When the grill beckons you, a dry rub for your steak is the only way to go. This Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak recipe is great to have in your back pocket for all cookouts, BBQs, or just family meals.
Everyone loves a good steak rub recipe, but there is something about the Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning that hits the spot for me every time.
The savory and delicious Texas Roadhouse Steak rub is perfect for all of your favorite grilled meats. The secret ingredients include brown sugar, kosher salt, garlic salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. These spices give the perfect flavor to your steak, chicken, or seafood. The seasoning is also great on roasted vegetables.
The great and convenient thing about dry rubs is not only how quick they are to put together, but how long they last. Dry rubs, unlike marinades, are shelf-stable. This means that any leftover steak seasoning will last months, as opposed to a week in your fridge.
This is why I typically make a big batch of this steak seasoning recipe. I put leftovers in an airtight spice jar and store it alongside my other seasoning.
Also, if you’ve never been to a Texas Roadhouse, what are you waiting for?
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak
A good steak seasoning should have a balanced flavor that enhances the natural flavor of the meat. It should be salty, peppery, and a little bit sweet. The spices should also have a bit of crunch to them so that they stick to the meat and create a beautiful crust. My secret ingredient is brown sugar which adds a delicious caramelized flavor.
Ingredients
Steak (go for a high-quality cut of steak such as ribeye, t-bones, or sirloin. The better your meat the more delicious your finished meal!)
- 4 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon corn starch
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
Note: Unless you’re cooking for a very large group, this will make more than enough. So throw the extra in an airtight container and store it for later.
Making Your Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak Rub
How do you like your steak cooked?
Ever been to a restaurant, maybe even the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, and been asked how you want your steak cooked?
Most people are familiar with a few typical ways to order your steak: rare, medium, and well done. But did you know there are more options? It’s true. Just like there are many ways to order your coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts, there are numerous ways to order your steak.
But this also means there numerous ways to grill your steak at home! Check out the options below and look at the pics. Then ask anyone else you’re cooking for how they want their steak cooked. Knowing what your options are and what they’re called is the first step in ensuring all dinner companions experience a delicious meal.
Blue rare
Outside of the steak: Seasoned and room temperature (should be completed seared to kill any E coli present)
Inside of the steak: Extremely red/pink, still raw
Cook time: 3 minutes one side, then 2 minutes other side
Temperature: Around 115 degrees Fahrenheit
Rare
Outside of the steak: Seasoned and seared
Inside of the steak: The majority of the inside is still red/pink
Cook time: 5 minutes one side, then 3 minutes other side
Temperature: 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit
Medium rare
Outside of the steak: Well seared, firm and brown
Inside of the steak: About 50 percent of the inside is softer and rare
Cook time: 5 minutes one side, then 4 minutes other side
Temperature: 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit
Medium
Outside of the steak: A good sear
Inside of the steak: A little red, about 25% red
Cook time: 6 minutes one side, then 4 minutes other side
Temperature: 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit
Medium well
Outside of the steak: Much firmer, well seared
Inside of the steak: Barely any red/pink
Cook time: 7 minutes one side, then 5 minutes other side
Temperature: 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit
Well done
Outside of the steak: Very firm and completely seared (can be difficult to cook a steak this way without burning the outside)
Inside of the steak: Completely cooked through with no pink/red visible
Cook time: 12 minutes one side, then 10 minutes other side
Temperature: 160+ degrees Fahrenheit
NOTE: These cooking times are for steaks that are about 1-inch thick. If your meat is thicker or thinner you’ll need to estimate and adjust the time accordingly.
Now that you know how you want your steak cooked, lets’ grill up some Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak!
Instructions
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 6 – 10 minutes (depending on whether you want your steak rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, or well done.)
Total time: 15-20 minutes
Make the Texas Roadhouse Steak Rub
Before you do anything, heat the grill or make the dry rub, take your steak out of the refrigerator at least 20 minutes beforehand and let it come to room temperature. A really cold steak won’t cook evening. And we don’t want that 😉 It’s fine to rub your steak with the dry rub right out of the refrigerator, you just want to make sure you are putting a steak on the grill that just came out of the fridge.
Prepare your copycat recipe steak rub by combining the brown sugar, garlic powder, Kosher salt, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, turmeric, corn starch, and garlic salt. You can put it in a Ziploc baggie and shake it up. But what I love to do is to combine all of my ingredients in a mason jar and then shake shake shake! it makes it easier for storing later on.
Prepare your steak but rubbing your dry rub all over your meat. Don’t be stingy! Rub it in really well and make sure to get both sides. Then let your meat sit for at least 30 minutes with the rub. You want to give the steak time to absorb all that deliciousness goodness. The spices also help to start to tenderize the meat.
While your steak is resting with the spice rub, fire up your grill. Depending on the type of grill you use this step is obviously going to vary. But as a ball park, get your grill to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once your grill is hot, cook your steak on each side. Reference cooking times above. This going to vary depending on how you like your steak cooked. (Take a look up-top again if you don’t remember).
Remove your steak from the grill and let rest for at least 5 minutes on a cutting board.
Regardless of how you cook your meat, to make sure you get a juicy steak, you need to let your steak rest. This is super important. If you don’t let your steak rest and cut right into it, all the juices will immediately flow out of your meat. Which is the last thing you want!
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak
Equipment
- Grill
- Steak tongs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Sirloin steak
- 4 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 2 tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp corn starch
- 2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Before you do anything, heat the grill or make the dry rub, take your steak out of the refrigerator at least 20 minutes beforehand and let it come to room temperature. A really cold steak won’t cook evenly. And we don’t want that 😉 It’s fine to rub your steak with the dry rub right out of the refrigerator, you just want to make sure you are putting a steak on the grill that just came out of the fridge.
- Prepare your copycat recipe steak rub by combining the brown sugar, garlic powder, Kosher salt, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, turmeric, corn starch, and garlic salt. You can put it in a Ziploc baggie and shake it up. But what I love to do is to combine all of my ingredients in a mason jar and then shake shake shake! it makes it easier for storing later on.
- Prepare your steak but rubbing your dry rub all over your meat. Don’t be stingy! Rub it in really well and make sure to get both sides. Then let your meat sit for at least 30 minutes with the rub. You want to give the steak time to absorb all that deliciousness goodness. The spices also help to start to tenderize the meat.
- While your steak is resting with the spice rub, fire up your grill. Depending on the type of grill you use this step is obviously going to vary. But as a ball park, get your grill to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once your grill is hot, cook your steak on each side. Reference cooking times above. This going to vary depending on how you like your steak cooked. (Take a look up-top again if you don’t remember).
- Remove your steak from the grill and let rest for at least 5 minutes on a cutting board.
- Regardless of how you cook your meat, to make sure you get a juicy steak, you need to let your steak rest. This is super important. If you don’t let your steak rest and cut right into it, all the juices will immediately flow out of your meat. Which is the last thing you want!
Nutrition
What else does Texas Roadhouse have on its menu?
Texas Roadhouse might be known for their delicious steaks, and while those are definitely some of the best items on the menu, there are plenty of other great items to choose from too.
Some of the more delicious menu items include their fall-off-the-bone ribs, 6-ounce sirloin steak, and bacon-wrapped shrimp. All of these items are hearty and filling but still have a lot of flavor.
But if you’re looking for something a little lighter, the grilled chicken salad is a great option, or you can get a side of their famous cinnamon apples to really round out your meal.
Are you looking for more recipes from popular restaurants? We’ve got just that! Here’s our roundup of favorite copycat restaurants, from places like Texas Roadhouse to the Olive Garden.
What to Make with a Copycat Roadhouse Steak
Salad and Veggie Ideas
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Pancetta
Crispy Green Bean Fries with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Bread Ideas
Auntie Anne’s Copycat Pretzel
Pasta and Potatoes
Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
Dessert Ideas
Chewy Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Chunky Monkey Chocolate and Banana Bread Pudding
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
That’s it! All you need to recreate your favorite Texas Roadhouse meal. Wait, you didn’t think I forgot, did you? Last but not least, here are a few delicious cocktails to up your dinner game yet again.
Cocktail Ideas
More Steak Recipes
Have questions or want to say hi? Leave them in the comments below. Until next time: Stay salty, and sweat 😉