Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Gather and measure your spices. Pull out all your spices and check their freshness by giving each a sniff. Measure each ingredient carefully into separate small piles or directly into your mixing bowl.
- Add the coarse kosher salt and black pepper to your mixing bowl first. Use your whisk or fork to blend them together until evenly distributed.
- Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and garlic powder over the salt and pepper mixture. Stir thoroughly to prevent any clumping, breaking up any lumps with the back of your spoon.
- Add the onion powder, ground coriander, dried thyme, and ground cumin to the bowl. Mix well to distribute these smaller amounts evenly throughout.
- Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes. If using brown sugar, crumble it finely before adding to prevent sweet pockets.
- Spend a full minute whisking or stirring the blend vigorously until completely uniform. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate any spices clinging there.
- Taste and adjust the blend to your preference. Add extra pepper flakes for more heat or additional smoked paprika for more smokiness.
- Transfer to a clean, completely dry glass jar using a small funnel. Label with the name and date, and store in a cool, dark place.
Notes
For the most flavorful crust, season your steak generously and let it sit uncovered in the refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight before cooking. Use approximately 1 teaspoon per side for an average sized steak. Properly stored in an airtight container, this blend stays fresh for 4 to 6 months.
