CATTLEMAN'S GRILL: 8 Second Ride Carne Asada Seasoning – 283g

Eight seconds is all you get

Carne asada lives and dies on a hard, fast sear over coals — thin beef, big heat, no hiding. This is Cattleman's Grill's answer to it: a spicy blend built on red peppers, cayenne, garlic and onion that takes the flame without turning bitter. Named for the eight seconds a rider has to stay on the bull, and it carries about the same amount of restraint.

The flavour

Red pepper and cayenne come first — bright, warm, unmistakably chilli-forward. Garlic and onion fill the middle and give it the savoury backbone that stops the heat from being the only note. The finish is dry and lingering rather than sweet, which is exactly why it crusts so well on thin cuts over direct fire.

How to cook with it

• Rub skirt or flank steak with a little oil, coat it heavily, and rest it thirty minutes before it hits a screaming charcoal grill — two to three minutes a side, then slice hard against the grain.
• Season chicken thighs the night before, uncovered in the fridge, so the surface dries and the crust sets properly.
• Work a spoonful through beef mince for tacos or burger patties instead of seasoning the outside only.
• Dust grilled corn while it is still hot and wet with butter, then squeeze lime over the top.

In the shaker

A coarse, rust-red blend with visible chilli flake and pale grains of garlic and onion running through it. Coarse enough to build real texture on a thin steak, which is the whole point on a fast, hot cook.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: A spicy blend made with red peppers, cayenne peppers, garlic and onion. Full ingredient statement to be confirmed from the physical label.

Dietary: Cattleman's Grill state no MSG, no chemical preservatives and no anti-caking agents across the range. Gluten status not confirmed from a published statement — always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Every coal-fired cook needs one shaker with a temper, and this is it. Get the grill properly hot and leave the steak alone — flipping thin beef every ten seconds is how you end up with grey meat and no crust. Bring it home with Kosmos Q Apple Chipotle BBQ Sauce and a spoon of Drunken Sailor Jalapeno & Tequila Relish alongside the tortillas.

Questions answered

How hot is 8 Second Ride?
Medium. Cattleman's Grill describe it as a spicy blend built on red peppers and cayenne — noticeable heat, but balanced by garlic and onion rather than pure fire.

What cuts suit carne asada seasoning?
Thin, fast-cooking beef: skirt, flank and thinly sliced short rib. It also works well on chicken thighs and through beef mince for tacos.

Does it contain MSG?
No. Cattleman's Grill state that they do not use MSG, chemical preservatives or anti-caking agents in any of their blends.