The Best Roast Beef Rub Recipe
Take your roast beef to the next level with our mouth-watering roast beef rub recipe! Perfectly seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, this bold, flavorful rub is sure to impress.
We eat a lot of meat around here. It is an essential staple when feeding growing teenage boys (rapidly becoming growing young men!).
Because of that, I am always on the lookout for new recipes and ways to keep things exciting at the dinner table. I would hate for any of us to get bored! And let’s be honest, nobody wants a bland beef roast when you could have one packed with flavor.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This homemade spice blend is the perfect way to elevate your favorite roast. It adds a flavorful crust while enhancing the natural flavors of the beef. Plus, it’s super versatile—use it on prime rib, beef tenderloin, chuck roast, or even short ribs. Whether you’re roasting, grilling, or slow-cooking, this all-purpose rub guarantees amazing flavor every time.
Whether you are serving up a classic roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, and grilled vegetables, making these incredible roast beef sandwiches, or just eating a few slices on their own, this roast beef rub recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.
I have experimented with many, many marinades and homemade rubs over the years. Some have been hits, getting rave reviews from everyone. Others have received much less positive feedback.
That said, I’ve finally landed on the best way to season roast beef. This dry rub recipe is everything—bold, a little smoky, with just the right amount of heat, and beyond easy to make. Let’s get cooking!
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Supplies
The Best Roast Beef Rub
Ingredients
- Kosher salt or sea salt – The foundation of any good spice rub, helping to draw out the natural flavors of the beef.
- Paprika – Adds a smoky flavor and beautiful color.
- Peppercorns, crushed – A little spice and a bold, fresh bite.
- Garlic powder – Because a little garlic makes everything better.
- Onion powder – Subtle sweetness that balances the other flavors.
- Ground coriander – A citrusy, earthy kick that’s the secret weapon here.
- Crushed red pepper flakes – Just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, stir together all the ingredients together until well combined.
Tip: Use a fork to break up any clumps of the powdered spices.
2. Use the mixture to coat your favorite cut of meat.
This recipe makes enough dry rub for several servings of roast beef.
How to Use This Dry Rub
- Prepare the roast beef as desired.
- Pat your piece of meat dry with paper towels.
- Coat the entire beef with the dry rub spice mixture, pressing it into the surface.
- Let the beef roast sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking for the best results.
- Cook using your preferred method—roast it, smoke it, or throw it in a slow cooker. We love this roast beef recipe and this smoked roast beef!
Tips and Tricks
- We love to add whole garlic cloves to our roast beef before cooking. This, in addition to the rub, gives the beef a delicious flavor.
- Pour beef stock into the roasting pan to keep the meat juicy. Then use the drippings to create a flavorful roast beef gravy.
- Store extra rub in an airtight container for future use.
- Turn this into a wet rub by mixing it with a little olive oil or soy sauce.
- Always let the cooked meat rest before slicing to lock in the juices.
- This recipe can be made with prime rib, beef tenderloin, eye of round roast, chuck roast, or any other cut of beef you like best. Whatever cut of meat you are using, be sure the internal temperature reaches the recommended temperature according to food safety guidelines. A good general rule of thumb is 17-19 minutes per pound for medium.
- Try this delicious dry rub on different meats, like pork chops, pork tenderloin, or chicken.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Brown sugar
- Italian seasoning
- Dried herbs, like oregano and rosemary
- Spanish paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Regular black pepper
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I let the rub sit on the beef?
Let it sit for at least 30 minutes or let it rest overnight in the fridge.
Can I use this on a filet mignon?
Absolutely! Just use a generous amount of rub and don’t overcook it.
What’s the best cut of meat for this rub?
It works on any cuts of beef, but I particularly love it on eye of round roast, beef tenderloin, and prime rib.
Can I add dark brown sugar?
Sure! Adding dark brown sugar brings a hint of sweetness and helps create a caramelized crust.
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The Best Beef Rub Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp kosher salt or sea salt
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 2 Tbsp peppercorns crushed
- 2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, stir together all of the ingredients.
- Use the mixture to coat your favorite cut of meat.
Hi Heather.. I’m Brian from just east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Your dry rub looks very interesting and I’m sure will add much to the flavour of my 3.5 lb. bottom blade roast. I do have a couple of Q’s for you.
Can I apply this rub and refrigerate for 2- 3 days? I’ve used other dry rub mixtures in the past for other cuts of meat (beef and pork) and havn’t had an issue when refrigerating for multiple days.
I am planning to cook the roast in a slow cooker for ~8 hrs. on low which I have done previously with this cut of beef. Should this method of cooking and time affect the dry rub flavour of the roast?
many thanks Brian
Yes, you can apply and refrigerate for as long as desired. We often apply and refrigerate the roast over night, the flavours tend to absorb over time.
No, the slow cooker should not affect the flavour. We love to throw a roast in the crockpot too but are sure not too add too much liquid as it will just wash the rub away.
Thanks for your questions! Enjoy
I just made a roast with this recipe. It cannot be beat. World Class flavor. This is my roast rub forever. So delicious.
Thank you so much!