Better than Montreal Homemade Steak Seasoning
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Toss together a few ingredients to make the best Homemade Steak Seasoning you’ll ever taste! The smoky, savory, and warm blend of spices and herbs create the perfect combination of flavors to dress up ordinary steak. My amazing easy steak seasoning is the best way to boost tender steak to the next level.
So, stop buying steak seasoning from the grocery stores. This recipe saves you tons of money and tastes so much better!
Grilling season is one of my favorite times of the year and the perfect time for a steak dinner. My preferred way to season steak is using my homemade dry rub because it’s easy and ALWAYS results in a super flavorful steak.
This wonderful blend of spices also works for roasted corn, baked potatoes, grilled chicken, flaky fish, juicy pork chops, and filet mignon.
Drooling for more delicious seasonings and spice rubs? Try this Taco Seasoning with warm spices and a hint of heat or my classic Italian Seasoning Substitute for all your favorite stews, sauces, and Italian dishes.
And for those extra special occasions, check out my Citrusy Salmon Rub that gives a tasty salmon filet a perfectly sweet and zesty crust — YUM!
Key ingredients & substitutions for The Best Seasoning for Steak
- Salt and pepper | Like any tasty seasoning, include flaky kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper in this mix. If preferred, substitute the kosher salt with table salt or sea salt.
- Chili powder | For subtle heat and robust flavor, sprinkle chili powder into the blend. If necessary, use a lesser amount of cayenne pepper in its place.
- Onion and garlic powder | Garlic and onion powder bring rich and savory notes to the rub. You can use one or the other if you don’t have both on hand.
- Smoked paprika | Add smoked paprika to the seasoning blend for a smoky taste. Chipotle chili powder is a suitable substitute for the smoky notes of paprika. For a bit of heat, use hot paprika.
- Oregano | Just a dash of earthy oregano goes a long way. Feel free to use another herb, like dill, tarragon, or sweet basil.
- Cumin | Last but not least, add some warm and nutty cumin to deepen the flavors of the steak seasoning.
How to make Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning
Make a big juicy steak with amazing flavor with my homemade seasoning mix. Make it with simple ingredients you probably already have stocked away!
STEP 1 | Mix and store
Mix all the steak seasoning ingredients in a small bowl until they are well combined. Then, store the dry steak rub in an airtight container, like a mason jar, and keep it in a cool and dry place for up to 6 months!
tips
- You have complete control over the measurements and ingredients of this steak spice blend, so make it your own for the best flavor!
- Mix the steak seasoning blend with olive oil for a tasty marinade.
STEP 2 | Season the steaks
Using this seasoning blend to cook up a good steak is super easy!
Just sprinkle the seasoning on all of the surfaces, including the sides of the steak, and gently press it in. Allow the steaks to rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
tip
- For the seasoning to stick to the steak’s surface, remember to pat it dry with a paper towel first.
STEP 3 | Grill, rest, and serve!
Preheat the grill to 450 degrees. Once heated, grill the seasoned steaks until you reach your desired internal temperature. You can check this using an instant-read thermometer.
Finally, remove the steaks to a plate and tent them with aluminum foil for about 5 to 10 minutes. All that’s left is to serve it up and enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Steak is already flavorful on its own, so many people simply season it with salt and ground black pepper. However, choosing the right seasonings can boost the natural and delicious beef flavor.
Some of the most popular spices and herbs for seasoning steaks are paprika, garlic, onion, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes, many of which are included in today’s steak seasoning recipe.
Whether or not your steaks are finished mostly depends on your preference. A rare steak should reach an internal temperature of 125 degrees with a bright red center. But, if you like your steak well done, you’ll want the temperature closer to 160 degrees with hardly any pink or none at all.
And, of course, there’s all the in-between. The meat is medium-rare at 135 degrees, medium at 145 degrees, and medium-well at 150 degrees.
You’ll make a few servings of this steak rub, but you only need about a tablespoon for each pound.
It’s easy to assume you should season your steak just before grilling or pan-frying. But steak is best when you season it overnight or at least an hour or two before cooking. This is especially true if the blend contains salt, like this homemade seasoning mix.
Serving suggestions
Swap the basic seasoning of this Steakhouse-Quality Pan-Seared New York Strip Steak Recipe for your freshly mixed homemade blend, or try it on the steak for my refreshing and filling Grilled Steak Salad with French Vinaigrette.
Homemade steak seasoning is also great for adding flavor to these Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or simple Grilled Corn in Foil.
Behind the recipe: The Best Steak Seasoning Mix
This famous blend of spices and herbs is often referred to as Montreal Steak Seasoning. It is based on the same ingredients Eastern Europeans historically used for pickling recipes.
It made its way to the western hemisphere through Jewish immigrants fleeing to Montreal, Canada– Hense, the name. It is also commonly known as Canadian Steak Spice or Canadian Steak Seasoning.
Better Than Montreal Steak Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together all the spices in a small bowl until well combined. Store tightly sealed in a dry place for up to 6 months.
- To use, sprinkle seasoning on all surfaces (even the sides) of steaks and gently press into the surface. Allow the steaks to rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Grill the steaks on a 450-degree grill until the desired internal temperature. Remove steaks and tent with aluminum foil for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are for the seasoning only and do not include the meat.
- You have complete control over the measurements and ingredients of this steak spice blend, so make it your own for the best flavor!
- Mix the steak seasoning blend with olive oil for a tasty marinade.
- For the seasoning to stick to the steak’s surface, remember to pat it dry with a paper towel first.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Sheila Thigpen
Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer
Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.
