Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning: Make It At Home To Enjoy Big Flavor for Less Money

We’re often told that steak just needs salt and pepper to produce delicious meat. Sure, these core seasonings enhance the meat’s flavor, but if you’re craving a restaurant-quality steak you’ll need to add other spices to the mix. Take Texas Roadhouse for instance: Their steaks get generously rubbed with a sweet yet smoky seasoning before the meat is grilled. This creates juicy meat with a spiced crust that packs a flavor punch with each bite. If you’re looking to experience this steak seasoning for yourself, save a trip to the chain restaurant (and a pricey restaurant bill!) and make a 5-minute version. All you need is a handful of spices from your pantry to whip up a steak seasoning that’s just as good as the real thing. Keep reading to learn more about this seasoning blend, the secret to ensuring it sticks to meat and two recipes showcasing its versatility.

The ingredients in Texas Roadhouse steak seasoning

This prized steak seasoning contains a blend of paprika, sugar, salt, dehydrated garlic and other spices. What makes this seasoning special is the combination of smoky, sweet and salty flavors that complement any cut of steak.

The #1 secret for perfectly seasoned steaks

Seasoning is an easy way to add flavor to any cut of meat — but if that spice blend doesn’t stick to and evenly coat your steak, that effort is for naught. One of the top reasons seasoning blends don’t adhere to the meat’s surface is clumping. This happens when spices are exposed to air, moisture or temperature changes, causing the granules to stick together rather than remain separate. Clumping makes evenly distributing seasoning across the steak tricky, resulting in meat with areas that are either under- or overseasoned.

The good news is you can avoid this by incorporating a baking staple into the spice mix: cornstarch. “Cornstarch acts as an anti-caking agent, which keeps the spices from clumping,” Kim Benson, blogger at Insanely Good Recipes, says. “It also absorbs moisture, so the blend won’t dampen if it’s exposed to a bit of moisture.”

In addition to its anti-caking properties, cornstarch’s bland taste won’t affect the flavor of your seasoning blend. Try adding ½ tsp. of cornstarch per ⅔ cup of spice mix. This ensures the spice granules won’t bunch together, which allows to properly season the steak for a full-formed flavor crust. Yum!

A copycat Texas Roadhouse steak seasoning recipe

For a Texas Roadhouse-inspired DIY steak seasoning, follow this recipe from Jackson Edward, a culinary expert and founder of JacksonStBBQHouston.com. As with any homemade seasoning mix, you can adjust the measurements according to your desired levels of sweet, spicy and pungent flavors. (Click through to learn if seasonings expire or not.)

Homemade Steak Seasoning

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs. Kosher salt 
• 2 Tbs. coarsely ground black pepper 
• 1 Tbs. garlic powder 
• 1 Tbs. onion powder 
• 1 Tbs. paprika 
• 1 Tbs. dried thyme 
• 1 Tbs. dried rosemary, crushed
• 1 Tbs. brown sugar
• ½ tsp. cornstarch  

Directions:

• Active: 5 mins
• Total time: 5 mins
• Yield: approximately ⅔ cup

1. In medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until fully combined.
2. Use seasoning right away in recipe, or pour into airtight container and store in cool, dry place for no longer than 3 years. (Click through for our story addressing if seasoning does expire and how to keep it fresh.)
   
   Bonus: For added flavor and tenderness, allow seasoning to sit on meat at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to cooking.

2 recipes that use this copycat steak seasoning

Our test kitchen loves using steak seasoning to season cuts like sirloin as it’s lean yet quick-cooking and full of rich, beefy flavors. Below, you can find two recipes that are perfect to try when you’re looking to cook with that DIY steak seasoning!

Sirloin and Onion Sandwiches

Bottled balsamic dressing is the secret ingredient that makes juicy steak even more delicious.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette
• 1 Tbs. chopped rosemary
• 1 lb. boneless sirloin steak
• ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 4 tsp. steak seasoning
• 8 slices multigrain or white bread
• 1 cup drained sliced beets, from 15-oz. can (optional)
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cups baby arugula

Directions:

• Active: 35 mins
• Total time: 2 hrs, 35 mins + grill prep time
• Yield: 4 servings

1. Place dressing and rosemary in large plastic food-storage bag; add steak. Seal bag; chill 2 hrs, turning bag several times to evenly distribute marinade. In bowl, combine mayonnaise and garlic; reserve.
2. In medium nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add 1⁄2 cup water; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and water has evaporated, 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Prepare grill for medium-high direct-heat cooking. Remove steak from marinade; discard remaining marinade. Using paper towels, pat steak dry; rub with seasoning. Grill, flipping once, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Spread reserved mayonnaise mixture on one side of bread slices; top half with beets (if using), then tomatoes, steak, onions and arugula. Top with remaining bread, mayonnaise side down.

Steak and Quinoa Salad

Protein-packed quinoa makes this dish extra satisfying, but feel free to swap in couscous or rice if you prefer.

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup quinoa
• 1 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak, 1-inch thick
• 1 tsp. + 3 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 tsp. steak seasoning
• ¼ cup cherry preserves
• 4 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted, halved
• 1 scallion, chopped
• 2 Tbs. chopped + ¼ cup whole fresh mint leaves
• ⅓ cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

• Prepare grill for medium-high directheat cooking. Meanwhile, cook quinoa according to package directions; let cool. Rub steak with 1 tsp. oil and 1 tsp. seasoning. Grill steak, flipping once, 6 to 7 minutes per side for medium-rare or until desired doneness. Let stand 10 min.; slice.
• Chop preserves; mix with vinegar and remaining oil and seasoning. Add quinoa, cherries, scallion and chopped mint. Serve steak over salad with walnuts and whole mint leaves sprinkled on top.

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Keep reading for more tips and tricks that help you cook the juiciest steak possible!

Steak Tips Cost 50% Less Than Ribeye and Taste Even More Delicious — Chef Reveals the Secret to Juicy Results

Food Network Chef: Cutting a Flank Steak *This* Way Guarantees Tender and Juicy

This Surprising Ingredient Is the Key to Grilling the Juiciest and Most Flavorful Steak