The Best Dry Rub for Steak

A good steak doesn’t need much more than a pinch of salt and pepper to season it. But if you want to take it to the next level and add that extra bit of flavor to your steak, this all-purpose rub is for you.

I always take a zip top bag of these with me when we go camping and plan on grilling steaks at our campsite. It smells so good that other campers come over and ask what I’m grilling!

What’s in this spice mix?

What’s in this mix:

• Smoked paprika, for a bit of smoke.
• Dark brown sugar, for a hint of sweetness and molasses.
• Onion and garlic powder for some aromatic notes.
• Oregano, for a hint of herbal green.
• Cumin, for a little down-to-earthness.
• Cayenne, which brings a slight heat but not enough to set your tongue on fire.

Adjust the rub

Like all spice blends, you can customize this one to suit your taste:

• If you like your steak less sweet, reduce the brown sugar or swap it out for an equal amount of coconut sugar to make it paleo-friendly.
• Add dried parsley if you want a more herbal touch.
• Consider adding more pepper or reducing the salt to your own taste.
• Omit the cayenne pepper if you don’t like it spicy.
• Swap out the cumin for coriander if you want a little more citrus flavor.

Old herbs and spices mean less flavor. And for this spice blend, we definitely want newer dried herbs and spices!

Depending on the spice or herb, dried spices and herbs can be kept for around two years if stored correctly. To test its effectiveness, crumble some of the herb or spice into the palm of your hand with your fingers. If you can barely smell it or it smells dusty, it’s time to get some new stuff!

Pro tip: Use an airtight glass jar to mix the ingredients and save yourself the cleanup!

How long does this rub last and how should I store it?

If you used fresh spices, the rub should be stored in an airtight container, clearly dated, for about a year. Keep in mind that the brown sugar may harden a bit in the meantime. This makes the Rub difficult to use and you should make a new batch if this happens.

What it is to be used for

This spice rub goes well with hearty steaks such as ribeyes, New York strip or skirt steak. Avoid using on tender steaks like filet mignon where you want the tender beef flavor to come through. You can also mix it up with meatloaf or burgers if you like!

how to use it

Pat your steak dry with paper towels, then sprinkle a generous amount of rub onto one side of the steak. Use your fingers and hands to rub the spice mixture into the steak. Turn and repeat on the other side.

While you can cook the steak right away, letting it sit at room temperature for an hour will allow the rub to penetrate the meat and give it a more intense flavor. You can even cover it and let it sit in the fridge overnight for a stronger flavor.

Once it’s done, grill or pan fry it as you normally would. You can even sous vide the steak with rub on top, although I would add more rub right before reverse frying.

Curious? Here are more ways to try this rub!

• Season your steak, then learn how to grill the best steak.
• Prepare a sous vide steak – simply season it again before reverse searing and serving.
• Swap out the salt, pepper, and garlic powder in this recipe and use the Rub for Garlic Herb Steak Bites instead.
• This rub is a great addition to a quick and easy seared flank steak.

Three other graters you should know about:

• The best dry rub for fish and seafood
• The best dry rub for ribs
• The best dry rub for chicken