• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work with Me
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • My Favorite Kitchen Tools
    • Menu Planner
  • Lifestyle
    • DIY Crafts
    • Bath & Beauty
    • Busy Moms Survival Guide
    • Family Finances
    • Home Decor
    • Parenting
    • Gardening & Outdoor Living
    • Kids
    • Printables
  • Travel
    • Family Travel
    • Travel Activities
    • Romantic Getaways
    • New England
  • Subscribe

Juggling Act Mama logo

Home » Recipes » DIY Seasoning Mixes » Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe

May 1, 2019

Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
11985Shares

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Incredibly versatile Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe that can be used on almost anything. #spicemix #steakrub #jugglingactmama via @jugglingactmama

This is a cowboy steak rub recipe mix that you will not believe.  It’s a delicious steak rub that combines sweet, smoky and spicy flavors with a hint of coffee – yep, it totally has coffee in it!  And, it’s so tasty!

a small wooden scoop filled with cowboy steak rub over a glass jar next to a blue kitchen towel

Incredibly versatile Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe that can be used on almost anything.
PIN FOR LATER

First Published: August 14, 2018… Last Updated: May 1, 2019

Mr. Juggling Act and the kids love a good grilled steak! And who can blame them? I created a dry rub that they all agree make the steaks taste bold, sweet and smoky. There is just enough acid from the coffee to break down the steak and help it be a bit more tender.

I make a lot of my own spice blends, like this Montreal Seasoning Mix. I created this Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe one day when I was putting together all my favorite spices. The Paprika and Cumin add a smoky undertone, the Cayenne Pepper and Chili Powder add the kick. Then added some brown sugar because when it cooks on the steak it caramelizes.

You can add less sugar if you are trying to cut down. Then I discovered that the Coriander and Mustard round out the rub with brighter flavors. The only spice I didn’t add that I thought about adding later, is garlic. But with all the other spices I didn’t think it needed it. You can try putting some garlic powder in and see what you think.

close up of steak rub in a mason jar

Why is Coffee Good on Steak?

Some people have been known to soak their steak in coffee before grilling it. This makes the steak more tender and gives it a deeper flavor profile. The coffee grounds in my rub are another option if you don’t want to soak your steak. Coffee is acidic. It is those acidic tones that pair well with the savory notes of red meat.

Remember to use REGULAR coffee, not flavored.

TIP

If you don’t have a bag of ground coffee on hand, you can use 2 k-cups of coffee groundsd.

A hand holding small bowl of ground coffee next to a larger bowl with a variety of spices in it.

Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe Shopping List

For this rub recipe, you’ll need just a handful of spices. And I bet you have most of them on hand already.

  • Chili Powder
  • Ground Coffee
  • Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Brown Sugar
  • Salt
  • Dry Mustard
  • Coriander
  • Black Pepper
  • Cayenne Pepper
close up of a whisk resting in a clear glass bowl with piles of various spices

For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.

close up of cowboy steak rub in a mason jar

DIY Spice Mix Gifts

I make the Cowboy Steak Rub in big batches and package it in small jars for friends and family during the holidays especially. Last month when I was out in CA to visit my sister for her bridal shower, she told me how my she and my now brother-in-law were enjoying this mixture. But it was almost gone and she needed the recipe ASAP to make more!

How To Use The Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe

Just because it is steak rub doesn’t mean you have to only use it on steak. This rub tastes incredible on grilled chicken breasts, chicken wings, and pork chops.

Try rubbing pork loin with the homemade rub and add a little bit of water to a slow cooker for the most amazing dinner. Give this Petite Sirloin with our Cowboy Steak Rub a try – it’s truly so good!

Grilled Petite Sirloin Steak on a cutting board. Int he background, a blue towel and a small green ramekin with Cowboy Steak Rub with a wooden spoon.

Other Ideas For the Spice Mix

Beyond using this rub on meats, you can also use this spice mix with some lemon juice and olive oil for a flavorful marinade or salad dressing. You can also choose to remove the brown sugar for a keto-friendly rub!

Tasty Rubs & Marinades

Here are more homemade rubs and marinades for your next meal.

  • Homemade Turkey Rub Recipe – Savory Experiments – This is a simple recipe with ingredients that are easy to remember. Save it for eating Turkey all year round.
  • Homemade Mustard Dry Rub Recipe – Thrifty Jinxy – The parsley in this dry rub gives it pops of color and a sweet flavor.
  • Carne Asada Marinade – This Mama Cooks – The cloves and cilantro make this marinade stand out from among the rest.

Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe FAQ

How do you use a steak rub?

30 minutes is enough time for the seasonings and spices to start flavoring the steak. However, you can leave it on overnight for best results.

How long do you leave dry rub on a steak?

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over 1 pound of steak. Rub in 1/4 cup of the spice mixture and marinate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight. Grill to desired doneness.

What are the best cuts of steak to grill?

Good quality beef makes a big difference. Here are some cuts that are particularly good on the grill:

  • Top sirloin
  • T-bone
  • Filet mignon (or petite sirloin for a less expensive option)
  • New York strip steak
  • Rib-eye
  • Porterhouse

Personally, I love sirloin rump tips and petite sirloin on the grill.

For more information on cuts of beef, visit the Certified Angus Beef website.

How long do I cook a steak?

Beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 145-degrees F according to FoodSafety.gov. Remember you always want to allow your beef to rest for three minutes.

More Amazing Recipes

Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Steak Bites with Garlic Butter are an easy main dish that's chocked full of delicious, savory flavor and ready in just 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe >>>
Petite Sirloin Steak with Cowboy Rub
Tender and flavorful petite sirloin steak is totally amazing with our Cowboy Rub!
Get the Recipe >>>
Grilled Petite Sirloin Steak on a cutting board. Int he background, a blue towel and a small green ramekin with Cowboy Steak Rub with a wooden spoon.

Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe

This definitely makes enough to give as gifts. Once your friends and family taste this rub they will want some for their own pantry! This recipe makes approximately 2 cups.

If you give this a try and love it, please give it 5 stars!

Cowboy Spice Mix

The perfect rub! It’s a little sweet, a little spicy and tastes amazing on steak!
3.98 from 44 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cowboy steak rub recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Author: Ang Paris

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Dry Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Whisk
  • Canning Jar Funnel
  • Mason Jar with Lid (for storing)

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup chili powder
  • 1/4 cup ground coffee (or about 2 k-cups)
  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 1/4 cup ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk gently to combine.
  • Package the mixture in an airtight container until ready to use.

To Use the Steak Rub

  • Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over 1 pound of steak.
  • Rub in 1/4 cup of the spice mixture and marinate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
  • Grill to desired doneness.

Notes

Yield: Approx 2 cups

How long do you leave dry rub on a steak?

30 minutes is enough time for the seasonings and spices to start flavoring the steak. However, you can leave it on overnight for best results.

What are the best cuts of steak to grill?

Good quality beef makes a big difference. Here are some cuts that are particularly good on the grill:
  • Top sirloin
  • T-bone
  • Filet mignon (or petite sirloin for a less expensive option)
  • New York strip steak
  • Rib-eye
  • Porterhouse
Personally, I love sirloin rump tips and petite sirloin on the grill.
For more information on cuts of beef, visit the Certified Angus Beef website.

How long do I cook a steak?

Beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 145-degrees F according to FoodSafety.gov. Remember you always want to allow your beef to rest for three minutes.
Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
11985Shares

Filed Under: DIY Seasoning Mixes, Grilling, READER FAVORITES, Recipes Tagged With: DIY Gifts, DIY Seasoning Mix, Father's Day, Food Gifts, Gluten free, Grilling, Housewarming Gift, Miss Information, Pantry Staple, Spice Mix, Steak Rub, Stocking Stuffer

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sami says

    June 23, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    This is great! I’ve never heard of this fun little steak rub before but I love the idea of adding a hint of coffee! Brilliant!
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      June 24, 2014 at 9:53 am

      Thanks Sami! I hope you get the chance to try it soon!

      Reply
  2. john says

    August 19, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this and it was really good. The flavor is so good!
    John

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      August 19, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Glad you liked it John! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know what you thought!

      Reply
  3. Janine Horn says

    November 7, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for my brother and he liked it so much that I made more so he could take some home.
    Thank you!!!

    Reply
  4. annette says

    November 16, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    5 stars
    I like the recipe for cowboy spice, thank you!

    Reply
  5. keri @ shaken together says

    February 25, 2015 at 5:51 am

    5 stars
    A friend of ours swears by a rub for fish that has coffee in it – love seeing it in this rub. Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  6. ColleenB.-Tx. says

    May 1, 2019 at 7:58 am

    5 stars
    Thank You for the steak Rub recipe. Son-in-laws will absolutely love it.

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      May 1, 2019 at 9:23 am

      Thanks for your sweet note, Colleen!
      Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
  7. Erin says

    May 7, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to make this!

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      May 8, 2019 at 8:51 pm

      Please be sure to let me know how you like it! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Mark says

    May 7, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    5 stars
    I found this on pinterest and I’m so excited to try it out this weekend with my new grill.

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      May 7, 2019 at 5:44 pm

      Hi Mark! Thanks for visiting 🙂
      I hope you love it!

      Reply
  9. Gina M says

    May 13, 2019 at 7:21 am

    5 stars
    I made this so I could use it in your petite sirloin recipe and it was awesome. My boyfriend and I really like it a lot!!!
    Gina

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      May 13, 2019 at 11:15 am

      I saw your other comment on the steak recipe – I’m so glad you liked it!
      Thanks for letting me know 🙂

      Reply
  10. Jan says

    December 17, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    5 stars
    Love it so much, I made your Cowboy Spice Mix for Christmas gifts this year.

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      December 18, 2019 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Jan, you just made my day! Thank you so much for letting me know that 🙂 I hope all your recipients love it as much as we do. ❤

      Reply
  11. Jonathan A Franzel says

    June 14, 2020 at 2:27 pm

    5 stars
    This rub is fantastic! I have used it for steak and chicken, but most surprisingly it is great as taco seasoning.

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      June 16, 2020 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind note Jonathan! Enjoy!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I'm Ang - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which are why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle. Read More…

Popular Posts

Slices of oven roasted pork tenderloin on a cutting board with a sprig of fresh thyme. In the background are slices of compound butter and ramekins with salt and pepper
Grilled Petite Sirloin Steak on a cutting board. Int he background, a blue towel and a small green ramekin with Cowboy Steak Rub with a wooden spoon.
Authentic Italian Meatballs topping a bowl of spaghetti with sauce.

Footer

More Blog Posts

Upcycle your old wine bottles (or San Pelligrino bottles, in my case) into fun and festive bottle vases! Learn how to make these burlap rosettes to add some color, too!
Copyright Notice · Disclosure · Privacy Policy · Republication Policy · Terms and Conditions · Trademarks · Work with Me

JUGGLING ACT MAMA IS A LIFESTYLE BLOG FOR BUSY MOMS THAT WANT TO DO IT ALL. ENJOY AMAZING RECIPES, FANTASTIC PROJECTS
AND INCREDIBLE TRAVEL IDEAS FOR LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE.


Copyright © 2021 Juggling Act Mama · Log in