What's More Important, the Rub or the Sauce for Ribs?

[Tanko]

Some like only dry rub on their ribs.
Some only like sauce on their ribs.
Some like both --> That's me.

The neighbor is over today to watch football and drink beer. We're having ribs tonight. We're not even a 6 pack into the day and an arguement over what is more important on ribs, the dry rub or the sauce......

I say if your rub sucks, the whole of the ribs will not taste as good. The rub "soaks" into the meat while the sauce is only a topping. He's of the opinion if you don't have a great sauce, your rub doesn't matter.

 

[Tanko]

I realized after posting this thread, the verbage opens it up to be "driven into the perverted ditch" that frequently happens on here.

Hopefully, we keep that to a minimum.
TY

 

[Tanko]

BTW... I don't use store bought rub or sauce.
Always homemade. Recipe handed down through generations of Tankos.....

 

[209life]

Rub

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

Rub, 1000%

Sauce (at least the ‘classic’ red BBQ sauces) is usually at least 60% ketchup anyways, so it doesn’t matter. And like I tell everyone, (and told my dad for years) much like with a good steak - if it’s seasoned and cooked properly - YOU DON’T NEED SAUCE…..

Good game day topic!

 

[JDS]

Both

 

[MinnesotaFats]

What about the wood? That's a huge part of the flavors

 

[Tanko]

Rub, 1000%

Sauce (at least the ‘classic’ red BBQ sauces) is usually at least 60% ketchup anyways, so it doesn’t matter. And like I tell everyone, (and told my dad for years) much like with a good steak - if it’s seasoned and cooked properly - YOU DON’T NEED SAUCE…..

Good game day topic!

My thoughts exactly.
My son-in-law never uses sauce either and his briskets that come out of his Traeger are AMAZING.