New York Steak Rub

Name: New York Steak Rub
Prep time: 240 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 246 min
Ingredients: 4 Choice New York Steaks; canola oil ((or vegetable oil) to taste); kosher salt (to taste); 1 tsp. paprika; 1 tsp. ground mustard; 1 tsp. granulated garlic ((dried garlic flakes or garlic powder work great too)); 1 tsp. brown sugar; 1/2 tsp. cumin; 1/2 tsp. cayenne; 1/2 tsp. pepper

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

This Dry Steak Rub gives just the right amount of sweet and spicy flavor to a New York Steak. Add the rub, wait 4 hours, then grill to perfection!

Two cuts of steak rubbed with a dry rub on a cutting board

Best Steak Rub

This is the second time we have made this New York Steak Rub, and both times turned out amazing! We tried these steaks out with company recently and they were a huge success! Now let me specify, if you are going to make this recipe please PLEASE spend the extra money to get a good cut of meat. Luckily, these steaks were actually on sale at our grocery store last week, so we got Choice grade New York steaks. Trust me, it really does make a difference!

Dry Rub Vs. Marinade – Which Is Better?

It really comes down to what you are trying to do and what you are using your steak for. I like using steak marinade when I need the steak to be tenderized or if I am slicing the steak before cooking (for stir fry, fajitas, etc…) For everything else, I always use a dry rub. I like having a flavorful, seared, “crust” on my steak. Here’s a little breakdown for you to help you decide which way to go:

Dry Rub

Great for grilling, smoking, or roasting most meats.
Creates a flavorful “crust” when seared or grilled, holding in all those juices and keeping the steak from drying out.
Better for flavoring tender, good cuts of meat (such as a New York strip steak, filet or tenderloin, T-bone, Porterhouse, etc…

Marinade

Great for recipes using sliced or cubed steak such as stir fry, fajitas, carne asada, kabobs, teriyaki beef, etc…
Tenderizes tougher cuts of meat (depending on the marinade).
Flavor can soak slightly deeper into the steak before cooking.

A bowl of spices to make a dry rub for grilled steak

What Spices Are In A Steak Rub?

There are thousands of possible spice combinations when it comes to a dry rub. We use a simple combination of spices that can be found in most pantries, including paprika, ground mustard, dried garlic, brown sugar, cumin, cayenne, and ground black pepper. We love this flavor combination because it is savory, slightly sweet, and has a little kick of heat (don’t worry, not too much).

4 pieces of steak on the grill marinated with the New York Steak Rub

Dry Rub Does Not Mean Dry Steak

It’s quite the opposite actually. A dry rub can help create a crust when you sear the steak and actually holds juices in. After cooking the steak and allowing it to rest, it will be tender and infused with flavor.

Tricks of the Trade

When using this steak rub, or cooking any kind of steak, the key is to avoid overcooking your steak. Leave some pink in the center. Trust me, it just tastes better. One of the better investments we have made (which was actually really cheap) was buying a meat thermometer. Cutting into your steak to see if it is done lets out the juices and will kill the flavor, don’t do it! The best method is to cook each side, turning only once or twice, then allow the steaks to cool for 5 minutes once they are off the grill before you ever cut into it. This keeps the juices in and keeps your steak tasting AMAZING! Here is a temperature guide for steak:

Rare – 120-degrees F
Medium Rare – 130-degrees F
Medium – 140-degrees F
Medium Well- 150-degrees F
Well Done – 160-degrees F +

Dry rub being sprinkled onto a cut of uncooked steak

FAQs

How long do you leave dry rub on steak?

40 minutes to 4 hours is ideal. You can even keep it on overnight. You just want the rub to be on the steak long enough to infuse it with flavor.

How do you get a dry rub to stick?

By patting the steak dry and then adding a very thin layer of oil, you can create a nice surface for the dry rub to stick to.

What else can I use this rub on?

This rub will taste great on chicken, pork, fish, and even grilled vegetables!

Go Ahead, Grill!

Looking for more great reasons to fire up the grill? Check out these fabulous grill recipes.

Steak salad with bleu cheese sprinkles and blue cheese dressing drizzled on top — Steak Salad

Steak Salad with Blue Cheese and Avocados is a great main dish salad, full of flavor.
Steak Kabobs with veggies and avocado sauce creates a slightly spicy flavor, tempered perfectly by the cool flavor of the avocado sauce.
Grilled Steak Street Tacos are bursting with flavor. Tender steak combined with simple ingredients wrapped in corn or flour tortillas. Taco Tuesday can’t come soon enough!
Parmesan Garlic Grilled Potatoes are the perfect BBQ side dish. Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, or fish. A must for your next summer supper!

How To Make Steak Dry Rub