Homemade Steak Rub Recipe
On March 30, 2020 (Updated May 10, 2024)
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Looking for the best steak rub recipe ever? Look no further! My Homemade Steak Rub is the perfect combination of savory and delicious to add a tasty kick to your steak. This is a great steak rub for grilling steak, meatballs and even meatloaf. Homemade steak rub is a perfect way to add flavor when you are looking for something a little different.
Steak Dry Rub
I’ve grilled up my fair share of steaks, and I’ve always relied pretty heavily on the culinary magic of others to flavor my meats. I’m not opposed to a simple salt and pepper rub when the steak is a good cut, but I do love a good seasoning to mix up the flavors and add some extra love.
Having never ventured into the land of dry rubs before I started BBQing I was pretty unaware how much the right blend of spices and herbs can change the entire flavor of a dish. My homemade steak rub is the result of my journey over the last couple of years. This rub has been tweaked and changed here and there to get the perfect ratios and ingredient amounts. After much trial and error, this steak rub is finally practically perfect.
Best Steak Rub
This rub is a serious favorite as far as a good, solid steak rub. It truly is the best steak rub around. It is savory, just a hint spicy, and has a peppery warmth that really complements beef. I do love this rub on a well marbled rib eye, but it is also pretty awesome on burgers or mixed into meatballs or meatloaf. Even though it’s called a steak rub, feel free to use this on just about any beef you’re grilling or smoking.
This steak rub begins with a salt and pepper base and grows the flavor from there. Crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper add some heat. Next the paprika, crushed coriander seeds, garlic powder, and onion powder round out the flavor to make this steak rub the best of the best.
Steak Rub For Grilling
To make this steak rub in preparation for grilling, simple combine all ingredients in a small bowl, using a fork or whisk to mix well and break up any clumps. You can use this rub immediately, or store in a sealed glass jar for several weeks.
This steak rub also makes great gifts. I like to double or even triple the recipe and give it away to family and friends. This particular batch went to my own Dad as a Father’s Day gift (my sister gave him a package of beautiful steaks) and it was a hit! This steak rub is also great as neighbor gifts at Christmas, a “welcome to the neighborhood” or housewarming present, or just a kind gesture to a friend that loves food!
More Rub Recipes
Using a good rub on meat can make all the difference in the final flavor of your cook. Whether you’re grilling up pork, chicken, or beef, check out these other tasty rub recipes from Hey Grill Hey:
Best Sweet Rub for Pork and Chicken
Best Dry Rub for Ribs
Brisket Rub
Steak Rub Recipe
Homemade Steak Rub
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons paprika
- 1 Tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 Tablespoon crushed coriander seeds (not ground)
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well to combine. Press into steaks or use as desired. Store unused rub in an airtight container for several weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**This post was originally published June 2015. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
My go to seasoning for steaks. Also, recently rubbed it on a tri-tip and cooked it on my pellet smoker. Added a basic mop with olive oil, red wine and garlic. Delicious meal to serve for guests. Now made a double batch and sealed in little mason jars to give as gifts.
I don’t like meatloaf but I LOVE this one
I couldn’t find coriander seeds. How much ground coriander would you substitute or just leave it out?
You can substitute 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander for every 1 teaspoon of whole seed. So this recipe would need 3/4 tablespoon or so of ground!
I am making burger patties in advance to freeze for the summer… think this rub would be ok to add to the ground beef before freeze? If so, how much rub per pound?
Oh yeah! My suggestion would be to just season liberally!
We used this for our steaks this evening and my gosh, it was awesome! Thanks for the recipe!
Great recipe! I would only add a bit of finely ground coffee (I use Turkish grind), preferably a very dark roast. Adds a bit of additional body to it.
Great tip!!
How much do you add? 1 tsp?
Is the coriander amount a tbsp or tsp?
Tablespoon of coriander seeds. Sorry I didn’t notice those letters swapped! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Is it a tablespoon of seeds before or after you crush them???
After they have been crushed.
Hey Susie. What kind of paprika do you like in your streak rub?
Rick
Usually a smoked paprika.