The BEST Steak Seasoning Recipe (2024)

by Erin

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You’ll never go back to store-bought steak seasoning after trying this Steak Dry Rub! Made from a handful of savory and smoky spices, the rub forms a beautiful crust while infusing your steak with mouthwatering flavors.

The BEST Steak Seasoning Recipe (1)

Jump To

What is dry rub?

Dry rub ingredients

How to make the best steak seasoning

How to apply dry rub to steak

The best steaks for grilling

FAQs

More ways to use this rub

Storing

More dry rubs and seasonings

Steak Dry Rub

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition

When you want to take your steak over the top, slather the meat with this Steak Dry Rub!

Like my dry rub recipes for brisket, tri tip and prime rib, this is a simple dry rub for steak that’s easy to make using a hand-picked selection of warming, smoky spices, savory seasonings, and brown sugar.

With this steak dry rub recipe in your back pocket, you’ll always end up with mouthwatering meat that’s perfectly flavored!

The BEST Steak Seasoning Recipe (2)

What is dry rub?

Dry rubs are just as easy to make at home as they are to find in a grocery store or deli. They’re made from a mixture of various dried herbs, spices, and seasonings, then pressed into the surface of the meat before it’s cooked. This spice blend adds flavor to the meat, as well as creates a delicious seared crust around the exterior.

Dry rub ingredients

  • Kosher salt and black pepper – Adding Kosher salt (or sea salt) to the dry rub will always give you the best results. Its large, coarse granules tenderize the meat fibers and make it easier for the juices to redistribute into the meat after cooking.
  • Garlic and onion powder – This aromatic duo gives the dry rub a distinct savory taste that compliments the beefy flavors.
  • Brown sugar – Similar to my smoked chicken wing rub, brown sugar adds a sweetness that balances out the otherwise savory and smoky spices. Also, as the sugar crystals melt, they form a crisp, caramelized crust around the steak.
  • Paprika and Cumin – For a balance of earthy, smoky, and warming flavors.

How to make the best steak seasoning

All you need to do to make your own dry rub for steak is to whisk all of the ingredients together in a small bowl, and you’re done!

You can use this simple steak rub right away or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for later.

The BEST Steak Seasoning Recipe (3)

How to apply dry rub to steak

Once your dry rub is ready, generously sprinkle the dry rub evenly over the surface of the meat. Use your hands to gently massage and press the spices into the meat, ensuring the steak is evenly coated.

Remember to let the seasoned steak rest on the counter for about 30 minutes before cooking. This gives it time to come down to room temperature and allows the spices to soak into the meat.

The best steaks for grilling

  • Filet Mignon
  • New York Strip Steak
  • Ribeye
  • Porterhouse
  • T-Bone
  • Top Sirloin
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Tips and tricks

  • Use the highest-quality spices you can get your hands on. Grinding whole spices yourself will yield the boldest flavors!
  • Taste the seasoning blend as you go. You can make the rub more smoky, spicy, sweet, etc. by adjusting the quantities of the individual spices.
  • Don’t be stingy with the dry rub! This recipe makes enough to encrust the entire surface of 4 medium sized steaks, plus you’ll have more leftover.

FAQs

Should you rub steak with oil before applying dry rub?

It’s typically not necessary to rub oil on meat before applying a dry rub because the rubs are designed to stick to the natural moisture on the meat’s surface.

What other spices can be added to the dry rub for steak?

Feel free to add other common steak seasonings here, such as chipotle chili powder, ground mustard, red pepper flakes, ground cumin, rosemary, and thyme.

How much of the dry rub should you use?

As a general rule, you’ll want to apply enough dry rub to coat all sides evenly with a dense layer of seasoning. 1 to 1½ tablespoons of dry rub per pound of meat should be plenty. Or, in this case, expect to use approximately 3 to 4½ tablespoons for a 3-pound tri tip steak.

How long should the dry rub sit on a steak before cooking?

Steak should be left to rest for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours before cooking.
If you plan on letting the seasoned steak rest for more than 30 minutes, lay it on a baking sheet and cover it with plastic. Store it in the fridge overnight, then let it come down to room temperature before cooking the next day.

The BEST Steak Seasoning Recipe (5)

More ways to use this rub

While this dry rub is undoubtedly the best steak seasoning, you can also use it to season these proteins:

  • Flank Steak
  • Air Fryer Filet Mignon
  • Chuck Roast
  • Classic Steak Diane
  • Beef Short Ribs
  • Roast Beef
  • Prime Rib Roast
  • Pork Belly
  • Pork Chops
  • Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Chicken Legs
  • Chicken Thighs

Storing

The steak seasoning blend will last up to 6 months when stored in an airtight container in your pantry or spice rack.

More dry rubs and seasonings

  • Prime Rib Rub
  • Shrimp Seasoning
  • Tri Tip Dry Rub
  • Pork Dry Rub
  • Brisket Dry Rub
  • Salmon Dry Rub
  • Cajun Seasoning
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Chili Seasoning
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​​​​Did you make this steak dry rub?

If you loved this dry rub for steak, I would appreciate it if you gave it a ⭐️starred review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

Looking for the best ways to cook your seasoned steak? Try this Traeger Steak recipe or this Sous Vide Ribeye recipe.

The BEST Steak Seasoning Recipe (7)

Steak Dry Rub

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons coarse black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  • Stir all of the spices together in a small bowl. You can use the rub immediately, or keep it in an airtight jar in your pantry for later.

  • When it’s time to apply the dry rub, pat the brisket dry with paper towels and sprinkle the spice mix all over the surface. Use your hands to massage the spices into the meat.

  • As a general guideline, 1 to 2 tablespoons of dry rub per pound of meat is a good starting point. Use as much as it takes to coat the entire surface generously.

  • Place the meat on the kitchen counter for about 30 minutes so it has time to come down to room temperature before cooking. This also gives the spices time to mingle with the meat, developing a more robust, mouthwatering flavor!

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 5250mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1891IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg

The BEST Steak Seasoning Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best seasonings to put on steak? ›

Usually, that seasoning is kosher salt and black pepper, but some recipes call for a steak rub, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and other herbs and spices.

What do chefs season steak with? ›

For the ultimate chef's steak preparation, if you don't have this steak seasoning, marinade your steak with a pink of sea salt, coarse ground black pepper, and minced garlic – this combo gives your chef's steak the ultimate caramelization and nice thick crust that we all love so much.

How does Guy Fieri cook steak? ›

For the steak:
  1. Remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. ...
  2. Season liberally with the dry rub and insert a meat thermometer.
  3. Pre-heat the oven to 225ºF.
  4. Place the steak back on the wire rack and place in the oven until it reaches 125ºF internal temperature.

How long should you season steak? ›

Moral of the story: If you've got the time, salt your meat for at least 40 minutes and up to overnight before cooking. If you haven't got 40 minutes, it's better to season immediately before cooking. Cooking the steak anywhere between three and 40 minutes after salting is the worst way to do it.

How much seasoning do you put on a steak? ›

Use approximately 1 tabelspoon per pound of steak. Dry brine: For the best steaks, let them rest once seasoned for 60-90 minutes uncovered at room temperature, until the kosher salt dissolves and the steaks look dry. To store: Store steak seasoning in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

How do steakhouses season steaks? ›

A classic found in every steak house the world over:
  • 1 tablespoon paprika.
  • 2 tablespoons crushed black pepper.
  • 1 tablespoon crushed coriander.
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt or sea salt.
  • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes.
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic.
  • 1 tablespoon dill.
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion.
Nov 5, 2020

Can I over season steak? ›

Thinner steaks can become too salty if left to season for too long. Watch the Salt: It's possible to overdo it with salt, especially on thinner cuts or if the steak ends up marinating for longer than intended.

Do you oil or season steak first? ›

Seasoning for grilled streaks is to first coat the steak with a neutral oil such as grapeseed oil that has a high smoke point. From there, season the entire surface of the steak with sea salt. Salting the steak is the difference between a restaurant steak and a home-cooked steak.

When should I season my steak? ›

Moral of the story: If you've got the time, salt your meat for at least 40 minutes and up to overnight before cooking. If you haven't got 40 minutes, it's better to season immediately before cooking. Cooking the steak anywhere between three and 40 minutes after salting is the worst way to do it.

What herbs and spices go with steak? ›

Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, and Bay leaves are the best dried herbs to use when cooking beef. To use dried herbs with beef, you should consider which ones you want to include in your recipe and when you should add them.

Should you rub seasoning into steak? ›

Yes, you can use a rub or a marinade with steak. If you plan to grill the steak, a rub is the best option for adding flavor. See below for rub recipes. Steak that has been marinated has more surface moisture which causes it to cook slower over direct heat.

How do you coat steak with seasoning? ›

Now, you make it rain kosher crystals on that meat. Coat both sides of the steak, and its sides, with salt and freshly ground black pepper, so a visible layer of seasoning exists on every surface. The salt shouldn't pile up, but it should coat the meat.

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