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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!
Incredibly versatile Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe that can be used on almost anything.
PIN FOR LATER
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.
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.
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
For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.
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!
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
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
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Equipment
- 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
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
Thanks Sami! I hope you get the chance to try it soon!
I tried this and it was really good. The flavor is so good!
John
Glad you liked it John! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know what you thought!
I made this for my brother and he liked it so much that I made more so he could take some home.
Thank you!!!
I like the recipe for cowboy spice, thank you!
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!
Thank You for the steak Rub recipe. Son-in-laws will absolutely love it.
Thanks for your sweet note, Colleen!
Enjoy 🙂
I can’t wait to make this!
Please be sure to let me know how you like it! 🙂
I found this on pinterest and I’m so excited to try it out this weekend with my new grill.
Hi Mark! Thanks for visiting 🙂
I hope you love it!
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
I saw your other comment on the steak recipe – I’m so glad you liked it!
Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Love it so much, I made your Cowboy Spice Mix for Christmas gifts this year.
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. ❤
This rub is fantastic! I have used it for steak and chicken, but most surprisingly it is great as taco seasoning.
Thanks so much for your kind note Jonathan! Enjoy!!