This is the Best Dry Rub for Steak, ribs, and more! It’s the perfect seasoning blend for grilling, pan-searing, or roasting. The intense flavor of this dry rub recipe compliments beef beautifully!
I love cooking out on the grill. Living in Florida, my grill is always out and ready to go! I’m constantly cooking up recipes like Grilled Pork Butt, Picanha Steak, or my favorite Beef Short Ribs.
Whenever I grill out, I use this flavorful dry rub recipe. It’s my favorite dry rub for steak and ribs, but seriously, I could put this steak rub on everything!
After trying plenty of different seasoning blends, I can safely say this is my favorite. In fact, I can guarantee that once you use this blend, you may never buy store-bought dry rubs again. It is that tasty!
🍽 Equipment
Making this dry rub recipe is so simple. You will only need a bowl and something to mix all of the ingredients together with, like a little whisk or fork.
🥘 Ingredients
To make this steak dry rub, you will need just a few simple seasonings that you most likely already have in your pantry.
- 4 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
🔪 Instructions
- Add 4 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons onion powder, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 3 tablespoons sea salt, 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper, 1 tablespoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar to a bowl.
- Give it a good stir to combine, until all spices are completely mixed together. Store in an air-tight container such as a jar.
How easy is that? For such a simple process, I promise you, this is the best BBQ rub you will ever try. I use it for all of my favorite BBQ recipes.
Not only does this rub pair deliciously with any type of meat, but the combination of flavors it gives to the meat always pairs perfectly with your favorite BBQ side dishes, too.
Give it a try on your favorite summer grilling recipes! One taste, and I know you’ll want to use it for everything like I do.
👪 Serving Size
After mixing together, this dry rub recipe will yield a cup of seasoning perfect for using for all your grilling recipes.
It is very easy to scale this recipe up or down – simply halve the amounts for less, and double for more!
🥫 Storing
You can easily store this BBQ rub recipe alongside your other pantry recipes in a mason jar or other air-tight container.
I like to use a mason jar because it stores well, has a pleasing appearance, and takes up very little space in my pantry. I keep it right next to my favorite Garlic Parmesan French Fry Seasoning!
Speaking of which, anything you pair this rib rub recipe with will pair perfectly with my homemade Air Fryer Frozen French Fries or Baked Crispy Potato Wedges. I guarantee it!
🧂 Variations
- Change the spice level. If you like your dry rub recipes on the spicier side, add a teaspoon or two more of the crushed red pepper. If you like it with less spice, take a little bit out.
- Adjust the sweetness. If you like a sweet BBQ rub, you can adjust the sweetness by using a little more brown sugar. For less sweetness, use a little bit less brown sugar. But, I find that 2 tablespoons is the perfect level of sweetness for any BBQ recipe!
📖 Recipes to Try it With
My BBQ rub recipe pairs deliciously with just about everything you can think of. Here are a few of my best steak recipes to enjoy it with:
You will also love this BBQ dry rub with other meats on the grill and even with vegetables. Try these:
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to season a steak?
For best results, a BBQ rub should completely coat the steak before grilling. Here is how to season a steak:
- Sprinkle the steak with your seasoning mixture to coat it.
- Pat the steak down to apply the rub and ensure the seasonings stay on.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
⭐ Family Foodie Tip: After grilling, melt a pat of butter on top of your steak. It will really bring out the flavors of the steak and seasonings and make it extra juicy! Want to make it restaurant-quality? Use our Garlic Butter Sauce recipe! Garlic butter with this seasoning tastes unbelievably good.
When should I put rub on steak?
You can apply dry rub for steak right before grilling.
But, if you have time, you can also apply it your steak ahead of time for greater depth of flavor. See the below question for instructions!
How long do you leave dry rub on steak?
Leave dry rub on a steak for as long as overnight in the refrigerator.
After seasoning, cover the steaks and let them rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to overnight. The steak will soak up the seasoning even more while it rests.
🥗 Side Dishes
Any recipe you pair this rub with will pair deliciously with your favorite BBQ side dishes, too. One of my personal favorites is our Elotes Mexicanos, which I always make alongside my Portuguese Beef Skewers and Beef Short Ribs!
Other perfect choices that complement the flavors of this rub well are cheesy dishes like my Ina Garten Mac and Cheese Recipe or our Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.
📋 Recipe
Best Dry Rub for Steak
🥘 Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
🔪 Instructions
- Add 4 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons onion powder, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 3 tablespoons sea salt, 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper, 1 tablespoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar to a bowl.
- Give it a good stir to combine, until all spices are completely mixed together.
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