This homemade Steak Seasoning recipe is the quickest and easiest way to upgrade steak night at home. The perfect blend of spices come together to enhance (yet never overpower) your steak for gourmet flavor without any of the work.
We're talking bold, steakhouse-quality flavor with layers of smoky, savory flavors that make every bite downright irresistible. Not to mention, this amazing steak seasoning recipe works wonders on literally any cut of beef, any time of day.
We love it just as much on steak and eggs come breakfast time as we do a cowboy cut ribeye for impressing guests on a Saturday night. Sprinkle it over air fryer filets to turn weeknights into 5-star magic! This recipe makes a big batch, so you can keep it in the spice cabinet for months.
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Why You'll Love This Steak Seasoning
In this house, we take beef—and anything that goes on it—very seriously. I married into a family of true beef experts; my husband grew up raising cattle, showing livestock, and even competed as a collegiate meat judge. With his expertise in the cattle industry and my years of recipe development, we've eaten, cooked, and critiqued more steaks than I can count. This steak seasoning is the best of all that experience in one perfect blend.
- Balanced Flavor | Salt and pepper enhance the beef, while the other herbs and spices add depth and nuance without overpowering it.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients | These are all simple spices you probably already have in your spice cabinet.
- Versatile | While this steak seasoning works wonders on popular steak cuts like T-bone and sirloin, it can also be used to season just about any cut of beef. I love it on recipes like slow cooker rump roast, Dutch oven chuck roast, and even stovetop classics like beef and noodles!
If you want an even more straightforward, no-fail approach, feel free to stick with the basics: two parts Kosher salt and one part black pepper. It's our go-to blend for the most prized cuts of beef like roasted beef tenderloin, prime rib, and even filet mignon. That simple mix lets the beef shine in all its juicy glory.
What You'll need (+ Easy Swaps)
Kosher Salt + Black Pepper | Kosher salt is our go-to choice for seasoning just about any cut of meat. Its larger crystals are flakier than table salt, which means it covers the beef evenly with no clumping. As for the pepper, we are course-ground pepper enthusiasts. If you have a pepper grinder and can grind your own, there is no better time to pull it out than when you are making your own steak seasoning!
Garlic + Onion Powder | Like most of our house-made seasonings, garlic powder, and onion powder, add a savory backbone and a mild sweetness to the mix. Both granulated garlic and granulated onion are great 1:1 swaps, if that's what you happen to have on hand.
Paprika | This ingredient is wonderful for brightening flavors and adding color to beef. It's mild, with just a touch of sweetness, and doesn't add too much heat. If you're cooking your steaks indoors, consider using smoked paprika. It will add a smoky depth that mimics the flavor of steaks grilled over fire.
Dried Thyme | This subtle herb is earthy and perfect for balancing out the richness of beef, adding warm, hearty vibes. Dried oregano or marjoram can substitute for thyme if needed.
Ground Coriander | This is actually one of my favorite ingredients to add to a steak seasoning. It's light and almost lemony in flavor. Lemon and steak might not sound like a classic pairing, but if you've ever had a Porterhouse cut topped with gremolata, you know this is a match made in heaven. This herb adds an unexpected brightness that cuts through the heaviness of marbled beef, awakening your taste buds to a flavor profile that is well beyond salty and savory. For a semi-smoky addition that still offers a bit of "lift", only with a slightly earthier vibe, sub in cumin.
How Make Amazing Steak Seasoning
It doesn't get much easier than this! Mix together all your ingredients in a bowl.
And if you love a homemade seasoning, add these to your spice cabinet collection: pork chop seasoning, salmon seasoning, and chicken seasoning. We can pretty much guarantee that these will become your new favorite pantry staples.
Tips for Seasoning Steak Like a Pro
For the maximum amount of flavor, season your steaks 1-24 hours before cooking and let them rest, uncovered, in the fridge on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. This gives the salt time to draw out moisture, dissolve, and then reabsorb back into the meat, adding depth of flavor without ruining your sear.
If you don't have an hour to spare, your best bet is to season and sear your steaks right before cooking, so the salt doesn't have enough time to pull moisture to the surface.
Place the steaks on a work surface, then pat the meat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This is important so the oil can stick. Drizzle with oil like avocado or canola oil. Typically, an oil with a high smoke point is preferred, as steaks are often cooked over high heat. The oil has a dual purpose: it helps the steaks sear properly and keeps the seasoning in place.
Sprinkle steaks with about 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning per side. And don't forget about the edges! The thickness of the steak determines how much seasoning you use. For a thicker steak (1 ½-2 inches), use closer to 2 teaspoons, for anything 1 inch or under, use 1 teaspoon per side. Pat into the steak.
This seasoning works for any cooking method, which makes it such a good seasoning for steak. Cook as desired and enjoy!
Steak Seasoning Q&A
Store your homemade steak seasoning in an airtight container at room temperature. Homemade steak seasoning will last for up to 6 months. However, be cautious of cross-contamination when using your steak seasoning.
This steak seasoning makes about ¾ cup of steak seasoning, which is enough to season up to 16 large steaks--that should last you a while! If you'd like to scale back or bump up the servings, use our recipe calculator slider bar in the recipe card below.
I recommend using 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning per side. However, the thicker the steak, the more seasoning you need. For a thicker steak, about 1 ½ to 2 inches, use closer to 2 teaspoons. For cuts 1 inch or smaller, use 1 teaspoon per side.
Yes! This seasoning works beautifully on pork chops, burgers, roast, chicken, and even veggies.
Montreal seasoning contains more salt and includes ingredients like dill seed and red pepper flakes. This homemade steak seasoning is smoother, more balanced, and better suited for a classic steakhouse quality finish.
More Seasoning Blends to Try
Steak Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
Instructions
MIX THE SEASONING:
- Mix all of the spice in a small bowl.
USE RIGHT AWAY OR STORE:
- If using right away, place your steaks on a work surface and remove any excess moisture with a paper towel. Lightly drizzle with your choice of cooking oil, and season both sides generously with the blend (about 1-2 teaspoons per side). Pat gently to adhere, and cook as desired.
- If storing, transfer the seasoning to an airtight jar, seal, and keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
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