Heath Riles BBQ Simple Citrus Rub brings a bright, fresh layer of lemon and savory seasoning to barbecue without relying on fresh zest or juice. The blend combines salt, sugar, MSG, spices, dehydrated garlic, citric acid, crystallized lemon made from lemon oil and lemon juice, lemon peel powder, and turmeric to deliver noticeable citrus flavor with enough savory depth to function as a true seasoning rather than simply a lemon-flavored finishing dust. Heath Riles recommends it for chicken, fish, ribs, and more.

Its versatility extends well beyond traditional barbecue. Heath uses Simple Citrus Rub on salmon, shrimp, scallops, chicken, pork tenderloin, beef, grilled vegetables, and even compound butter. It can stand on its own when a clean citrus profile is wanted or serve as the bright first layer underneath richer seasonings such as Beef Rub, Garlic Butter Rub, or Honey Chipotle Rub. That combination of salt, garlic, lemon, acidity, and savory seasoning makes Simple Citrus especially useful when a heavy, sweet barbecue profile would overpower seafood, poultry, or vegetables.

Key Features

• Bright Citrus Flavor: Crystallized lemon, lemon peel powder, citric acid, and natural flavor create a distinct citrus profile that adds freshness without requiring fresh lemon juice or zest.
• Savory Garlic Foundation: Salt, MSG, spices, and dehydrated garlic balance the citrus with enough savory depth for meat, seafood, and vegetables.
• Excellent On Seafood: Heath uses Simple Citrus Rub on salmon, shrimp, and scallops, where its lemon-forward character complements delicate seafood without burying its natural flavor.
• Built For Poultry: The citrus-garlic profile works especially well on chicken and can be used in marinades, as a surface seasoning, or incorporated into compound butter.
• Effective Layering Rub: Simple Citrus can provide the bright first layer beneath richer seasonings such as Beef Rub, Honey Chipotle Rub, Garlic Butter Rub, and Garlic Jalapeño Rub.
• More Than A Meat Seasoning: Heath uses it on grilled pineapple, vegetables, corn, dips, and compound butter, giving the rub substantial versatility beyond the smoker.
• Backyard & Bulk Sizes: Available in a 16 oz shaker, 2 lb bulk bag, and a shaker-plus-2 lb refill combination for home cooks, competition teams, restaurants, and high-volume barbecue use.

Pro Tips

• Use It As A Base Layer: On beef, Heath has applied Simple Citrus first, allowed it to sweat into the meat, and then followed with Beef Rub, giving the finished profile brightness underneath the heavier beef seasoning.
• Let It Sweat In: For larger cuts, give Simple Citrus approximately 20–30 minutes to hydrate on the meat before adding another seasoning layer or beginning the cook. Heath uses this technique on tri-tip.
• Pair Citrus With Sweet Heat: Heath seasons shrimp and salmon with Simple Citrus followed by Honey Chipotle Rub, combining lemony brightness with sweetness and controlled chile heat.
• Layer With Garlic Butter: Simple Citrus and Garlic Butter Rub make a natural combination for chicken and seafood, adding lemon, garlic, butter, and savory seasoning without needing a traditional sweet barbecue rub.
• Finish Seafood Lightly: After grilling shrimp, Heath adds fresh lime juice and just a small finishing sprinkle of Simple Citrus Rub to refresh the citrus flavor immediately before serving.
• Build A Citrus Compound Butter: Mix Simple Citrus into softened or melted butter with fresh lime or lemon for corn, chicken, seafood, vegetables, or finishing steaks. Heath uses the rub in both citrus-lime butter and chicken compound butter.
• Don't Limit It To Light Proteins: Simple Citrus also works as an underlying seasoning on tri-tip, porterhouse, and prime rib when you want acidity and citrus brightness beneath a more traditional beef profile.