Best Steak Seasoning Recipe
The Best Steak Seasoning Recipe: This easy homemade steak rub recipe combines the best herbs and spices for beef steak for that perfect steakhouse finish!
Why We Love This Best Steak Seasoning Recipe
Over the years we have used different steak seasonings with an endless list of herbs, marinades, dry rub blends, and seasoning mixes. Some store-bought and some homemade.
Although there is a time and place for beef marinades, I firmly believe that dry steak rubs are best for providing flavor and that perfect steakhouse taste and texture.
Our Best Steak Seasoning Recipe is a family favorite, with bold spicy notes, and a touch of tangy sweetness. It’s the perfect blend of salt, sweetness, robust herbs, smokey essence, spicy heat, and acidity.
Ingredients You Need
- Sea salt – or any coarse salt
- Brown sugar – helps to balance the flavors
- Smoked paprika – for a slightly smoky flavor, use smoked paprika
- Ground ancho chile pepper – or regular chili powder as a substitute
- Dried thyme – for an herby addition, you can add a little rosemary too if you’d like
- Black pepper – pepper and steak always go well together
- Garlic powder & Onion powder – both provide a savory depth of flabor
- Ground mustard – for a hint of mustard
- Ground cumin – slightly spicy and floral
Together these pantry staples make the most amazing steak rub you will ever try!
How To Use Steak Seasoning
If you rub the spices into the surface of the meat a few minutes before grilling, the seasoning has time to sneakily work its magic. This steak seasoning is the best because it gently infuses the interior of the beef with a mild level of flavor, so the rich beefy essence shines through. Plus, the exterior is left with a bold crusty texture that provides the perfect contrast to the luxurious center.
- Mix all of the herb and spice ingredients in a small bowl.
- Either use the seasoning immediately or store in a small airtight container until ready to use. (This recipe makes enough to season 4 large steaks.)
- When ready to use, rub the seasoning over all sides of the steaks, and allow them to rest for at least 20 minutes before grilling or searing.
Tips & Tricks
- Add some spice! If you like a little bit of spice in your food, you can add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper!
- Make it ahead! This seasoning can be made ahead or made in large batches and saved for later. That way you’ll always have the tastiest seasoning ready for any BBQ or steak night. Store the homemade spice blend in a jar or airtight container and place it in a cool dry place for up to 3 months.
- Wrap it up and gift it! This is a great edible gift to share with friends. (Think summer party takeaways, Father’s Day or even holiday gifts!) It’s a thoughtful and flavorful gift that keeps on giving.
Serving Suggestions
Here are my favorite side dishes that go along with a fabulous steak!
The Best Potato Salad Recipe – Potatoes are a staple with any steak dinner. This is a fan-favorite recipe that is sure to please a crowd.
Roasted Cauliflower Rice – For a grain-free and healthier side dish, try this Roasted Cauliflower Rice!
Oven Roasted Broccoli Recipe – Balance this hearty meal out with some broccoli. This recipe makes perfectly oven-roasted broccoli every time!
Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad – For a Mexican twist, make this super yummy Street Corn Salad! Perfect for summer barbeques.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get this question a lot, because I think that a lot of people are scared to season their steak incorrectly and mess it up! Since steak is generally more expensive than other cuts of meat, I totally get it. You can season steak with a lot of different spices and seasonings, or you can go simple with just salt and pepper (heavy on the pepper)! I really like this bold steak seasoning blend though, which will enhance the flavor of the steak without taking over!
There are a lot of different steak seasoning options out there. If you typically use Montreal steak seasoning, it usually consists of garlic, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dill seed and salt. This steak seasoning differs a little bit and uses cumin instead of coriander, with the addition of bolder spices like paprika and chili powder!
Absolutely! This best steak seasoning recipe is great on chicken wings, burgers, pork chops, pork tenderloin or even fish! I also like this flavor combo on vegetables. You can really use it for all your grilled proteins. Feel free to experiment with your steak seasoning, and let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
If you need help grilling your steaks, check out our post on how to judge meat temperature and 10 perfect steak toppings!
See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make The Best Steak Seasoning Recipe. Enjoy!
Looking for More Steakhouse Recipes? Be Sure to Check Out:
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak Platter)
- Steak Fajita Stuffed Avocado Recipe
- Lieutenant Dan’s Steakhouse Salad
- Balsamic Steak Sheet Pan Dinner
- Grilled French Onion Steak Sliders
- Harissa Baked French Fries
- Oven Roasted Salmon with Peppercorn Sauce
- Best Homemade Refrigerator Pickles
- Truffle Parmesan Biscuits
- Warm Blueberry Sauce (For Ice Cream!)
- Market Stuffed Squash Blossoms
Best Steak Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground ancho chile pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Either use immediately, or store in a small airtight container until ready to use. Makes enough to season 4 large steaks.
- When ready to use, rub the seasoning over all sides of the steaks, and allow them to rest at least 20 minutes before grilling or searing.
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I didn’t have onion powder but this is the best seasoning I have ever had ! We cooked out lobster tails in the leftover juice from the steak and spice and it was amazing!
This is definitely going to be my go to spice for more than just steaks. Thank you for sharing this diamond!
This is crazy good. It’s our go-to steak rub this summer. Thanks Sommer.
I did put only half the salt but its an amazing recipe. I absolutely loved it, so did the family and guests.
This recipe is so delicious it is going to be difficult to use any other recipe! My husband and i thank you very, very much!
I tend to not use the sale in a rub, opting to apply salt dierctly to the meat and adding the rub later on in the process.
I would like to make this for xmas presents. My niece and I love to make homemade gifts for the guys and girls! If I wanted to make enough for 3 oz containers do you know how many servings it would take to make that much for each spice can? We are making this for 6 guys.
Hi Christi!
You might need close to 1 recipe per person. You can use the serving slider in our recipe form to calculate the measurements.
This truly was the best steak seasoning. We didn’t want the steak eating to end! I didn’t have ground ancho chile pepper or thyme. I substituted it with cayenne pepper and Italian seasoning. It was magnificent! I will always have this seasoning on hand!
I love how easy this was to put together and how good it made the steak taste! Dry rub for the win!
This is perfect!! My husband really loved it!
I used this to grill steak for Father’s day and it was AMAZING!!
Perfect timing! Put this on our pork chops last night and it was so good!! Glad I have enough for steaks on the weekend.
I even have each of these ingredients on hand, ya!, I’m always looking for new marinades, or dry rubs for steak, so thank you!
Omg! This really is the BEST steak rub!! My entire family loved this, even my picky kids.
Thank you for sharing.
Dude!!!! I made this steak rub tonight and it was awesome! I put it on some ribeyes combined with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and it was on!!
Hi Taylor,
LOL! I’m so very glad you liked it!
I tried this but did not have the ancho Pepper so I used cicc chilloppy powder. It was awesome going to try it on other meats!
I bet this is a tasty seasoning! Your steak is absolutely gorgeous and now I’m starving!
So very useful for so many kinds of dishes ! Thank you so much !