Steak is a food that could remind you of so many celebrations in life. Hence, this article is going to be something you longed for since we will be showing you the ideal way how to dry rub steak for grilling.
The dry rub can be applied directly to the meat using both hands. While you sprinkle the rub with one hand, pat it down on the steak with the other. Some prefer allowing the rub to sit on the steak for 40 minutes to two hours, while some keep it overnight.
You will be a grilling pro by the end of this feature, so don’t skip any of the sections!
How To Dry Rub Steak For Grilling- The Explanation
As we mentioned on top, having a flavorful dry-rubbed grilled steak is absolutely nothing when you know the suitable approaches to work with your dry rub!
There are many varieties of steak consumed around the world like goat, bison, sheep, turkey, etc. But, in our article, we will be aiming at the beefsteak, which is famous for grilling in many countries.
01 – Choosing Your Steak
We suggest that you should go for a thicker cut of steak. The main reason for this is that thin cuts can be easily overpowered by the flavors of the dry rub you use.
Try to choose a well-marbled steak with less or no connective tissues. Sirloin, t-bone, ribeye, New York strip steak are great options to pick!
02 – Preparing The Meat
Take your piece of meat out from the refrigerator and allow it to defrost completely. Clean it, and then using a paper towel, just pat dry the surface to wipe away excess moisture and any contaminants.
Well, the pat drying part is not really necessary. But it will count something to you if you are concerned about the moisture level and invisible bacteria on the meat surface.
03 – Applying The Dry Rub
Place the piece/pieces of steak in a tray not to get things so messy. Then while you sprinkle the rub onto the meat with one hand, rub it well with the other.
We know you aren’t piggish! So go generously with your dry rub covering both sides and pay attention to every edge and corner of your steak.
While you massage the seasoning, slightly thrust it into the meat with your fingers. And work with a second coating if you need more flavor and better crust around the steak.
If you need your meat to absorb the flavors of the rub more deeply, just get a fork and stab it before applying the rub.
04 – Putting On The Grill
After allowing the rub to sit on your steak for the preferred time, put them on the preheated grill and cook until they are tender and juicy, and crusty on the outside.
Grilling Tip – Roast the steaks on the hot side to get a rich, golden-brown crust. Then you can transfer them over to the cooler side to end the grilling process all the way through. This makes your steak searing outside and juicy inside!
When Should You Apply Dry Rub?
The real taste of your grilled steak depends on the flavor of your dry rub and its capacity to absorb the essence of the rub. So, we do not recommend applying your rub just before you slap it on the grill. Therefore, try to put in at least 40 minutes before grilling.
How Much Dry Rub Should I Use On The Steak?
Well, this is a very circumstantial matter and also personal. Although the general amount of dry rub usage is one tablespoon (8g) per one pound (450g) of meat, you actually do not have to work it that way.
This amount can evidently change if you plan to go on a second coating round. Thus, if you are new to dry rubbing grilled steak, you can simply start with one tablespoon for one pound and then change it according to your taste.
I think steak is the ultimate comfort food. And if you are going out for one, that isn’t the time to scrimp on calories or quality
Tom Colicchio
What Spices Go Well With Steak Dry Rub?
Here’s the good news! You can use many flavorful spices in your spice cabinet to be incorporated in the dry rub if you make one at home.
Many versatile spices can be a part of steak dry rubs, but the best ones would be:
- Black pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Ground cumin
01 – Black Pepper
Almost all steak rubs include ground black pepper. The earthy, piney, and peppery tones of this spice give the perfect pungency to your steak.
02 – Garlic Powder
Garlic powder can tweak the taste of any food with its powerful and intense flavor elements. The powdery consistency has the ability to disperse its taste throughout the meat and give it an overall garlicky flavor.
03 – Onion Powder
This spice provides a unique umami punch to steak while pairing with flavors like black pepper and garlic powder. It is strong yet not overwhelming and complements meat while grilling.
04 – Paprika
Sweet, hot, mild, smoked paprika- all these types go ideally with steak. They add a great red hue and a depth of flavor to your meat.
05 – Cayenne
Cayenne pepper is a gem that gives the perfect hot, spicy, and fiery kick to meat which is considered an essential taste element. Many rubs contain cayenne, and if you make one your own at home, you can adjust the spiciness of the mix by changing the amounts of cayenne pepper.
06 – Cumin
Ground cumin is a choice of many when it comes down to steak dry rubs. It has a distinctive earthiness that well complements the meat on the grill. Moreover, its slight sweetness and woody notes make this spice another best candidate in dry rubs used for grilling steaks.
How Long Do You Leave The Dry Rub On The Steak Before Grilling?
In fact, there are no rules or a standard time period when it comes to leaving the dry rub on the steak. It is merely a matter of choice that you make how flavorful your piece of meat is going to be!
You can let the steak sit for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 40 minutes to 2 hours. However, we recommend keeping it for some time so that your steak has time to absorb all the flavors from the rub.
Some also prefer leaving it overnight for an extra punch of taste. And we will discuss this in the following section.
How Long Do You Leave The Dry Rub On The Steak Before Grilling?
In fact, there are no rules or a standard time period when it comes to leaving the dry rub on the steak. It is merely a matter of choice that you make how flavorful your piece of meat is going to be!
You can let the steak sit for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 40 minutes to 2 hours. However, we recommend keeping it for some time so that your steak has time to absorb all the flavors from the rub.
Some also prefer leaving it overnight for an extra punch of taste. And we will discuss this in the following section.
Can You Leave A Dry Rub On Steak Overnight?
A dry rub can stay on steak overnight. If you intend to keep it, you will have to cover it appropriately and pop it in the normal section of your refrigerator. This will allow the meat to suck up all the essences from the spices, herbs, and other flavorings used in the rub.
In addition, if you are too sensitive to robust flavors, we recommend leaving the steak to season for about 40 minutes to 2 hours instead of keeping it a night long. However, you should not keep it for more than 12 hours as you only need your steak to season, not to cure!
Marinade Vs Dry Rub For Steak- Which Is Better When Grilling?
To begin with, both a marinade and a dry rub got your back when it comes to grilling a steak. It can come down to another personal choice since both add a profundity of flavor to your meat with slight differences.
A marinade generally has a liquidy texture with an acidic base. Most of the time, with other spices and herbs, a liquid base like soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, and sometimes even tamarind juice is used. And these bases can tenderize the meat.
On the other hand, a rub is made up of dry ingredients, and typically no meat tenderizing elements are included in them. These ingredients would essentially make a crusty coating around your piece of meat, locking the succulence.
Accordingly, the tenderizing effect of the marinade and the formation of the crust is one of the main differences that we see between a marinade and a dry rub when it comes to grilling a steak.
However, as mentioned earlier, both of these methods can give a lot of flavor to your steak. So, if you like tender steak, you can go for a marinade. And if you wish to have sealed juiciness with a rich coating, you can go for a dry rub.
Homemade Dry Rub Recipe ~
Dry Rub Seasoning For Steak- A Simple Homemade Dry Rub Recipe
Cuisine: American1 Cup
servings5
minutes10
minutesPre-made dry rubs are plenty out there in the store, but you know that nothing can beat the good of something homemade!
So, check out this super simple dry rub recipe and try it with your next steak-grilling duty! You just need to pick a few ingredients from your spice rack, and it comes together in no time.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- Spices
1 tbsp 1 Black pepper
2 tbsp 2 Garlic powder
2 tbsp 2 Onion powder
2 tbsp 2 Crushed red pepper
3 tbsp 3 Paprika
- Other Ingredients
3 tbsp 3 Sea salt
3 tbsp 3 Brown sugar
Directions
- Put all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl and whisk everything together until well combined.
Notes
- You can use this dry rub immediately or store it in an air-tight glass container until use.
- Feel free to use cayenne pepper instead of crushed red pepper. Look out for spiciness and adjust the amounts as you like.
- You can use any type of paprika of your choice. If you use smoked paprika, it will add a unique smokiness to the mix.
- You are free to adjust the sweetness and salt according to your taste preferences.
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Ready, Steady- Rub-A-Steak And Party!
So, we just finished you lecturing tons of information on how to dry rub steak for grilling. And as you see, it is not as hard as you think.
You just have to grab your dry rub, sprinkle it on the steak with one hand and apply it generously with the other. Then, leave it for somewhere between 40 minutes to 2 hours or overnight, put on the grill, cook until sizzling and enjoy!
In fact, grilled steak is one of the best things in the world, and it will even become better when you grill your dry rubbed steak perfectly!
