The Best Steak Rub & Seasoning Recipe
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Total Time
5 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
510 kcal
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Cuisine
American
The Best Steak Rub & Seasoning Recipe
Description
The Best Steak Rub & Seasoning Recipe uses a combination of kosher salt and brown sugar as a base, which helps to enhance the steak's natural flavors and create a slight crust when cooked. Spices such as cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, and cumin contribute heat, smokiness, earthiness, and aromatic depth. This mix is carefully rubbed onto all sides of steaks with higher fat content, usually 6 oz cuts, and then refrigerated wrapped in plastic wrap to let the flavors penetrate.
The resting period of 6 to 24 hours allows the rub to tenderize and flavor the meat, resulting in a crusty, flavorful exterior and juicy interior upon grilling or pan-frying. Removing steaks from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking helps achieve even cooking temperature.
Choosing kosher salt is important for seasoning balance and texture. Adjusting garlic, onion powder, or brown sugar quantities allows personalization of sweetness or pungency. Using smoked paprika gives the rub a characteristic smoky aroma but can be substituted with plain paprika if unavailable.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs kosher salt
- 2 ½ Tbs brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper crushed
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 4 beef steak 6 oz, higher fat content
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together (except the steaks). Make sure there are no lumps or clumps (brown sugar likes to do that). Take a large pinch of the spice mix between your first three fingers and thumb of your right hand (about ½ teaspoon or so). Sprinkle the mix over the one side of the steak with your right hand and then with your left hand pat and rub the spice mix gently onto one side of the steaks. Turn the steak over and repeat. Repeat for the other steaks. You may save any remaining spice mixture as long as you haven’t contaminated the mix with any of the juices from your steak. Store in a zip lock bag or glass jar with lid.
- Once each side of each steak has been seasoned with the spice mix, wrap the steaks individually in plastic wrap. Place the steaks on a plate and put into the refrigerator. Allow to set for 6 hours – 24 hours before cooking.
- When ready to prepare, remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking and remove the plastic wrap. Grill or pan fry as usual. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Choose kosher salt for the rub; if only table salt is available, use half the quantity.
- You may adjust the amounts of onion powder, garlic powder, or brown sugar to taste, increasing or decreasing sweetness and aroma.
- Smoked paprika provides a smoky flavor, but plain paprika can be used instead.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 510 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 510kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 46g | 92% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 138mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 3610mg | 150% |
| Potassium | 657mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 714IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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