Food & cooking · BBQ
BBQ rub and sauce scaler.
Type your recipe once, then scale it to a new batch size or to the weight of meat you are rubbing.
Inputs
Scaled recipe
Enter the recipe size.
How do I scale a BBQ rub or sauce recipe?
Divide the batch you want by the batch your recipe makes to get a scale factor, then multiply every ingredient by it. The amounts below round to the nearest 1/8 in the fraction column, so keep the decimal for scales and dry measure. Salt, sugar and heat do not always scale perfectly in a sauce: taste after a big scale-up and adjust. This tool does not give a standard amount of rub per pound, since that is a matter of taste; enter the amount your own recipe uses.
Worked example. Your rub recipe makes 12 tbsp. You want to rub 10 lb of meat at 1.5 tbsp per pound, which needs 15 tbsp. The factor is 1.25, so 4 tbsp of paprika becomes 5 tbsp and 1 tbsp of cayenne becomes 1 1/4 tbsp.
Frequently asked questions
How do I double a BBQ rub?
Multiply each ingredient by 2. Enter the amount the recipe makes and the amount you want, and the tool gives the factor.
How much rub per pound of meat?
This page does not set a standard. Enter the amount your own recipe uses per pound; for 10 lb at 1.5 tbsp per pound you need 15 tbsp.
Does a sauce scale the same as a rub?
The arithmetic does, but salt, sugar, vinegar and heat can taste different at a large scale, so taste and adjust.
When do I add BBQ sauce while smoking?
USDA FSIS says to apply sauce during the last 15 to 30 minutes of smoking to prevent excess browning or burning.
Sources
Checked
Arithmetic only. The sauce timing is from USDA FSIS. Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.
Scope
Times and temperatures are estimates; use a probe thermometer and cook to the safe internal temperature. Food safety guidance, not professional advice. If you are pregnant, immunocompromised, elderly or cooking for young children, follow the stricter advice of your health professional.