This homemade brown sugar steak rub recipe has the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It's nicely peppery and the brown sugar sweetness is balanced by savory flavors from smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder and garlic powder.
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Steak rub ingredients and notes:
- You can use sweet smoked paprika or hot smoked paprika for this recipe. The spice rub already has a little bit of heat from ground black pepper and will be even spicier if you use hot smoked paprika. (The complex, sweet and savory flavor combination of brown sugar and smoked paprika works great in dry rubs like this one. It's also excellent in wet rubs, like this mustard rib rub.)
- You can use either light or dark brown sugar to make this spice rub. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses than light brown sugar and therefore has a deeper, more complex flavor.
How to make this dry rub recipe:
Step 1. Add all ingredients to a bowl.
Step 2. Mix all ingredients together using a fork.
Step 3. The dry rub is ready to use when all ingredients are well combined.
How to use the steak rub:
- Add oil to a cast iron skillet, then set the skillet in the cold oven. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F. with the skillet in it. (This will ensure that both the skillet and the oil get sufficiently hot so that the steak(s) get nicely browned through the chemical process that's called the Maillard reaction.)
- Pat steak(s) dry using paper towels, then press into the dry steak rub until all sides of the steak(s) are well coated.
- Transfer steak(s) into the hot skillet. Cook on both sides to desired doneness.
- Let steak(s) rest for 5 minutes before serving.
NOTE: I don't recommend grilling the steaks because the brown sugar can easily burn on the grill.
What cut of steak can I use for this steak rub?
This steak rub is great on any cut of steak, from sirloin to New York strip steaks.
More delicious brown sugar rub recipes:
- Salmon Dry Rub5 Minutes
- Mustard Rib Rub3 Hours 5 Minutes
- Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub5 Minutes
- Ancho Espresso Rub5 Minutes
See all dry rub recipes →
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Full Printable Recipe
Steak Rub Recipe (brown sugar)
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
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and mash together with a fork until well combined.
Notes:
- Add oil to a cast iron skillet, then set the skillet in the cold oven. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F. with the skillet in it.
- Pat steak(s) dry with paper towels, then press into the steak rub until well coated.
- Transfer steak(s) into the hot skillet. Cook on both sides to desired doneness.
- Let steak(s) rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information (Estimated):
Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.
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