Total Time: 5

This peppery brown sugar steak rub has the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors and delivers juicy oven-seared steaks. It's made with brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, cumin, salt, onion powder and garlic powder.

My ingredient notes:

You can use sweet smoked paprika or hot smoked paprika for this recipe. The rub has a little bit of heat from black pepper and will be even spicier with hot smoked paprika.
You can use either light or dark brown sugar to make this spice rub. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses and therefore has a deeper, more complex flavor.

Brown sugar, salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.

How to make it:

See full ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below!

Add all ingredients to a bowl.

Mix all ingredients together using a fork.

Full Recipe

Author: Nicole B.

Brown Sugar Steak Rub

This brown sugar steak rub is delicious on any cut of steak, from sirloin to New York strip steaks.

Makes about ¼ cup. I recommend to use about 1 tablespoon per 6-ounce steak.

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Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: 4

Course: Dry Rubs and Seasonings

Cuisine: World

Calories: 20

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Equipment:

measuring spoons
bowl
fork
cast iron skillet

Ingredients:

▢ 4 teaspoons brown sugar (light or dark), packed
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin

Method:

Add all ingredients to a bowl and mash together with a fork until well combined.

Recipe notes:

How to use the steak rub:

Add oil to a cast iron skillet, then set the cold skillet in the cold oven. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F. with the skillet in it. (This ensures that both the skillet and the oil get sufficiently hot so that the steaks get nicely browned.)
Pat the steaks dry using paper towels. Press the steaks into the dry rub until all sides are well coated.
Transfer the steaks into the hot skillet. Cook on both sides to desired doneness.
Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving.

NOTE: I don't recommend grilling the steaks with this dry rub because the brown sugar can easily burn on the grill.

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