Kendrick BBQ: Rubs, Knives, and a Pitmaster Who Inspires

Every once in a while in the BBQ world, you stumble onto a brand that just feels right. For me, that’s Kendrick BBQ. From rubs that bring out the best in every cut to a signature line of Messermeister knives built for pitmasters, Kendrick BBQ hits the mark. And at the center of it all is Bennie Kendrick—a guy who pours as much passion into the people around him as he does into the food he cooks.

Kendrick BBQ Rubs

Let’s start with the heart of any good BBQ cook—rubs. Bennie keeps things simple with a tight lineup of three, but they cover just about everything I throw on my Traegers.

• All Purpose Rub – True to its name, this is the one I can shake on anything: chicken, pork, beef, even veggies. The balance of salt, pepper, and spices makes it my go-to when I want the smoke and meat to really shine.
• All Meat Rub with Rosemary – This one adds a unique twist. The rosemary comes through just enough to elevate beef and chicken, giving it that herbaceous punch that feels high-end but still backyard-friendly.
• Pork & Poultry Rub – Tailor-made for chicken wings, turkey, ribs, or pork shoulder. It’s got that sweet-savory balance that caramelizes beautifully on the smoker and keeps people coming back for more.

Between the three, I’ve got my bases covered. They’ve earned a permanent spot in my seasoning stash.

Messermeister x Kendrick BBQ Knives

The other piece of the Kendrick BBQ puzzle is Bennie’s collaboration with Messermeister, one of the best knife makers out there. These aren’t just branded blades—they’re built for serious BBQ cooks who want tools that can handle the grind.

• Avanta Kendrick BBQ 8″ Knife – This is my everyday workhorse. Splitting wings, spatchcocking chicken, trimming ribs—this knife does it all. Sharp, balanced, and tough enough to handle anything.
• Avanta Kendrick BBQ 7″ Fillet Knife – Flexible and precise, it’s the one I grab for deboning chicken, trimming ribs, or filleting fish. It makes the detailed stuff way easier.
• Avanta Kendrick BBQ 10″ Scalloped Brisket Knife – The showstopper. When it’s brisket slicing time, this knife glides right through, leaving those perfect, uniform slices every pitmaster wants. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure about a scalloped blade for brisket, but it proved me wrong—it’s legit.

Having the right knives makes prep feel less like work and more like part of the craft. This lineup nails it.

The Man Behind Kendrick BBQ: Bennie Kendrick

What makes Kendrick BBQ special is Bennie himself. Known as the “King of Backyard BBQ,” he’s more than just recipes and products—he’s about living and sharing the BBQ lifestyle.

What stands out to me most is how approachable he is. On social media, he’s built a reputation not just by showing off big cooks, but by connecting with people and building a real community. That authenticity shines through in every post, every rub, and every knife.

My Interaction with Bennie

Here’s the moment that really sealed it for me. After Bennie followed me on Instagram, I sent him a quick message to say thanks and let him know I admired his work. Not only did he respond—he sent me a personal video clip telling me he liked my content and to keep at it.

That kind of gesture might seem small, but it meant a lot. Social media can feel pretty one-sided sometimes, but Bennie took the time to connect. That’s when I knew Kendrick BBQ wasn’t just a brand—it was something I wanted to support that much more.

Final Thoughts

Between the rubs, the Messermeister knives, and the guy leading the charge, Kendrick BBQ is a brand worth following, cooking with, and backing. The products are the real deal, the gear is top-notch, and Bennie Kendrick is as genuine as they come.

If you’re looking to step up your backyard BBQ game, grab one of the rubs, pick up a knife, and follow along with Kendrick BBQ. You won’t regret it.