It doesn’t matter how beautiful a piece of steak looks when it comes off the grill. If it is not well seasoned, all of that effort was for nothing!
Salt and pepper are a must, as well as minced garlic and onion. Herbs like rosemary and parsley often adorn a sirloin or New York strip.
But what if you’re not as confident in the kitchen? The best store bought steak rub will provide the tasty flavors you are looking for without the need to invest in an extensive spice cabinet.
The best store-bought steak rubs incorporate a perfectly-balanced amount of sugar to assist with caramelization once your meat hits the grill.
Store-bought steak rubs are your friend during grilling season and for summertime flavors year-round. These six best store-bought steak rubs elevate your next flank and Porterhouse steaks effortlessly.
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McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak
McCormick spices stand as a leading seasonings producer for the home cook. Anyone who has shopped for spices at the grocery store has browsed McCormick spices.
The iconic red bottles contain the best store-bought steak rub with this Montreal steak seasoning.
McCormick Montreal steak seasoning features paprika, onion, garlic, and sunflower oil. Use this steak seasoning on skirt steak for a quick steak fajita recipe.
Montreal steak rubs get their name from the French-inspired ingredients of this blend. Montreal is a metropolitan city in Canada with a thriving French-Canadian culture.
Some of the first explorers to North America were French fur traders, which explains the enduring influence today.
Lane’s Ancho Espresso Coffee Rub
Gastronomical adventurers will enjoy Lane’s Ancho Espresso Coffee Rub. In addition to a hefty dose of ancho chile spice, garlic, coriander, and brown sugar, the bitter flavors of coffee balance this assertive steak rub.
This store-bought steak rub pushes the envelope when it comes to seasoning that prime cut of beef.
Effortlessly tenderize and caramelize your meat with this spicy, sweet, and tangy steak rub. This rub will produce a tasty, light crust on the outside of your steak while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
Like many of the rubs on this list, it’s important not to overdo it with steak rubs. Aim for a light coating on the outside of the meat. Make sure it covers the entire piece of steak to achieve a delicious crust.
Texas Beef Rub
Use this Texas Beef Rub to turn your steak’s fat into “beef butter.” That is just one claim from this Texas-style seasonings company.
While everything is bigger in Texas, this best store-bought steak rub brand values simplicity in its blend. Onion and lemon are the dominant flavors in this rub, with a secret blend of spices rounding it out.
In addition to steak rubs, this company provides premium rubs for all cuts of meat. Explore rubs for an extra-special Christmas ham or Thanksgiving turkey.
Sugar-free rubs and seasoning mixes friendly to those on keto diets are all part of the Kosmos Q seasoning company.
Jack Daniels Steak Seasoning
Jack Daniels whiskey is not just a good accompaniment for a steak in the form of an old-fashioned cocktail. Jack Daniels now manufactures one of the best store-bought steak rubs on the market.
This coarse steak rub is low-sodium and gluten-free but packed with flavor. This granular spice rub contains dehydrated garlic, onion, and bell peppers, along with salt and a signature blend of spices.
Let this spice rub absorb for at least 30 minutes to fully incorporate the robust Jack Daniels flavors into your steak.
Weber Chicago Steak Seasoning
Unlike the French Canadian McCormick steak rub described above, this Weber steak seasoning offers the American answer. Weber Chicago Steak Seasoning captures the succulent flavors of a traditional American steakhouse.
This Chicago steak rub prioritizes pepper above all else. This seasoning features a signature secret pepper blend, blending white, black, and whole peppercorns.
Garlic and onions join the seasoning. These flavors remind you of the side dishes you would get at an American steakhouse, like garlic mashed potatoes.
Killer Hogs Steak Rub
Unlike other steak seasonings, Killer Hogs Steak Rub began with open-air meat cooking in mind (their roots are in brisket seasonings and ribs). Reach for this rub when you want to take your grilled and smoked meats to another level.
Find Killer Hogs Steak Rub at big box stores and in the grilling section of national chain hardware stores too.
A unique ingredient for this rub is Worcestershire sauce powder. Worcestershire sauce delivers a tangy, sour flavor that is common in sauces from traditional steakhouses.
Onions, garlic, brown sugar, and signature spices combine for this award-winning recipe.
Difference Between Steak Seasoning and Steak Rub?
The largest difference between steak seasoning and steak rub is the texture. A steak rub maintains a much coarser texture.
For example, kosher salt may be combined with bits of diced garlic or minced onion, turning into a crust-like substance on the meat. Steak rubs provide a hearty dose of flavors forming on the outside of the meat to counterbalance the rich steak.
Steak seasonings are finely ground spices and herbs. The final product of a steak seasoning is applied liberally on both sides of the meat before the steak is applied to heat.
Steak seasoning is a mostly homogenous mixture, and you typically cannot tell the different elements apart.
Steak seasoning can appear during and after cooking to boost the final flavor profile the cook intended. Steak seasoning can also be used to evoke a rich, meaty flavor in other dishes.
A steak rub is a less versatile spice blend. Steak rubs must only adorn raw meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about the best store-bought steak rubs? Continue reading to learn the answers to readers’ most frequently asked question
Who makes the best beef rub?
The leading manufacturer of charcoal grills also makes the best beef rub. Weber Chicago Steak Seasoning perfectly evokes classic steakhouse flavors when grilling at home (it works well for burgers too).
How long should a rub be on the steak before cooking?
The minimum a rub should rest on the steak before cooking is 15 minutes. Any less time than this risks the rub not influencing the flavor of the meat. Ideally, cooks set aside two hours or more for the steak rub to marinate before cooking.
Is Chicago Steak Seasoning the same as Montreal steak seasoning?
No, these seasoning blends are different. Montreal steak seasoning uses a French-inspired mixture of rosemary, thyme, dill, garlic, coriander, and other spices. Chicago steak seasoning tastes like an All-American steakhouse, featuring onion, garlic, and peppercorns.
Conclusion
Steak rubs impart unbeatable flavor into a delicious steak. When given enough time to absorb, steak rubs tenderize the meat and help turn that sirloin or NY strip into a decadent, home-cooked dinner.
Apply a light coating of the steak rub seasoning to the outside of the meat before the cooking process to achieve a flavorful crust. Be sure to wait at least 15 minutes, ideally up to two hours, for the seasonings to absorb. Never add steak rub during or after the cooking process.
The best store-bought steak rubs deliver on both tradition and innovation. Experiment with steak rubs that capture the best of North American steakhouses. Or branch out to steak rubs that push the envelope with flavor profiles.