How to Make the Perfect Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning at Home

Have you ever found yourself savouring a perfectly cooked steak at a place like Texas Roadhouse and pondering, “What is this incredible flavour, and how can I recreate it?” It’s a thought that crosses the mind of every true steak enthusiast. That unmistakable crust, the deep savoury notes, and that delicate balance of smoke and sweetness can seem like a well-guarded secret. Well, we’re here to share that secret with you. The magic is all in the seasoning, and you can most certainly craft the perfect Texas Roadhouse steak seasoning at home. Move beyond the shop-bought rubs, which are often laden with artificial additives. We are going to guide you through blending your own, using straightforward, quality ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

With our carefully perfected recipe, you’ll be empowered to elevate a simple cut of beef into a truly memorable meal, whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or firing up the barbecue. Let’s begin!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Steakhouse Flavour: We’ve successfully captured that mouth-watering, savoury-sweet profile you adore. This blend guarantees a bold taste and helps form an exceptional crust on your steak.
• Wonderfully Simple & Quick: You won’t find any complicated steps here. Just measure your spices, combine them, and the seasoning is ready. In under five minutes, you’ll have a jar filled with delicious potential.
• Made with Pantry Staples: There’s no need to search for exotic ingredients. This recipe utilises common spices such as garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper, making it both convenient and cost-effective.
• Effortlessly Customisable: Fancy a little more kick? Add a bit more chilli powder. Watching your sugar intake? Feel free to reduce it. Creating the blend yourself grants you full authority over the final taste.
• Remarkably Versatile: Although designed for steak, this rub is brilliant on so much more! We love it on chicken, pork, and burgers, and it’s also fantastic sprinkled over roast potatoes for an extra flavour dimension.

Ingredients

• Coarse Sea Salt
• Dark Brown Sugar
• Smoked Paprika
• Sweet Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
• Turmeric Powder
• Chilli Powder
• Ground Coriander

The Science Behind the Perfect Steak Seasoning

Before we start mixing, let’s explore why this particular blend is so effective. An excellent steak rub is not merely a random assortment of spices; it is a precisely balanced formula. Our take on the Texas Roadhouse recipe is engineered to hit every note needed to amplify the natural richness of the beef, rather than mask it.

The Key Flavour Pillars

• Salty: Coarse sea salt is fundamental. It seasons the meat and, critically, draws moisture from the surface. This process is vital for achieving the deep, flavourful browning known as the Maillard reaction.
• Sweet: Dark brown sugar is the secret weapon. It provides a counterpoint to the salt and spices while also promoting caramelisation during cooking, which helps form that irresistible crust and deep, rich colour.
• Smoky & Savoury: Herein lies the magic. Smoked paprika imparts a profound, smoky essence that evokes the taste of open-flame cooking. Meanwhile, garlic and onion powders lay down the savoury foundation we instantly recognise in a classic restaurant style seasoning.
• Warmth & Colour: The pairing of sweet paprika and turmeric bestows the steak with its beautiful, appetising reddish-brown hue. Chilli powder introduces a subtle warmth that cuts through the fat without being overpowering.

Crafting Your Homemade Steak Rub: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making your own seasoning blend is one of the simplest and most gratifying kitchen activities. All you’ll need are your ingredients, a mixing bowl, and a whisk. Let’s put it together.

1. Gather Your Spices: First, arrange all your measured ingredients. We find that using separate small bowls for each spice helps to keep the process neat and tidy, ensuring nothing gets missed.
2. Combine the Ingredients: In a bowl of a suitable size, add the coarse sea salt, dark brown sugar, smoked and sweet paprikas, garlic and onion powders, black pepper, turmeric, and chilli powder.
3. Mix Thoroughly: Use a whisk to combine everything until uniform. The crucial part of this stage is to break down any lumps in the brown sugar to guarantee an even distribution of all components. You want every pinch to contain the perfect flavour balance.
4. Store for Later: Carefully transfer your finished seasoning mix into an airtight container. A glass jar with a secure lid is ideal, as it will shield the blend from moisture and air, preserving its freshness and potency.

And there you have it! You are now the proud owner of a generous supply of the perfect Texas Roadhouse steak seasoning at home, ready for your next steak night or barbecue.

How to Use Your Steak Seasoning for Best Results

Possessing the perfect homemade steak rub is only part of the equation; the application and cooking technique are what truly unite everything. Follow our steps for a flawless, restaurant-worthy steak on every occasion.

Step 1: Prepare the Steak

Begin with a high-quality steak that is at least one inch thick. Cuts like sirloin, ribeye, or striploin are all superb options. For the ultimate sear, the meat’s surface must be exceptionally dry. Use kitchen roll to pat your steaks down on all sides until no surface moisture remains.

Step 2: Apply the Rub Generously

This is not the time for subtlety! Sprinkle the seasoning liberally across the entire steak—top, bottom, and edges. Use your hands to gently press the rub into the flesh, ensuring a visible and even coating. For a steak of about an inch thick, we suggest using roughly one tablespoon of rub per side.

Step 3: Let It Rest

This is a vital step that is often overlooked. After seasoning, allow the steak to rest at room temperature for a minimum of 30-40 minutes before you start cooking. This gives the salt time to work its way into the meat, initially drawing out moisture which then gets reabsorbed, resulting in a juicier, more flavourful steak. For an even more profound taste, you can season it and place it uncovered in the fridge for a few hours, or even overnight.

Step 4: Cook to Perfection

Whether you’re using a grill or a frying pan, high heat is your best friend. This intense heat is what activates the sugars and spices in your BBQ steak rub, creating that amazing crust.

• For a Grilled Steak: Preheat your barbecue to a high temperature. Sear the steak for 2-4 minutes on each side, depending on its thickness, until a dark crust has formed. Then, move it to a cooler section of the grill to finish cooking to your liking.
• For a Pan-Seared Steak: Heat a heavy-based pan (cast iron is perfect) over a high flame with a touch of neutral oil. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes per side. For a truly decadent finish, add a knob of butter, a crushed garlic clove, and a sprig of thyme to the pan, basting the steak continuously for the last minute of cooking.

For dependable results, we always suggest using a meat thermometer. For up-to-date temperature guidance, you can refer to reliable sources like the UK’s Food Standards Agency, which will help ensure your steak is cooked safely and just the way you like it.

Beyond the Steak: Other Ways to Use This Seasoning

This grilled steak seasoning is simply too delicious to be limited to beef alone. Its well-rounded, savoury-sweet character makes it a genuine all-purpose blend. While it’s certainly wonderful on chicken and could provide a great flavour foundation for dishes like our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe, its usefulness doesn’t stop there.

• Pork Chops and Tenderloin: This rub develops a spectacular crust on all cuts of pork.
• Burgers: Try mixing a tablespoon into your beef mince before shaping the patties.
• Roasted Vegetables: Toss potatoes, bell peppers, and onions in oil and a generous coating of this seasoning before they go into the oven.
• Chicken Wings: Apply it as a dry rub before you bake or air-fry your wings to achieve a smoky, delectable finish.

Keeping a jar of this on hand can transform your weeknight cooking. It’s an easy method for injecting a burst of flavour into almost any dish, much like in our quick and tasty Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls.

FAQ

Your Ticket to Steakhouse-Quality Flavour

So there you have it—the key to unlocking that sought-after, steakhouse-calibre flavour is now in your hands. By creating the perfect Texas Roadhouse steak seasoning at home, you have taken the most crucial step towards mastering the art of the perfect steak. Say goodbye to guesswork, bland results, and overpriced, pre-made rubs.

You now possess a versatile, delicious, and dependable seasoning blend that will enhance not only your steaks but a wide array of other meals as well. So, we encourage you to mix up a batch and prepare to impress your family, your friends, and most importantly, your own taste buds.

We would be delighted to hear about your results! Please leave a comment below to share your experience or any inventive new ways you’ve found to use this fantastic seasoning. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Yield: Approx. 3/4 cup

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
• 2 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar
• 2 tbsp Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
• 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tbsp Sweet Paprika
• 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tbsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Coriander

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients: coarse sea salt, dark brown sugar, black pepper, both paprikas, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, turmeric, and ground coriander.
2. Whisk everything together thoroughly, ensuring any lumps from the brown sugar are broken down for an even mix. Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container or jar for storage.
3. To use, pat your steaks completely dry with paper towels. Liberally coat all surfaces of the steak with the rub (about 1 tbsp per side), gently pressing it in. Allow the seasoned steak to rest at room temperature for at least 30-40 minutes before cooking on a high-heat grill or pan to your desired doneness.

Nutrition (per 2 tbsp serving):
Calories: 46,
Carbs: 11 g,
Protein: 1 g,
Fat: 1 g