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Homemade Dry Rub for Beef recipe photo

Dry Rub for Beef

A versatile, savory dry rub that adds smoky, garlicky flavor with optional sweetness and heat to beef.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 5 Tablespoons
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 Tbsp sweet paprika smoked paprika if you like
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp brown sugar or cane sugar to add sweetness
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to add spice

Equipment

  • small sealable jar
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting Board
  • Paper Towels

Method
 

  1. Place all ingredients into a small sealable jar or bowl.
  2. Seal the jar and shake vigorously (or whisk well in a bowl) until thoroughly combined.
  3. To season whole cuts: pat the meat dry with paper towels on all sides, then sprinkle a generous amount of rub over the surface and gently pat it into the meat.
  4. If the beef is lean, rub 1 to 3 tablespoons of avocado or olive oil onto the meat before applying the dry rub to help protect and flavor it.
  5. For burgers: add about 1 tablespoon of rub per 1 pound of ground beef to a large bowl, mix by hand until evenly distributed, then form patties.
  6. For seasoned cooked ground beef: heat a little oil in a skillet, add the ground beef and the desired amount of rub (about 1 tablespoon per 1 pound), then cook until done.
  7. Store any unused rub in the sealed jar for later use.

Notes

  • Use smoked paprika for a smoky flavor if desired.
  • Adjust cayenne or red pepper flakes to control heat.
  • 1 tablespoon of rub per pound is a good starting guideline for ground beef.
  • Add 1–3 tablespoons oil to lean cuts before applying rub.