry-rub/

Kansas City Rib Rub

Sweet, smoky, and built for ribs — but equally strong on pulled pork, chicken, and classic BBQ plates. The crowd-pleaser in the rub section. https://thisoldbaker.com/kansas-city-rib-rub/

South Carolina Mustard Dry Rub

Tangy and mustard-forward — Carolina-style BBQ flavor for pork, chicken, ribs, and smoked meats. A different direction from the sweet-smoke category. https://thisoldbaker.com/south-carolina-mustard-dry-rub/

Pork Rub Seasoning

One of the most versatile rubs to keep stocked. Pork chops, pulled pork, ribs, tenderloin, smoked shoulder — this covers all of it. https://thisoldbaker.com/pork-rub-seasoning/

Copycat Kinder’s Brown Sugar BBQ Rub

Sweet-smoky with that classic BBQ caramelized crust. Strong on ribs, pork, chicken, and grilled vegetables where you want the sweetness to do work. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-brown-sugar-bbq-rub/

Copycat Kinder’s Hickory Brown Sugar Rub and Seasoning

Hickory smoke meets brown sugar for a rub that belongs on the smoker, at the grill, and in foil packets. Ribs, pulled pork, and grilled chicken all take it well. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-hickory-brown-sugar-rub-seasoning/

BBQ Popcorn Seasoning

The BBQ flavor in a shaker. Works on popcorn but equally good on fries, snack mixes, roasted nuts, and cookout party bowls. https://thisoldbaker.com/bbq-popcorn-seasoning/

Chicken and Poultry Seasonings

Chicken is the most-cooked protein at any backyard cookout and the one people are most likely to under-season. These blends fix that — from mild and herb-forward to Nashville hot and everything between.

Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning

Classic savory chicken flavor built for grilled chicken, roasted chicken, meal prep, and chicken salad from leftovers. The reliable everyday option. https://thisoldbaker.com/rotisserie-chicken-seasoning/

Copycat KFC Seasoning Mix

Herb-forward comfort-food seasoning for chicken, breaded cutlets, oven-fried meals, and summer chicken sandwiches. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kfc-seasoning-mix/

Copycat Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning

Real cayenne heat with brown sugar caramelization and smoked paprika color. The technique matters: mix into hot frying oil and brush over hot fried chicken for the authentic experience. Works on wings, grilled chicken, and spicy cookout plates. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-nashville-hot-chicken-seasoning/

Turkey Seasoning Rub

Not just for November. Works on turkey burgers, grilled turkey tenderloin, chicken, vegetables, and sheet pan meals year-round. https://thisoldbaker.com/turkey-seasoning-rub/

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Bright, citrusy, and built for grilled chicken, seafood, vegetables, wings, and summer pasta salads. The clean counterpart to the bold smoky rubs. https://thisoldbaker.com/lemon-pepper-seasoning/

Garlic Herb Complete Seasoning Mix

The true all-purpose kitchen workhorse. Chicken, vegetables, potatoes, seafood, pasta salad, and grilled bread all work with this one. https://thisoldbaker.com/garlic-herb-complete-seasoning-mix/

Copycat Kinder’s Seasonings

Kinder’s makes some of the most-reached-for seasoning bottles on grocery store shelves. These homemade versions replicate the blends you already love — at a fraction of the cost, with ingredients you can actually name.

20+ Copycat Kinder Seasonings You Can Make at Home

The full roundup of homemade Kinder-inspired blends — every one I make, in one place. Start here.https://thisoldbaker.com/20-copycat-kinder-seasonings-you-can-make-at-home/

Copycat Kinder’s The Blend Mix

Salt, pepper, granulated garlic. Three ingredients that belong beside every grill and get used every day. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-the-blend-mix/

Copycat Kinder’s All-Purpose Seasoning

Balanced, buttery, and versatile. The blend you reach for when you don’t have a specific flavor direction and want it to just be right on meats, vegetables, and potatoes. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-all-purpose-seasoning/

Copycat Kinder’s All-Purpose Meat and Veggie Rub

Grill-friendly and broad. Meats, vegetables, foil packets, and easy summer dinners all work with this one. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-all-purpose-meat-veggie-rub/

Copycat Kinder’s The Steak Blend

Bold, savory, and peppery — no butter, no sweetness. The blend for steaks, burgers, kabobs, and grilled onions when you want confident all-around beef seasoning. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-the-steak-blend/

Copycat Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse Seasoning

Rich and buttery steakhouse flavor for steaks, burgers, potatoes, mushrooms, and vegetables. Rounded where the Steak Blend is direct. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-buttery-steakhouse-seasoning/

Copycat Kinder’s Butcher’s Burger Blend

Pepper-forward and clean. Built for backyard cookouts and smash burgers when you want the beef to lead and the seasoning to support it. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-butchers-burger-blend/

Copycat Kinder’s Buttery Burger Blend

Buttery, garlicky, and umami-forward. Mix into ground beef before forming patties and use as a surface rub. Strong on turkey burgers too. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-buttery-burger-blend/

Copycat Kinder’s Grilled Chicken Seasoning

Designed specifically for chicken — the herbs are calibrated for poultry, not borrowed from an all-purpose blend. Strong on the grill, in the air fryer, and for freezer chicken prep. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-grilled-chicken-seasoning/

Copycat Kinder’s The Fajita Blend

Citrusy, cumin-forward, and built for high-heat cooking. Fajitas, tacos, grilled peppers and onions, steak, chicken, and shrimp. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-the-fajita-blend/

Copycat Kinder’s The Greek Blend

Oregano-forward with lemon brightness and herb depth. Skewers, vegetables, potatoes, seafood, and rice bowls. Also excellent for freezer chicken prep. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-the-greek-blend/

Copycat Kinder’s Brown Butter Garlic Seasoning

The toasted, nutty, caramelized butter version. Best on roasted vegetables, pasta, potatoes, steak, and grilled bread. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-brown-butter-garlic-seasoning/

Copycat Kinder’s Buttery Garlic and Herb

Clean and mild — the Tuesday-night workhorse. Grilled chicken, vegetables, potatoes, seafood, and pasta. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-buttery-garlic-herb/

Copycat Kinder’s Caramelized Onion Butter

That sweet, slow-cooked onion depth without the 45 minutes of stirring. Burgers, steak, potatoes, mushrooms, and mashed potatoes. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-caramelized-onion-butter/

Copycat Kinder’s Cowboy Butter

Bold and zesty with herbs, garlic, and butter. Stir into melted butter for a basting sauce or shake directly onto hot food. Steak, shrimp, chicken, vegetables, and potatoes. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-cowboy-butter/

Copycat Kinder’s Woodfired Garlic

The smoke blend. Smoked paprika is the lead note — it delivers campfire-adjacent depth on anything going over direct heat. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-woodfired-garlic/

Copycat Kinder’s Honey Mustard Seasoning

Sweet and tangy for chicken, pork, potatoes, vegetables, and dipping sauces. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-honey-mustard-seasoning/

Copycat Kinder’s Honey Chipotle

Honey powder leading, chipotle heat building behind it. Chicken, pork, ribs, shrimp, and grilled vegetables. Also works as a wet glaze mixed with liquid honey. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-honey-chipotle/

Copycat Kinder’s Red Jalapeño Garlic

Garlic first, jalapeño heat second. Rounded and warm rather than sharp. Burgers, tacos, chicken, potatoes, and grilled vegetables. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-red-jalapeno-garlic/

Copycat Kinder’s Steakhouse Potato Seasoning

Calibrated specifically for potatoes — smoked paprika, rosemary, and brown sugar in proportions that produce a caramelized crust on roasted or air-fried potatoes. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-steakhouse-potato-seasoning/

Copycat Kinder’s Korean BBQ

Sweet, savory, and slightly smoky. Beef, chicken, pork, skewers, and rice bowls. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-kinders-korean-bbq/

Tex-Mex and Taco Night Blends

Tex-Mex is summer cookout food. Taco bowls, fajitas, elote, walking tacos — these blends belong at the table from May through September.

Taco Seasoning Mix

The pantry essential. Taco bowls, taco salads, walking tacos, grilled chicken tacos, beef tacos, and quick summer dinners. https://thisoldbaker.com/taco-seasoning-mix/

Cheesy Taco Seasoning Mix

Cheesy taco flavor built for beef, chicken, rice bowls, pasta bakes, and kid-friendly taco night. https://thisoldbaker.com/cheesy-taco-seasoning-mix/

Fajita Seasoning

Cumin-forward, citrus-bright, and built for high heat. Sizzling peppers, onions, chicken, steak, shrimp, and sheet pan fajita meals. https://thisoldbaker.com/fajita-seasoning/

Chili Powder Seasoning

Homemade chili powder works far beyond chili. Add it to burgers, rubs, taco meat, beans, grilled corn, and BBQ sauces. https://thisoldbaker.com/chili-powder-seasoning/

Enchilada Sauce Mix

A dry sauce mix for quick Tex-Mex dinners, chicken enchiladas, rice bowls, and leftover grilled meat. https://thisoldbaker.com/enchilada-sauce-mix/

Elote Seasoning Mix

Grilled corn season needs this. Use on corn, potatoes, popcorn, fries, vegetables, and creamy dips. https://thisoldbaker.com/elote-seasoning-mix/

Copycat Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Mix

Salt-free Southwest blend for chicken, vegetables, potatoes, rice bowls, and grilled meats. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-mrs-dash-southwest-chipotle-seasoning-mix/

Seafood and Coastal BBQ Seasonings

Shrimp boils, grilled fish, seafood skewers, fish fry baskets — these are the blends that belong at the cookout table when seafood is on the menu.

Copycat Red Lobster Signature Seafood Seasoning

Shrimp, seafood boils, potatoes, corn, grilled fish, and coastal-style cookout meals. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-red-lobster-signature-seafood-seasoning/

Fish Fry Seasoning

Built for fried fish but works on grilled fish, shrimp, fries, hush puppies, and summer seafood baskets. https://thisoldbaker.com/fish-fry-seasoning/

Copycat Slap Ya Mama Seasoning

Bold Cajun flavor for seafood, chicken, potatoes, corn, rice, and shrimp boils. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-slap-ya-mama-seasoning/

Copycat Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning

Creole-inspired blend for shrimp, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, gumbo-style meals, and seafood boils. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-tony-chacheres-creole-seasoning/

Potato, Vegetable, and Side Dish Seasonings

The sides are where people go back for seconds. These are the blends that make grilled corn, roasted potatoes, pasta salad, and foil packets taste like the main event.

French Fry Seasoning Mix

One of the best cookout seasonings for fries, potato wedges, roasted potatoes, burgers, grilled corn, and snack trays. https://thisoldbaker.com/french-fry-seasoning-mix/

Vegetable Seasoning Mix

Makes grilled zucchini, squash, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and foil packet vegetables easier and more flavorful. https://thisoldbaker.com/vegetable-seasoning-mix/

Homemade Yellow Rice Seasoning Mix

Turns plain rice into a flavorful BBQ side dish for grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, pork, steak, and rice bowls. https://thisoldbaker.com/homemade-yellow-rice-seasoning-mix/

Copycat Knorr Mi Arroz Red Rice Seasoning Mix

Flavorful rice that works with grilled chicken, taco bowls, burrito bowls, beans, and summer side dishes. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-knorr-mi-arroz-red-rice-seasoning-mix/

Copycat Knorr’s Vegetable Recipe Mix

Dips, pasta salads, vegetable sides, rice dishes, casseroles, and cookout spreads. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-knorrs-vegetable-recipe-mix/

Dry Onion Soup Mix

A cookout staple for burgers, dips, potatoes, meatloaf, roasts, and slow cooker BBQ-style meals. https://thisoldbaker.com/dry-onion-soup-mix/

Garlic Bread Seasoning Mix

Grilled bread, garlic toast, pasta salad, potatoes, vegetables, and Italian-style summer sides. https://thisoldbaker.com/garlic-bread-seasoning-mix/

Pizza Seasoning Mix

Grilled pizza, pizza burgers, pasta salad, garlic bread, vegetables, and tomato-based summer dishes. https://thisoldbaker.com/pizza-seasoning-mix/

Pasta Salad Seasoning Mix

Cookout pasta salad deserves its own blend. Fast, flavorful cold salads for summer gatherings. https://thisoldbaker.com/pasta-salad-seasoning-mix/

Sandwich Seasoning

Subs, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, sliders, and picnic-style meals. The finishing shake that makes a sandwich taste like it came from somewhere good. https://thisoldbaker.com/sandwich-seasoning/

Copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning

Warm and balanced — the all-purpose seasoning that works on vegetables, chicken, potatoes, eggs, and burgers without having a strong opinion. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-mortons-natures-seasoning/

Copycat Dan-O’s Seasoning

Herb-forward and low sodium. Grilled chicken, vegetables, potatoes, eggs, and quick summer meals. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-danos-seasoning/

Cookout Party, Snack, and Dip Seasonings

The snack table at a cookout gets picked over before the main event is even done. These are the blends that make that happen — dips, popcorn, nuts, and snack mixes that disappear fast.

Buttermilk Ranch Mix

Ranch belongs at every cookout. Dips, pasta salads, potato salad, chicken marinades, and veggie trays. https://thisoldbaker.com/buttermilk-ranch-mix/

Ranch Dressing Mix

Dressings, dips, pasta salads, potatoes, and grilled chicken.https://thisoldbaker.com/ranch-dressing-mix/

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Burger buns, grilled bread, dips, cream cheese spreads, potatoes, and snack boards. https://thisoldbaker.com/everything-bagel-seasoning/

Copycat Einstein Bros. Everything Bagel Seasoning

Dips, sandwiches, grilled breads, and summer snack trays. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-einstein-bros-everything-bagel-seasoning/

Hot Honey Seasoning Mix

Sweet heat that caramelizes. Chicken, wings, grilled shrimp, roasted nuts, fries, and summer snack mixes. https://thisoldbaker.com/hot-honey-seasoning-mix/

Nacho Cheese Popcorn Seasoning

Real cheddar powder, tomato, citric acid, and smoky spice. Popcorn, fries, snack mixes, chips, and potatoes. https://thisoldbaker.com/nacho-cheese-popcorn-seasoning/

Dill Pickle Popcorn Seasoning

Tangy, briny, and oddly addictive. Popcorn, fries, potato chips, snack mixes, and the pickle lovers at the cookout table. https://thisoldbaker.com/dill-pickle-popcorn-seasoning/

Cajun Kick Popcorn Seasoning Mix

Spicy snack seasoning for popcorn, fries, potatoes, roasted nuts, and party mixes. https://thisoldbaker.com/cajun-kick-popcorn-seasoning-mix/

Pantry Sauce Mixes and Meal Starter Blends

The blends that build dinners rather than just season them. These are the mixes that turn grilled meat leftovers, pantry staples, and a few extra ingredients into actual meals.

Dry BBQ Sauce Mix with 4 Flavors

A shelf-stable dry BBQ sauce mix for quick sauces, grilled meats, pulled pork, chicken, and summer meal prep. https://thisoldbaker.com/dry-bbq-sauce-mix-with-4-flavors/

Copycat Swiss Chalet Dipping Sauce Dry Mix

Savory dipping sauce for chicken, potatoes, sandwiches, fries, and roast-style summer dinners. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-swiss-chalet-dipping-sauce-dry-mix/

Au Jus Mix

French dip sandwiches, roast beef, steak sandwiches, beef sliders, and rich savory gravies. https://thisoldbaker.com/homemade-au-jus-mix/

Beef Bouillon Seasoning

Gravies, sauces, rice, soups, stews, roasts, and beefy summer skillet meals. https://thisoldbaker.com/beef-bouillon-seasoning/

Beef Stew Seasoning

Not just for cold months. Beef tips, pot roast, camp-style meals, foil packet dinners, and hearty grill-night sides. https://thisoldbaker.com/beef-stew-seasoning/

Copycat McCormick’s Pot Roast Seasoning

Savory packet replacement for roasts, slow cooker beef, shredded beef sandwiches, and meal prep. https://thisoldbaker.com/copycat-mccormicks-pot-roast-seasoning/

Meatloaf Seasoning Mix

Meatloaf, burgers, meatballs, stuffed peppers, and beefy summer casseroles. https://thisoldbaker.com/meatloaf-seasoning-mix/

Sloppy Joe Seasoning

Summer sandwiches, ground beef meal prep, sliders, and easy backyard dinners. One jar per pound of beef, done in 15 minutes. https://thisoldbaker.com/sloppy-joe-seasoning/

Stroganoff Sauce Mix

Quick skillet dinners, beef leftovers, noodles, and comfort-food meal prep.https://thisoldbaker.com/stroganoff-sauce-mix/

Dry Spaghetti Sauce Mix

Grilled meatball subs, pasta bakes, pizza-style dishes, and quick tomato sauces. https://thisoldbaker.com/dry-spaghetti-sauce-mix/

Spaghetti Seasoning

Italian-style seasoning for pasta, grilled pizza, meatballs, sauces, and garlic bread. https://thisoldbaker.com/spaghetti-seasoning/

Stuffing Seasoning Mix

Savory herb blend for chicken, pork chops, vegetables, casseroles, and old-fashioned side dishes. https://thisoldbaker.com/stuffing-seasoning-mix/

Classic Italian Sausage Seasoning Mix

Homemade sausage, burgers, meatballs, pasta sauce, grilled peppers, and Italian-style cookout meals. https://thisoldbaker.com/classic-italian-sausage-seasoning-mix/

Breakfast Sausage Seasoning

Brunch cookouts, breakfast skillets, freezer meals, and homemade sausage patties. https://thisoldbaker.com/breakfast-sausage-seasoning/

Dry Breakfast Skillet Base

Breakfast skillets, griddle meals, camping breakfasts, and weekend brunch spreads.https://thisoldbaker.com/dry-breakfast-skillet-base/

Teriyaki Seasoning and Rub

Sweet-savory for grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, pork, rice bowls, skewers, and vegetables. https://thisoldbaker.com/teriyaki-seasoning-and-rub/

Guacamole Dry Mix

Quick guacamole, avocado spreads, tacos, burgers, wraps, and summer appetizer trays. https://thisoldbaker.com/guacamole-dry-mix/

Why a Homemade Seasoning Pantry Changes How You Cook

The difference between a good cookout and a great one usually isn’t the grill or the protein. It’s whether the flavor was decided in advance. When your pantry has the right blends already made and labeled, you season the chicken the night before, you know exactly what’s on the ribs before they go on the smoker, and you’re not rummaging through the spice cabinet twenty minutes before people arrive.

That’s what a homemade seasoning pantry does. One jar replaces multiple store packets. You control the salt, the heat, and the sweetness. And the cost per batch is a fraction of what you’d spend on bottled blends used one or two times before they go stale.

These blends work for every format of summer cooking — backyard BBQ, grilled burgers and steaks, chicken marinades and dry rubs, smoked ribs and pork, seafood boils and shrimp skewers, potato wedges and fries, grilled corn and vegetables, rice bowls and taco bowls, pasta salads, camping meals, and Blackstone cooking. They also make good gifts for people who grill.

Build the pantry once. Season everything better all summer.

Frequently Asked Questions