Dry Rub Steak

It doesn't get any simpler than this:

Pull the steaks out of the refrigerator and let them sit on a clean plate or pan for an hour before grilling. An even meat temperature will make for more even cooking.

When the hour is up, rub the steak with cooking oil (do not spray cooking oil on your grill) and follow with one of the dry rub steak recipes below. Do not put the seasonings on before the coating of cooking oil as most dry rubs include salt and it is believed salt will draw moisture out of the meat.

This was an important tip that changed how I used to prepare my own steaks and made a big difference. You can either brush the oil on with a brush or rub the oil on with your hands (which, although messier, does a great job of spreading the oil around all sides of the meat).

Photo used under Creative Commons from ulterior epicure.

A steak rub is like a marinade with no liquid. It's all seasoning and makes a nice, flavorful crust on your steak. A dry rub is a favorite way to add some unique tastes to your steak without overpowering its own natural flavor.

A dry rub steak recipe is a combination of seasonings which are then literally rubbed onto the steak before putting it on the grill or in the pan. If you've watched any cooking shows, some chefs liberally sprinkle the seasoning on the steak. I used to be appalled at how much seasoning they were piling on but I've slowly been increasing the amount of rub I apply and it has not harmed the flavor - only improved it. Guess those professionals know what they're doing after all! ;)

Apply enough of the steak rub recipe to cover all of the meat but not so thick you can no longer see the meat at all. Remember, you're going to bite through this to get to the steak. You want a little seasoning with your steak, not a little steak with your seasoning.

Photo used under Creative Commons from noonch.

Super simple Steak Rub Recipe

1/4 cup kosher salt
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup coarsely ground black pepper (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced

Peppercorn Steak Rub Recipe

1/4 cup black crushed, fresh peppercorns
3 tablesoons Lime Pepper seasoning

Garlic and Mustard Dry Rub

1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons ground paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Chipotle Pepper Dry Rub for Steak

2 dried chipotle peppers
3 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried cilantro leaves
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground dry orange peel

If you're looking for more than a recipe book about steaks, you can't do better than Barbecue! Bible : Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes .

Author Steven Raichlen teaches you all about flavoring meat with marinades, dry rubs, bastes, and sauces of every type and base for any meat. It's full of information, recipes, and the inspiration to create your own, unique rubs.

Brown Sugar and White Pepper Dry Rub

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons ground white pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder

Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub Recipe

1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons dark chili powder
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon dry Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon dry thyme
1 tablespoon dry sweet basil
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons granulated garlic