Transition Seasonings

• A spice that serves as a "transition seasoning" should be the base of your dry rub, used in the largest quantity. It's so named because it ties the flavors of the other ingredients together without dominating them. Paprika is your best bet for steak, though cumin or a mild chili powder works, too. Choose a paprika labeled "plain" or "regular" for milder taste. For more complexity, peruse your store's selection of Hungarian or Spanish paprika, which are labeled to indicate differing levels of sweetness, pungency and spiciness.

Salt and Pepper

• Salt is a key ingredient for steak, because it draws out and seasons its moisture, which is then reabsorbed by the meat -- provided you apply the rub in advance. Apply rubs at least an hour ahead of time, but for the best results, apply them a day or two before cooking. Add salt to taste, but don't skimp, because it's important for bringing out the steak's natural flavor. Include pepper in the rub to taste. Whole peppercorns or fresh coarsely cracked pepper adds the most texture and flavor. White pepper is a milder alternative to black.

Sweetness

• Some sweetness balances out the saltiness of the steak rub and adds a nice depth of flavor. For steak, though, you don't want a perfect balance between saltiness and sweetness; keep your rub heavier on the savory side. White sugar's not the best option, because it too easily burns with the high, direct heat typically used to cook steaks. Dark brown sugar is more resilient, but keep it minimal, since it too can end up scorched. If you use a sweet paprika variety, you can get away with little brown sugar.

Complexity and Personalization

• Once you've combined the transition spice, salt, pepper and brown sugar, you're ready to personalize and fully develop your steak rub. The possibilities are many and varied. If it's kick you're after, blend in two or three of your favorite spicy chili pepper powders as heavy-handed as you like. Mustard powder is a good option for more bite, too. Garlic and onion powder are standard inclusions, while coriander, turmeric and celery seed work well. Don't forget a dried herb or two, such as thyme, oregano or rosemary.