Stead justified the judgement of manager Graeme Souness by scoring the matchwinning goal with his first shot in Premiership football.
It was an early dividend for Blackburn and a relief for former Boro midfield player Souness.
The win eased the relegation fears of Blackburn, but was a major disappointment to Middlesbrough following their Carling Cup semi-final triumph over Arsenal.
After the euphoria of the Carling Cup success, Middlesbrough gave a lacklustre display and there was some booing by a section of the fans at the final whistle.
Quite a contrast to the Cup tie with Arsenal when the players received a standing ovation when they left the field.
Middlesbrough's players wore black armbands in memory of two former players, Ronnie Dicks and Tommy Bleckinsopp, who had died in the previous two weeks.
The home side gave a midfield place to Stuart Parnaby while Rovers introduced Stead to their attack.
Middlesbrough should have taken the lead within three minutes. Massimo Maccarone gave the ball to Gaizka Mendieta, who shot wide with only Brad Friedel to beat.
Boro manager Steve McClaren had warned his players before the game that there were places up for grabs in the Carling Cup final at Cardiff on February 29th.
There was a lack of urgency, however, about Middlesbrough's play in the early stages and the game had been in progress 28 minutes before Bolo Zenden had another shot at goal.
Juninho then put a quick free-kick through to Mendieta who shot into the welcoming arms of Friedel.
Middlesbrough struggled to put their act together, but in the opening half hour or so there was no threat in attack from Blackburn.
Andy Todd was responsible for Blackburn's first shot after 36 minutes.
Todd, the son of former Middlesbrough manager Colin Todd, was so far adrift with his shot that the ball went out for the throw in on the right.
Stead, however, showed Todd how to do it three minutes later.
After a Danny Mills tackle on Paul Gallagher the ball ran along the edge of Middlesbrough's penalty area to Stead. Blackburn's new boy took full advantage and calmly shot into the net.
A proud moment for the debutant and for any Blackburn fans who had backed him at 8-1 to score the first goal.
Juninho had dominated the first half of the Arsenal cup tie but against Blackburn there were no flashes of the Brazilian's skills.
McClaren introduced Stewart Downing and Joseph-Desire Job for the second half.
There was more urgency about Middlesbrough's play at this stage and from a Job header Juninho shot over the bar with a goodscoring chance.
Friedel made a brilliant point-blank save from Juninho shortly after when an equaliser looked on the cards.
Shortly after, Craig Short saved a dangerous situation for Blackburn with a brilliant tackle on Job.
Blackburn continued to defend resolutely with Friedel impressive in goal, especially as he saved a powerful long- range shot by Zenden.
Middlesbrough had 12 attempts at goal in the second half compared to the visitors' four, but there was never any real conviction about their play.
Blackburn were happy to take three points away from the Riverside Stadium while Middlesbrough are left to ponder on what might happen in the next two Premier league matches before the Carling Cup final.
Those games are away to Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Man of the Match: Brad Friedel – earned his side all three points with a string of fine saves, to edge out matchwinning Rovers debutant Jon Stead.