A rub can add amazing flavor to even your every day roasts and steaks. I’m sharing some spice rubs for holiday roasts and steaks from some of my friends.
There are traditional meats we ate at certain holidays. Turkey at Thanksgiving; that’s a no brainer. We have ham for New Year’s and Easter. Only because black eyes peas don’t really go with anything else but ham. Then there’s Christmas.
Now, when I was growing up, we used to have ham and turkey for Christmas. That’s only because we always had orphans over for dinner. You know, those friends that don’t have family close and cannot travel home for the holidays? Needless to say, our table(s) were always full and there wasn’t an empty chair in the house.
Now, it’s my turn to determine what the holiday traditions are.
And, since about 2002 or so I’ve determined that a rib roast is our Christmas dinner. I’ve served it every year since. One year, we were lucky enough to have Certified Angus Beef brand rib roast for dinner. It was the BEST Christmas dinner ever. Since then I’ve vowed to go the extra mile and get their roast for Christmas dinner. Nothing compares.
My sister asked me recently what rub I put on the roast. I said, and I quote, “Made up shit.” Meaning, whatever strikes my fancy that year. Sometimes it’s a Chicago steak rub with a prime rib rub blend. Most times it’s a strong rosemary blend that is on the roast along with garlic and some onion. Then there was the one year I did a roasted shallot rub for our roast.
That’s what prompted this round up of rub recipes for holiday roasts and steaks. She’s such an inspiration sometimes without even knowing it. I make rubs all the time, but rarely capture and share the recipe.
Since I have relationships with some of those in the know about how to season and flavor beef, I reached out to them for their best recipes. Be prepared to take notes and pin your little life away with these delicious roast and steak rub recipes. I know I have some new recipes in my little recipe box to try next time I’m hankering for a hunk of beef.
Spice Rubs for Holiday Roasts and Steaks
1. I heard all about this rub from my #SundaySupper family who went to the Blythe Angus Ranch. I met Debbie Lyons-Blythe at the last Food Wine Conference. It was a pleasure to hear speak about sustainable farming. And she was even more pleasant to chat with outside of the conference room before breakfast that Sunday. I didn’t have the recipe until now, but you can bet this one will be a pantry staple from now on.
2. I love using rubs that feature different ethnic flavors. Next is this French Rub from Certified Angus Beef has delicious thyme and tarragon in it. I think tarragon is one herb that’s underused but so full of flavor. This would be a perfect rub for a delicious steak nicoise salad. Or a roast with some pommes anna and haricots verts.
3. Roast shallot and herb roast has amazing flavor. There’s the sweetness of the roasted shallots. Then the herbs that are combined and spread on the outside of the roast. And finally, the roast itself. You can’t go wrong with an amazing Certified Angus Beef brand roast.
4. In a similar fashion, Life Tastes Good prepared a Garlic Crusted Prime Rib Roast for dinner. It’s packed with delicious garlic and thyme flavors. So simple yet perfectly seasoned for this delicious roast.
5. The simplicity of this rub from Wishes and Dishes highlights the rich flavor of the roast. With just a little salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, and onion powder, you can have an amazing roast on your holiday table.
6. Julie’s Spice Rub Recipe from Hostess at Heart is a kicked up rub for your holiday roast. This definitely lends itself to more cowboy style flavors for the holidays. I see this rub on a roast that’s grilled along side some fluffy biscuits, green beans, and scalloped potatoes.
7. You can’t talk about rubs without mentioning the delicious Santa Maria rub. Certified Angus Beef brand had a make your own rub station at the Food Wine Conference 2016. This was my first introduction to this fabulous rub. It’s good on every meat known to man. We’ve put it on steaks, pork chops, and chicken. I’ve put this in burgers, too. It’s truly an all around good pantry staple to have on hand.
8. My mother cooks brisket for the holidays. My step-dad is Jewish and they keep to a kosher-ish lifestyle. It’s a little hard to be completely kosher where they live, but they try. They always have brisket for Hanukkah and other Jewish meals. If you’re cooking a brisket, then this rub from Spiced would be perfect! I love the flavors and smokiness it gives the brisket.
9. This amazing rub from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings has a sweet and savory combination to it. She added honey, but she also added an ingredient that I put in almost all of my rubs. Mustard powder. It has that little oomph that some will not recognize, but all will love.
10. If you don’t want to kick up the oven, but still want an amazing brisket, then try this rub. Soulfully Made slow cooked her brisket to fork tender perfection. This recipe also has an amazing barbecue sauce to top your brisket with. It makes an amazing sandwich, too.
11. Pook’s Pantry combines all my favorite rub flavors into one. Here’s the Rub marries mustard powder with coffee and chili pepper for an ultimate rub. It’s delicious on roasts, steaks, and even burgers.
12. I have very few cookbooks. I’ve never been one to really go through and cook a recipe from a cook book. However, here are a few exceptions, of course. I think I bought this one in Texas. If not, then I have no idea where I got it. However, what I do know is that Texas Cowboy Cooking has the most amazing rub recipe for brisket. It’s from Perini Ranch and one that I use often. I keep it on hand for a quick addition of flavor to steaks and roast like a flat-iron. It’s no wonder that Texas Highways shared this recipe from the Perini Ranch and now I’m sharing it in this roundup.
13. You couldn’t expect me to omit a rub recipe that has bourbon in the title could you? Of course not! Bourbon is in my blood! Palatable Pastime uses a special type of smoked paprika in her recipe. It’s smoked with bourbon barrels for an added layer of flavor to their paprika and this rub recipe.
14. Because you can never have enough rub recipes, here’s an all purpose one from Take Two Tapas. Her All Purpose Steak Spice Mix is full of steakhouse flavor that you can use on any meat.
15. And to round this recipe round up out, here’s a delicious rub from Eat Picks that they use on a top round roast. This Coffee Rubbed Roast Beef is rich and perfect for any roast.
Chubskulit Rose says
It is amazing how these spice rubs can make to the flavors of the meat. Those looks so good that it is making me hungry!
Chris says
Sometimes a rub can make or break a meat depending on the cut.
Amanda says
What a great post for meat lovers like me! I can’t wait to try out your rubs this winter. It’s when I crave heavy and flavorful meals the most!
Chris says
I hope you enjoy them! I crave meat year round. Especially if it’s Certified Angus Beef brand meat!
Ricci says
Some of my favorite recipes have come from just making shit up…LOL! I need to try this rub, it sounds delicious!!
Chris says
LOL That’s what I do all the time. And that’s exactly how I put it, too!
Sandy N Vyjay says
Food without spice is anathema to us. We love our pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. They add the flavour and aroma to our foods.
Chris says
Absolutely! And those are not just sweet spices. I love the depth they add to masala!
Pam says
I need to check out these rub recipes. The roasted shallot rub sounds like something I would really enjoy.
Chris says
Thank you! It was delicious on the rib roast.
Anosa says
Incredible roundup of some lovely spice rubs, I don’t often do spice rubs but I have a few my mother makes for me.
Chris says
They’re a great way to spice up steak or roast. I have several in my pantry.
Heather says
I agree! The right kind of rub can make meats taste significantly better! I hope to experiment more with that this year!
Chris says
So true! Especially for a less desirable cut of meat it can make it fantastic.
Danielle Fox says
The Julie’s Spice Rub Recipe from Hostess at Heart is a mix I would totally use throughout the year. My husband and I eat steaks typically once a week and we love trying different rubs. Thanks for this great collection of rubs!
Chris says
Lucky you! We only eat them every so often and definitely not much outside of grilling season.
Marysa says
It would be fun to try some of these. And even to make some as gifts! My husband does some basic spice rubs and these sound like interesting recipes to try out.
Chris says
Definitely great for gifts! Such a thought one at that.
candy says
We have been making our own rubs for many many years now. Now we have been grown our own herbs to make fresh rubs or to dehydrate and blend later.
Chris says
I wish we had the space to do that. Freshly dried herbs are so flavorful!
Tomi C says
My husband has a secret rub he uses for his smoked meats. All I know is it contains salt, brown sugar, white pepper and some other stuff from our spice rack. He actually mixes it and shares with family and friends as gifts as it is often requested especially during the peak BBQ season.
Chris says
Now I want to know what else is in there! Sounds delicious.
Sarah Bailey says
There is something amazing about a good rub, it can make all the difference to a meal when you get that flavouring perfect.
Chris says
So very true!
Jeanette says
I am definitely going to pin this. I am always looking for different rubs! I do a lot with different meats and they always get boring after a while. Different rubs give it a new flavor.
Chris says
I try to convince my husband of that when he shakes his head at the pantry full of herbs, spices, and mixes.
Rosemary Palmer says
I love mixing my own spices and rubs especially since I don’t like spicy or black pepper. Most premixed are full of these. Also whenever I can use fresh herbs – the best.
Chris says
For me it was the salt. I couldn’t stand all that salt in the premixed blends. And fresh herbs always make a world of difference.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
We don’t usually roast anything for the holidays. Garlic prime rib does sound yummy, even though it’s only breakfast time right now.
Chris says
For me, there’s never a mad time for prime rib! Some of these are even good for poultry and pork, too!
robin rue says
I marinate a lot, but I have never tried a spice rub before. I think I am going to have to try one next time I make a roast.
Chris says
Think of it as a dry marinade. At least that’s how I see it.
Alli Smith says
I’m always on the lookout for new spice rubs! My mom’s cajun turkey rub is always in my top 10 most viewed posts so I know others love to find good rubs too. You’ve shared several I want to try.
Chris says
I hope you do! I’ll have to check out your Cajun turkey post.
Julie says
I’m literally just drooling! This is not the day to have soup. I want a big ole steak or roast with one of these great rubs! Thank you so much for including me in on this round-up!
Chris says
You’re very welcome and thank you for sharing your recipe with me. Now I’m craving a big ole steak!