Is Meat Church Honey Hog Barbecue Gluten Free? A Complete Analysis

November 10, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the official Meat Church website, their Honey Hog BBQ rub is explicitly labeled as 'Gluten Free'. This crucial detail addresses a common question for those with dietary restrictions: Is meat church honey hog barbecue gluten free? The direct answer is yes, making it a safe choice for many consumers.

Quick Summary

Meat Church Honey Hog barbecue rub is confirmed gluten-free by the manufacturer, ensuring it is safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. This product does not contain any gluten-based ingredients, but careful label-reading is still recommended for all products.

Key Points

Official Gluten-Free Status: Meat Church Honey Hog is explicitly labeled as gluten-free by the manufacturer, confirming its safety for a gluten-free diet.
Safe Ingredients: The rub's formula is free of wheat, barley, and rye, relying on ingredients like sugar, honey powder, and spices for flavor.
Minimal Cross-Contamination Risk: While produced in a shared facility, the 'gluten-free' label indicates compliance with FDA standards of less than 20 ppm of gluten.
Variety of Options: Meat Church offers other popular rubs, such as Holy Cow, that are also gluten-free, providing choice for different flavor profiles.
Best Practices for Safety: Always verify the 'gluten-free' label on the package and be cautious of 'may contain' warnings to ensure ongoing safety.
Versatile Use: Honey Hog's sweet profile makes it ideal for pork, poultry, and vegetables, broadening its use for any barbecue enthusiast.

The Definitive Answer: Is Honey Hog Gluten Free?

Yes, Meat Church Honey Hog BBQ rub is officially labeled as a gluten-free product. The company ensures its product formulations are transparent for consumers. For those with a gluten-free diet, including individuals with celiac disease, this labeling is important. The rub's ingredients do not include wheat, barley, or rye, which are common sources of gluten.

Ingredient Breakdown

The components of Honey Hog contribute to its gluten-free status:

Sweeteners: Sugar and honey powder, which is derived from refined syrup and honey, not gluten-containing grains.
Flavorings: Salt, spices (like paprika), dextrose, dehydrated garlic, and celery.
Other: Silicon dioxide acts as an anti-caking agent, and spice extractives provide concentrated flavor.

Cross-Contamination and Manufacturing Precautions

Meat Church produces its seasonings in a central facility. The 'gluten-free' label is generally reliable for most consumers. However, those with severe celiac disease who are highly sensitive to trace amounts of gluten may consider contacting the company for details on manufacturing processes. The FDA standard for a 'gluten-free' label requires less than 20 parts per million of gluten, which is typically safe for individuals with celiac disease.

Comparison: Meat Church Honey Hog vs. Holy Cow

Here's a comparison of Honey Hog and another gluten-free Meat Church rub, Holy Cow:


Feature	Meat Church Honey Hog	Meat Church Holy Cow
Gluten Status	Gluten-Free	Gluten-Free
MSG Status	No MSG	No MSG
Flavor Profile	Sweet and balanced, good for pork, poultry, vegetables.	Savory and beef-focused, good for brisket, steaks.
Primary Use	Pork, Poultry, Vegetables	Beef, Chicken, Burgers

Both rubs are gluten-free but offer distinct flavor profiles and suggested uses.

Other Gluten-Free Barbecue Rubs

Many other gluten-free barbecue rubs are available:

Killer Hogs: The original BBQ Rub is generally gluten-free.
Lane's BBQ: Offers various gluten-free rubs, such as 'Q-Nami'.
Hardcore Carnivore: All rubs are MSG and gluten-free, including 'Camo'.

Reading Labels for Celiac Safety

It's important to check product labels, especially for those with celiac disease:

Look for 'Gluten Free': This label means the product meets FDA standards.
Check Ingredients: Scan for wheat, barley, or rye.
Avoid 'May Contain' Warnings: These indicate potential cross-contamination risk.

For more information on gluten-free label reading, visit the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Meat Church Honey Hog barbecue rub is confirmed to be gluten-free. Its ingredient list is free of gluten-containing grains, and the product is labeled accordingly. This sweet and balanced rub is a safe choice for a gluten-free diet and can be used on various meats and vegetables. Always checking product labels is a good practice to ensure safety, particularly for individuals managing celiac disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Meat Church Honey Hog is considered safe for individuals with celiac disease, as it is officially labeled gluten-free by the manufacturer and contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten, the standard set by the FDA.

No, the product's listed ingredients do not contain any hidden sources of gluten. The manufacturer is transparent about the ingredients, which include sugar, honey powder, and spices, all of which are gluten-free.

The main ingredients are sugar, salt, honey powder, a blend of spices (including paprika), dextrose, dehydrated garlic, and celery.

Yes, like the original Honey Hog, the 'Honey Hog Hot' variation, which includes jalapeno, is also listed as gluten-free by the company.

Many other Meat Church rubs, including Holy Cow, The Gospel, and Texas Sugar, are also labeled gluten-free. It is best to check the specific product label for confirmation.

Meat Church produces its seasonings in a single facility. While this creates a low risk of cross-contamination for most, the 'gluten-free' label is compliant with FDA rules. Individuals with severe celiac disease who are extremely sensitive to minute traces should evaluate their personal risk tolerance.

Always check for an explicit 'Gluten Free' label. If absent, read the ingredients list carefully for wheat, barley, rye, or malt. Avoid products with 'may contain' warnings, as they carry a risk of cross-contamination.