NY Strip Steak with Garlic Cumin Spice Rub

Today we bring you an updated version of our NY Strip Steak recipe, with a delicious and simple spice rub. Whether you are in the mood for grilling New York strip steak or preparing it in the oven, we’ve got you covered here! We have also added a wine pairing suggestion. Disclosure: the wine suggested here was provided as a complimentary sample from the winery.

Just in time for Labor Day, we are updating this delicious recipe to include instructions for grilling New York strip steak! For more grilling inspiration, check out our 59 Grilling Recipes for Labor Day Weekend.

A good quality cut of steak such as a NY Strip doesn’t need much adornment. So I typically go for a simple dry steak rub, such as the cumin garlic rub featured in this recipe.

Give the rub a few minutes to absorb into the meat as you heat the grill or oven, and then it’s time to get cooking!

Our other key to a delicious New York strip steak is getting the cooking timing right, so it comes out a tender and juicy medium rare. We’ve got instructions here for you to achieve perfect deliciousness, whether you are grilling or cooking the strip steak in the oven.

Jump to:

• What is a NY strip steak?
• Making a dry spice rub
• Spice rub variations
• Best way to prepare NY strip steak
• Grilling New York strip steak
• NY Strip Steak in Oven
• Wine pairing
• Recipe card

What is a NY strip steak?

The New York strip steak is cut from the short loin, the source for a number of the top cuts of steak. It typically comes as a boneless steak.

The name relates to the steakhouses of New York where this cut of steak gained popularity. You can find it going by other names including strip loin steak and Kansas City steak. But NY strip steak is by far the most common term.

Making a dry spice rub

Sure, you can be premixed spice rubs at the store. But it is very easy to make your own spice rub at home. That gives you control over the amount of each ingredient you want to use. And you know exactly what is in the rub when you make your own!

I have referred to the garlic cumin rub featured today as “Dad’s favorite spice rub”. It is definitely one of my go to rubs!

To make the rub, simply add the salt and dried spices to a bowl. Note that you can modify the rub ingredients to suit your tastes. For instance, one reader noted they reduced the salt and added coriander.

Stir the spices to combine.

To apply the rub to the steak, simply sprinkle the desired amount of the dry rub onto the steak.

Gently rub the spice mix in with your fingers.

Reminder: wash your hands thoroughly before and after working with the raw meat!

Give the rub 15 to 20 minutes to absorb into the meat.

Spice rub variations

It’s very easy to vary dry spice rubs for steak. Mine almost always have salt and garlic powder. From there, I will mix up what I use next. I often do a rub with garlic, salt and thyme. Sometimes I use rosemary in addition to or instead of the thyme.

For something a little different, try our turmeric spiced steak.

Best way to prepare NY strip steak

OK, once you have a dry spice rub on your NY strip steak, what is the best way to cook it?

I’d have to say my preference is for grilling New York strip steak. But we’ve also had great results cooking a New York strip in the oven, so we are going to give you details on both options!

Grilling New York strip steak

Here are our simple steps for grilling a NY strip steak:

1. Preheat one side of a grill on medium high while the steak absorbs the spice rub. Leaving a portion of the grill unheated allows you to cook on both direct and indirect heat.
2. Start grilling the steak: Coat the grill with cooking oil, then add the steak to cook directly over the heat. Cover the grill, and cook for 6 minutes on direct heat.
3. Finish grilling: Turn the steak over, and place on the portion of the grill without the direct heat. Cover to grill on indirect heat for about 7 more minutes. Check for doneness — we like medium rare, which has an internal temperature of 135 degrees. 
4. Rest and serve: When the steak has reached your desired doneness, remove the steak from the grill and let it rest on a platter for about 5 minutes. Then slice the steak and serve!

NY Strip Steak in Oven

Not grilling weather? Here’s how to cook a delicious New York strip steak in the oven!

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Heat skillet: Coat an oven proof skillet with oil spray, and place on the stove top, medium high. When the skillet is hot, add the steak.
3. Sear the steak on the stove top for two minutes on one side, then flip and sear on the other side for one more minute. Use a potholder to move the skillet to the oven.
4. Roast the steak in the oven for 12 to 14 minutes for medium rare (135 degrees internal meat temperature). When the steak is done to you liking, remove from oven and let rest on a platter for a few minutes.
5. Slice the steak about ½ inch thick to serve.

For another great steak you can make when it’s not grilling weather, try our Oven Roasted Sirloin Steak with Onion Sauce!

Wine pairing

We had a bottle of the 2018 L’Ecole N° 41 Columbia Valley Syrah ($25) ready for our recent grilling New York strip steak project. Our friends at L’Ecole shared this wine with myself and other collaborating wine bloggers, noting that it is a perfect summer barbecue wine. So it seemed like a perfect option for a night we planned to make NY strip steak on the grill!

I get pine forest on the nose of the L’Ecole Columbia Valley Syrah. Velvety mouthfeel. On the palate, plum and cherry fruit along with some baking spices. Definitely a good pairing for the NY Strip Steak with Garlic Cumin Rub!

A Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel can also work with this steak dish.

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Recipe card

Tools to use: This recipe uses an oven proof, cast iron skillet. I’m a member of the Amazon affiliate program, meaning the links to the skillet in this post take you to where you can purchase it on Amazon. I would receive a small commission if you should choose to purchase using the link.