All-Purpose Steak Seasoning

5 from 2 votes
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This all-purpose steak seasoning is truly that — all-purpose! It’s savory with a hint of sweet and can be used on pretty much any cut of steak.

Steak seasoning ingredients in a bowl.
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I’m not going to lie, McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning is one of my all-time favorites (#notsponsored) — and even for seasoning things other than steak. It just does its job every time. So, we decided we needed to make our own homemade steak seasoning that also “did its job every time” but with a slightly different flavor profile and fewer ingredients.

This is truly the best steak seasoning. It’s garlickly, savory, and slightly sweet all at the same time. We used kosher salt, instead of table salt because it clings to the meat better (learned this from America’s Test Kitchen!). We’ve tested this steak dry rub on pretty much all cuts of steak and my favorites so far are our cast iron steak and skirt steak.

What you need for this steak seasoning recipe

This steak seasoning is so incredibly tasty! It brings together the following simple spices for ultimate flavor perfection:

  • Garlic powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Brown sugar
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • Kosher salt
Steak seasoning ingredients in bowls.

How much steak seasoning do you need for 1.5 lbs. of meat?

It all depends on how seasoned you want your steak, but we use anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of steak seasoning for a 1.5 lb. steak.

How to Season Steak

  1. First, pat the steak dry with a paper towel.
  2. Then sprinkle the steak seasoning on top of the steak and use your hands to massage it into the meat. Do this on all sides of the steak for optimal flavor.
  3. Let your steak rest for around 30 minutes with the seasoning on it before cooking. This will result in super flavorful and tender steak 😀

How to Cook Seasoned Steak

You can really use any cooking method you wish with seasoned steak! Check out some Fit Foodie tutorials on different ways to cook steak:

Steak seasoning on a spoon.

Variations

  • Make it Spicier: If you prefer a spicier steak seasoning mix, add more red pepper flakes. If you like it hot-hot, add a bit of cayenne pepper to the mix.
  • Enhance the Sweetness: add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon into this seasoning to really bring out the brown sugar.
Steak seasoning on raw steak.
Cast iron steak in a pan.

try it!

Cast Iron Steak

You’ll love this steak seasoning on our cast iron steak. It’s juicy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned!

Why make a large batch of this steak seasoning?

What’s great about this recipe is that it yields 1/3 cups of steak seasoning, which is enough for 2 thick steaks, but it’s super easy to double triple, or quadruple the seasoning as you’re making it to store for later.

Storage: Simply make a large batch using the ingredients below, and then store in an airtight container in your spice cupboard for up to 3 months.

Storage

Store extra steak seasoning in an airtight container in the your spice cupboard for up to 3 months.

spice jars.

Glass

Spice Jars

Organize your homemade spices with this empty glass spice jar set!

Steak seasoning in a jar.

If you have leftover steak seasoning, try using it on grilled chicken, glazed carrots (trust me), or in our chicken and rice (trust me again, this one is phenomenal).

5 from 2 votes

All-Purpose Steak Seasoning

This is the best steak seasoning that can not only be used on steaks but everything else too! Ours is made with garlic powder, kosher salt, ground pepper, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Add all of the ingredients for the steak seasoning into a jar or small bowl and mix.
    Steak seasoning on a plate.
  • Season both sides of the steaks with 1 tablespoon of steak seasoning. Massage the seasoning into the steaks and be sure they are completely coated. Let the steaks sit at room temperature for 30 minutes – 1 hour.
    A glass jar with seeds and a wooden spoon.

Tips & Notes

  • This recipe yields approximately 1/3 cup of steak seasoning, which is enough seasoning for 1.5 lbs. of steak.

Watch It

Nutrition

Calories: 22 kcal, Carbohydrates: 5 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 0.2 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 2 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Photography: photos taken in this post are by Ashley McGlaughlin from The Edible Perspective.

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About Emily Richter

Emily is Fit Foodie Finds' editor-in-chief. She has a master's degree in strategic communication, and a passion for food. She is an incredible at-home cook making her writing an important part of the content creation process.

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krogerfeedback
December 21, 2023 11:55 am

This steak seasoning is an absolute game-changer! I tried it last weekend, and the blend of spices brought out the best in my steak. The balance between the savory garlic, a hint of smokiness, and just the right amount of heat from the pepper was perfect. It’s easy to make and has become my go-to for grilling nights. Highly recommend giving it a try for an elevated steak experience!