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A Life in Food by real-life Chef Cheryl Bennett

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July 6, 2020

Steak dry rub with coffee

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Looking for a good steak dry rub recipe? You’ve come to the right place. This simple steak rub is a flavor powerhouse that will transform more than just a good steak. For a spicier rub, try my Cajun seasoning.

steak dry rub in glass jar with dried chiles

Why use a rub? Granted, a good quality piece of meat requires little more than salt, pepper and a nice sear, but sometimes you want a little something extra. 

That’s where a good rub comes in. That extra boost of flavor can transform a good steak into possibly one of the BEST steaks you’ve ever had.

If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.

The best steak dry rub

This rub is fantastic on a steak, but don’t stop there. You can use this on burgers, ribs, or in a meatloaf.

I’ve tossed chicken wings in this mixture and they were delicious.

steak dry rub with coffee and brown sugar

For this rub, I use dried chili peppers that I grind up in a small spice grinder or coffee grinder. If you have a mini food processor, that also works well.

In lieu of using dried chilies, you can sub regular chile powder. If you can find dried ancho chili powder, that’s a great option.

How to make homemade steak rub

Making your own steak seasoning could not be easier. Plus, the stuff in the stores can’t even compare to this.

It is fresher and tastier than anything you’ll buy at the market. In addition, it is cheaper and you can customize it to your specific tastes, which makes it perfect.

ingredients for steak rub in bowl

Measure out all of your ingredients into a small bowl. Use fresh spices, that will make a big difference. If you have spices that have been in the back of your cabinet for years, it’s time to replace them.

dried chili peppers in steak seasoning

I use a fine espresso powder for this steak rub. You can see it in the front of the bowl. It is the only one I use, as it is fine enough to become part of the seasoning. Big crystals of dried coffee would be unpleasant.

mixing steak rub ingredients together

Once you’ve measured everything into the bowl, whisk the steak dry rub together and transfer into an airtight container for storing.

Tips for cooking the perfect steak

If you are among the throngs of apartment dwellers with no access to a grill or outdoor space, this is delicious done on a grill pan or even a saute pan.   

For many years, I lived in a shoebox apartment and I’ve cooked many a steak on top of the stove and they are almost just as good.

There are a few key elements to cooking the perfect steak. Keep in mind that what’s perfect for me, may not be perfect for you.

steak on grill

That being said, the following is important no matter what kind of steak you like or how well you like it done.

  • choosing the right cut of meat
  • cooking it properly
  • forming the crust
  • letting it rest.

Steak rub with espresso and brown sugar

My favorite cut is either a ribeye or a strip steak. The ribeye is fattier, the strip is a bit leaner.

Before we proceed, a word about the steak. Fat is FLAVOR. Most people would agree that for this purpose, the ribeye rules. It is nicely marbled, meaning there are little lines of fat running throughout the meat. This will ensure a juicy steak, provided you don’t overcook it. 

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get on with it.

It is best to start with room temperature meat.  It will cook more evenly, so take the steaks out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to cook them.

Start with bone-in steaks, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 in. thick. Pat steaks dry with paper towel,  rub on both sides with steak seasoning. 

Cook over medium-high heat until desired doneness. For me, that is 7 – 8 minutes per side if the steak is 1 1/2 in. thick which is medium-rare. Do not stick it with a fork, don’t slice into it while it’s on the flame.

grilled steak

Once it is cooked, take the steak off of the heat and let steak rest for a few minutes before serving.

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I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting. I love hearing from you!

Did you make this recipe? Tag me on instagram @pookspantry or share it in the Fabulous Foodie Friends Facebook group! I can’t wait to see your version!

Continue to Content
Yield: 3/4 cup

Steak Dry Rub

Steak Dry Rub

This simple steak dry rub is a flavor powerhouse that will transform more than just a good steak.

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp. kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. pulverized dried chili pepper (or chile powder)
  • 2 tsp. ground coffee beans or espresso powder
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard powder (Colman's)
  • 1 tsp. Spanish paprika
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp. granulated onion

Instructions

    1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for steak dry rub and whisk to combine thoroughly.
    2. Store in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

    Notes

    Use fresh spices, older spices don't have much flavor and your blend will be "blah".

    If the brown sugar starts to cake up in your dry rub, break it up as best as you can. If it has become solid, it's time to make a fresh batch.

    Recommended Products

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • SHARDOR Coffee & Spice Grinders 
      SHARDOR Coffee & Spice Grinders 

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    12

    Serving Size:

    1 tbsp.

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 31Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1818mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g

    Nutrition information calculated by a third-party company as a courtesy. It is intended as a guideline only.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

    © Cheryl Bennett
    Cuisine: American / Category: Condiment

    Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

    cheryl

    Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!

    Originally published 9/16/12, most recent update 7/6/20

    Filed Under: Spice blends / Seasonings Tagged With: dry rub, grilling, how to, meat, rub, spices, steak, steak dry rub, steak rub, steak seasoning

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    Reader Interactions

     

    Comments

    1. Jennifer Field says

      September 24, 2012 at 4:10 pm

      Your rub, I digs it:) Gonna share on Da Page, Sis.

      Reply
      • Pook's Pantry says

        September 24, 2012 at 11:43 pm

        Share away Sis! :o)

        Reply
    2. Jamie says

      May 9, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      Fabulous! Now all I need is a grill!

      Reply

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