Red Rum Cowboy Steak

Tired, dusty, and hungry after a long day on the ranch or the trail? This bold, smoky cowboy steak delivers big flavour with a spicy Red Rum Rub and a rich Rum Butter Sauce that will satisfy even the hungriest ranch hand.

Ingredients

Steaks

• 2 rib steaks (bone-in or boneless)

• ½ cup Red Rum Rub (recipe follows)

• Rum Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Red Rum Rub.

2. Generously coat both steaks with the rub, ensuring all sides are covered.

3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. For the best flavor, prepare the steaks before heading out for the day and let them marinate until dinner.

4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

5. While the grill heats, prepare the Rum Butter Sauce.

6. Grill the steaks for 5–8 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting the cooking time according to the thickness of the steaks and your preferred doneness.

7. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

8. Slice and serve drizzled generously with the warm Rum Butter Sauce.

Red Rum Rub

Ingredients

• 2 jalapeño peppers (add more if you like extra heat)

• 1 small red onion, peeled and quartered

• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered

• ½ cup chili oil

• 8 cloves garlic

• ¼ cup paprika

• ¼ cup amber rum

• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Place the jalapeños, onion, red pepper, chili oil, and garlic in an oven-safe baking dish. Toss to coat.

3. Roast for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and lightly charred.

4. Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender and purée until smooth.

5. Add the paprika, amber rum, cayenne pepper, and salt. Blend until well combined.

6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.

Cowboy Cook's Note: This versatile rub is also excellent on chicken, pork, and grilled vegetables.

Rum Butter Sauce

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons cold butter, divided

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup dark rum

• ½ cup your favorite barbecue sauce

• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add the garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant.

3. Pour in the dark rum and bring to a boil. Reduce the liquid by half.

4. Stir in the barbecue sauce and return to a gentle boil.

5. Remove from the heat and gradually whisk in the remaining cold butter until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.

6. Season with salt to taste and keep warm until serving.

Campfire Method

Heat a cast-iron skillet over a bed of hot campfire coals until it is sizzling hot. Cook the steaks for 5–8 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting the cooking time for the thickness of the steaks. Rest the meat for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with the Rum Butter Sauce.

Cowboy Tip

Make the Red Rum Rub and Rum Butter Sauce before heading out for the day. When you return to camp, all that's left is firing up the grill and cooking the steaks. It's a hearty cowboy meal that's full of bold flavor and guaranteed to satisfy both body and soul after a long day on the trail.