McCormick Grill Mates Applewood Naturally Flavored Rub

McCormick Grill Mates Applewood Naturally Flavored Rub is a familiar sight in the spice aisle and the grilling/condiments bay of American supermarkets, shelved alongside other rubs, steak seasonings, marinades and barbecue sauces. Packaged in a 6 oz plastic bottle with a dual flip-cap designed for shaking or spoon-measuring, it reads as a grab-and-go solution for backyard cooks. The label leans on barbecue culture — “applewood smoke,” savory garlic, and peppery heat — positioning the product for weekend grillers, tailgaters and busy families who want a reliably smoky crust without tending a smoker. Marketing targets home cooks who value convenience and bold flavor rather than artisanal provenance: think suburban barbecues, summer cookouts and game-day feasts. The front-of-pack “naturally flavored” language and the brand’s heritage convey a mild health halo, but there’s no organic certification and the ingredient list includes anti-caking agents, maltodextrin and added flavors. In plain processing terms, this is a manufactured seasoning blend combining spices and functional ingredients to ensure flowability and shelf stability. Sensory details: the rub is a coarse, slightly crystalline mix from demerara sugar and molasses, flecked with dried garlic and peppers; it smells sweet-smoky with a warm cinnamon note and delivers a gritty, caramelizing crust on hot metal. Rituals around its use are tactile and social — shaking it on pork, chicken or ribs before grilling, rubbing it in by hand, or letting it sit overnight to deepen flavor. Nutrition callouts are simple: low-calorie per serving but relatively high in sodium and containing added sugars.