This simple recipe for spice rubbed steak with corn tomato salsa will add some zing to your next grilled supper!
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Why we love this recipe ❤️
Every time I make steak with a dry rub, I wonder why I don’t always make steak with a mixture of spices rubbed all over it.
This speedy extra step adds that extra pop of flavor to your steak…and in the case of this recipe, we are going to take things over the top by adding a mixture of grilled corn and tomatoes tossed with lime juice that gets scattered on top of your sliced steak and OH MY MY.
It’s a complete dinner on one glorious plate, and I am here for it!
What is a dry rub? 🌶️
A dry rub is a mixture of (yep!) dry ingredients— usually salt, herbs, and spices—that is (yep!) rubbed into a a piece meat, poultry or fish before you cook it.
You mix up whatever combo of rub ingredients you like and then gently press it all over the surface of your main ingredient. The rub will add flavor and will form a light and scrumptious crust when you cook it.
Ingredients you need 🥩
Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝
- Steak: We usually use a rib-eye steak for this recipe, but any tender steak that works well on the grill is fine – sirloin, strip steak, even hanger or skirt steak. You may want to adjust the cooking time if you are using a thinner steak like hanger.
- Tomatoes: You can swap in a large chopped tomato or two for the cherry tomatoes if that is what you have on hand.
- Chili Powder: You can adjust the spiciness of your steak by using less 🙋🏼♀️ or more 🔥 chili powder in your rub.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe 👩🏻🍳
STEP 1: Heat your grill to high. Baste some corn with olive oil.
STEP 2: Grill your corn, turning them occasionally until kernels are starting to char, about 3 to 5 minutes. Cool until you can handle it, and then cut the kernels off with a paring knife.
STEP 3: Mix the corn together with the other salsa ingredients and set aside.
STEP 4: Mix the the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dry mustard and cumin together in a small bowl.
STEP 5: Rub the spice mixture vigorously onto both sides and the edges of the steak. Drizzle with a little olive oil and rub again.
STEP 6: Place on the hot grill for 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare. Let rest under foil for 10 minutes.
STEP 7: Slice your steak, cover generously with the salsa and serve!
Recipe FAQs 🧐
Not if you don’t want to – you can use the kernels right off the cob in either raw or cooked form – but grilling does add another level of flavor. And since the grill is on anyway…😍
It all depends on the spice mixture! It is medium spicy, but you can make it more or less spicy by adding more or less chili powder.
You can definitely make the salsa and the spice mixture ahead of time. Rub and grill the steak right before dinnertime to get the best flavor and texture.
Pop your question in the Comments section under the recipe card and I will answer pronto!
Equipment we used for this recipe 🥣
These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!
- Measuring Cup: We love these angled cups that show the measurements on both the inside and outside of the cup.
- Cutting Board: These sturdy, dishwasher-safe cutting boards come in all different sizes.
- Citrus Juicer: We love this handy juicer that catches every single seed.
- Paring Knife: This all-purpose knife is perfect for cutting off those tender kernels of corn.
- Pyrex Mixing Bowls: These classic sturdy bowls come in all different sizes and are great for everything from mixing ingredients to being casual serving bowls.
- Measuring Spoons: These handy magnetic spoons are not on a ring, so you can just pick the one you need.
- Basting Brush: This handy silicone brush is perfect for spreading everything from olive oil to egg wash on whatever you are cooking up.
Other steak recipes we love! 💕
We want to know what you think! 🤔
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe card.
Spice Rubbed Steak With Corn Tomato Salsa
This simple recipe for spice rubbed steak with corn tomato salsa will add some zing to your next grilled supper!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the salsa
- 4 ears corn, husked
- Olive oil for basting
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in halves or quarters
- Juice from one lime
- Chopped parsley
- A few shakes of hot sauce (optional)
For the steak
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 pound flank steak (or thereabouts – can be a little bigger or a little smaller)
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Heat grill to high. Baste corn with olive oil and grill, turning occasionally until kernels are starting to char. Cool until you can handle it, and then cut the kernels off with a paring knife.
- Mix the corn together with the other salsa ingredients and set aside.
- Mix the the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dry mustard and cumin together in a small bowl.
- Rub the spice mixture vigorously onto both the sides and the edges of the steak. Drizzle with a little olive oil and rub again.
- Place on the hot grill for 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare. Let rest under foil for 10 minutes.
- Slice the steak, cover generously with the salsa and serve!
Notes
-
- Steak: We usually use a rib-eye steak for this recipe, but any tender steak that works well on the grill is fine – sirloin, strip steak, even hanger or skirt steak. You may want to adjust the cooking time if you are using a thinner steak like hanger.
-
- Tomatoes: You can swap in a large chopped tomato or two for the cherry tomatoes if that is what you have on hand.
-
- Chili Powder: You can adjust the spiciness of your steak by using less 🙋🏼♀️ or more 🔥 chili powder in your rub.
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