5 Steak Rubs To Unlock Bold Flavors on the Grill

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Cowboy Dry Rub

Experts say all you need to season a steak is salt and pepper… but that’s not my style.

There are so much more fun and flavorful ways to go about it. So, take a look at some of my favorite spice rubs that will take your juicy beef cuts from 0 to 100!

1. Cowboy Dry Steak Rub

We’re starting off strong with a dry rub that will make any cowboy proud. 

It covers all the bases to make your steak as flavorful as you can imagine: tasty spices? Check! A hint of sweetness? check! A little bit of heat? Check! 

This recipe also puts an interesting twist to steak rubs, because believe it or not, it contains a secret ingredient that helps you achieve perfectly crisp and charred crusts every time. 

It’s… ground coffee!

Apart from that, other notable ingredients that make this rub stand out include brown sugar, paprika, and dry mustard. But of course, there’s plenty more to it than just these.

So, if you want to make this seasoning at home, click here.

2. Brown Sugar Mesquite Steak Rub

Brown Sugar Mesquite Steak Rub
Credits: @denosdiner

When it comes to making spice rubs, there are countless ways to experiment. The cowboy seasoning is just one approach, and here’s another.

Much like the first recipe, this blend boasts a complex flavor profile with a balance of sweetness and heat. What sets it apart, though, is the addition of mesquite.

Mesquite isn’t as widely known as other spices, but it’s gaining popularity in the BBQ world—and I’m all for it. 

In case you haven’t heard of mesquite, it’s a type of flour derived from mesquite pods, commonly found in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.

Many recipes use it as a natural sweetener or a healthier alternative to granulated and powdered sugar because of its sweet and smoky flavor.

In this rub, mesquite powder caramelizes the surface of the steak, sealing in moisture and enhancing its juicy richness.

Check out the full recipe: click here

3. Texas Roadhouse-Inspired Steak Rub

Have you ever been to the iconic Texas Roadhouse restaurant? If so, you’ve probably tasted their famous steaks. And do you know what makes them such a hit? 

You guessed it: each beef cut is seasoned with a special (and top secret) rub!

While we can’t replicate their exact blend (since it’s classified), we can definitely come close. So, after some trial and error, I’ve found a recipe that delivers amazing results.

All you need are a few spices: ground black pepper, paprika, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.

Give them a good mix, and you’re ready to season your steak! Yes, it’s that simple. 

Get the full recipe: click here

4. Montreal Steak Rub

Montreal Steak Rub
Credits: @brianthebull 

Looking for bolder flavors to pair with your steak? It doesn’t get much bolder than this.

The Montreal steak rub is a powerhouse blend of gutsy spices. Some key players include smoked paprika, dried garlic, dill seeds, chili flakes, and coriander.

When you generously coat your steak with this dry rub, you can be sure it’ll leave a lasting impression!

Want the step-by-step recipe? Click here

5. Lemon Pepper Steak Rub

Lemon Pepper Spice Rub
Credits: @robinvmiller

There’s really something about combining the zesty flavors of lemon with the salty, smoky taste of steak that just feels right.

While we often think of dry rubs as being packed with spices, sometimes the simplest blends can make such a huge impact. And this recipe is the perfect example of that. 

To make this seasoning, you only need four ingredients: lemon peel, ground peppercorns, kosher salt, and garlic powder.

For more detailed instructions, click here

Spice Up Your Steaks With These Rubs

If you like to keep it simple and flavor your steak with only salt and pepper, that’s great! But, if you want to spice things up a bit and get creative, these seasonings are the way to go!

This list gives you five incredible (yet super easy) recipes to start with. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand your steak rub repertoire and try other more unique flavor combos. 

Featured image credit to @jugglingactmama.

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