If you're looking for the Best Steak Seasoning recipe, this is it! It's a well-balanced mixture of some common ingredients like kosher salt, cracked peppercorn, and garlic powder, mixed with a few unexpected ingredients like cayenne and sumac! Try it with this grilled ribeye recipe!
This steak seasoning recipe is loaded with flavor and guarantees a flavorful and delicious steak! Although I love Montreal steak seasoning like the next guy (or girl), I wanted to try something a little different. One of the ingredients that makes my spice blend unique is sumac powder. Sumac is excellent on beef kofta kebabs and sumac chicken, so why not use it to season steaks?
When planning this steak seasoning recipe, I considered adding smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, chipotle pepper, and onion powder, but in the end, I was happy with the spice mixture that I created, which included dried rosemary and thyme.
I tested this steak seasoning recipe on some smoked steaks and all I can say is "WOW!" That had to be one of the most flavorful steaks I'd ever prepared. So if you think this spice mix sounds a little different, it is, but in a good way!
I use this seasoning as a dry rub, however, you can easily mix it into a small amount of olive oil to make a paste or add more oil to make a marinade.
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This steak seasoning recipe is simple to prepare using mostly ingredients you already have at home.
- This recipe makes 10 tablespoons of seasoning, good for 10+ steaks, depending on their size.
- You can easily halve the recipe, or make a full batch and freeze some of it.
🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pepper: Cracked peppercorn is my first choice but if you have to substitute black pepper, use ½ the amount since it's much finer.
- Salt: I prefer to use kosher salt because of its coarse texture. If you need to substitute, I recommend using an equal amount of sea salt.
- Garlic: Garlic powder, make sure you don't accidentally use garlic salt!
- Herbs: Dried thyme and rosemary. I don't recommend using fresh herbs, because they will spoil when stored in the jar long term.
- Other: Sumac, cayenne (optional). You can substitute 1 teaspoon of chile pepper flakes or chipotle pepper.
🥩 How to Make the Best Steak Seasoning
Step 1: Grind peppercorns using a spice grinder or spice mill until coarse.
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Step 2: In a small bowl, mix ground pepper with salt, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, sumac, and cayenne pepper (optional). Stir to combine then pour into a spice jar or a mason jar and store in a cool, dry location, for example, a pantry.
Step 3: To use this seasoning, generously season steak on all sides and cook as usual. I recommend using approximately 1 tablespoon of this seasoning for a 1-½ lb steak.
🍽 Other Ways To Use Steak Seasoning
This simple steak seasoning recipe can be used to season ribeyes, New York strip steak, or any other steak, but is versatile enough to season pork chops, elk backstrap, and chicken. But that is not all! This spice blend can also be used to season potatoes (like this air-fried potato wedges recipe) and grilled vegetables.
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
If you are after quick results, you can't go wrong with Montreal steak seasoning. However, if you want a unique flavor profile, consider making your own spice blend using your favorite spices.
Some popular seasoning options include cracked peppercorn, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Don't forget to add dried herbs to your seasoning too! You can't go wrong with thyme and rosemary.
Make sure you dry your steak thoroughly with paper towels first, then sprinkle seasoning all over the steak. Use your palm to gently press seasoning into the steak so that it will adhere to it.
If the steak is thick, 1-½+, use more seasoning than if you are working with a smaller, thinner steak. Sprinkling the spice mix with your hand gives you better control than using a shaker.
Dry brining is a technique that involves seasoning steak with salt and spices, then letting it air-dry in the refrigerator for several hours or more. Initially, the salt draws out moisture from the steak, creating a flavorful brine that is then reabsorbed, enhancing both taste and tenderness. The dry exterior helps achieve a perfect sear while sealing in the steak’s natural juices for a more flavorful bite.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Feel free to add some smoked paprika to this homemade seasoning blend for a hint of smoky flavor.
- For a more umami flavor, ground mushroom powder or MSG can enhance the flavor of this steak seasoning recipe!
- Try reverse searing the steaks, if you haven't already. The idea is to cook the steaks below the internal temperature that you prefer, then sear them at the end to get a nice crust and to bring up the temperature to your preferred doneness.
- Store steak rub in an airtight container, in a coold dry place, and it will keep for many months to come!
🧂 More Spice Recipes
If you enjoy this steak seasoning recipe, check out these other great spice mixes!
📖 Recipe
The Best Steak Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon peppercorns
- 3 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoon sumac powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Grind peppercorns using a spice grinder or spice mill until coarse.
- In a small bowl, mix ground pepper with salt, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, sumac, and cayenne pepper (optional). Stir to combine then pour into a spice jar or a mason jar and store in a cool, dry location, for example, a pantry.
- To use this seasoning, generously season steak on all sides and cook as usual. I recommend using approximately 1 tablespoon of this seasoning for a 1-½ lb steak.
Notes
- See the post for other ways to enjoy this seasoning!
- Feel free to add some smoked paprika to this homemade seasoning for a hint of smoky flavor.
- For a more umami flavor, ground mushroom powder or MSG can enhance the flavor of steak rub.
- Try reverse searing the steaks, if you haven't already. The idea is to cook the steaks below the internal temperature that you prefer, then sear them at the end to get a nice crust and to bring up the temperature to your preferred doneness.
- Store steak rub in an airtight container, and it will keep for many months to come!
Kathy Fisher says
I'm looking foward to trying this spice mix. I like the different uses for it and I'm sure I'll like marinating lesser quality cuts with the oil. I can always trust Hilda's recipes to be just as good as they sound. Thanks again Hilda for another great recipe.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Kathy! I was very pleased with the flavor and I think you would be too!
Hilda Sterner says
My family loved this recipe!