Montreal steak seasoning takes your steak up a notch with amazing flavor from black pepper, garlic, onion, and herbs. Or try the lighter version for chicken!
We’re always taking steps toward better health, and saving money at the same time, and one of those steps is making our own spice blends.
My favorites include Homemade Italian Seasoning and Homemade Taco Seasoning, and today, we’re featuring a spice blend designed especially for meat: the most amazing steak seasoning.
MONTREAL SEASONING: THE BEST BEEF STEAK SEASONING
This steak seasoning is a great copycat of Montreal steak seasoning to use on pretty much anything, from your favorite steaks to fresh veggies! We love it because it’s:
- So flavorful! Homemade steak seasoning adds a great zesty flavor to so many different foods that few other blends can replicate.
- Versatile. We put this savory spice blend on steaks (of course), but we also sprinkle it on potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots…pretty much any vegetable we can get our hands on. It’s great mixed into burgers too!
- No unnecessary ingredients. I’m REALLY not a fan of MSG, and this homemade seasoning recipe is free of all flavor enhancers and artificial preservatives, yet it tastes just like the real thing!
- Frugal. You likely already have most of the herbs and spices in your kitchen.
MONTREAL STEAK SEASONING RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Ready to make your own steak seasoning blend? Here’s what you’ll need! If you have larger-texture spices, I suggest using those. The coarse texture is what you want to get a mouthwatering crust and epic flavor!
- Coarse Salt. Kosher salt or this colima sea salt works perfectly!
- Cracked Pepper. You can also use whole black peppercorns and crush those up to get nice big chunks.
- Onion Flakes. Onion powder works if that’s all you have on hand, but the bigger pieces of the spices are what typical Montreal seasoning has.
- Red Pepper Flakes. These add a bit of a kick without being overly spicy.
- Thyme. Dried thyme adds an earthy flavor with hints of lemon and pepper.
- Rosemary. Rosemary is also earthy with notes of pine, citrus, and pepper.
- Coriander Seed. This spice is often used interchangeably with cilantro, but we’re using the seeds in this recipe to impart a spicy citrus taste that complements the pungent garlic and onion.
- Dried Dill. Dill is one of the easiest spices to grow and dry yourself. Its bright, fresh flavor gives a nice contrast to some of the earthier herbs.
- Garlic Flakes. Like the onion, you can substitute garlic powder if that’s what you have, but minced garlic flakes are my preference.
Psst! If you’re going to add salt, I highly recommend Ava Jane’s Kitchen. You may think all salt is created equal, but unfortunately, 90% of the salt produced around the world contains microplastics (gross, right?). Ava Jane’s Kitchen is an exception. Their salt is 100% microplastic-free, and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!)
HOMEMADE STEAK SEASONING INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Combine ingredients in a glass jar (like a small mason jar) or an airtight container.
Step 2. Shake well to combine.
HOMEMADE MONTREAL STEAK SEASONING TIPS
- Big spices. If you want flavor you can see, be sure to use cracked black pepper, garlic flakes, and onion flakes. Of course, you can substitute garlic powder, onion powder, and ground pepper and still get a delicious seasoning. But if you really want to mimic the real thing, bigger pieces of spice are what you need!
- If using whole spices, process them in a blender, food processor, spice grinder, or mortar and pestle so that they’re still large but not whole.
- If you need a lower-sodium steak seasoning, use half the amount of salt. There’s still plenty of savory flavor here!Notes on Ingredients
HOW TO USE BEEF STEAK SEASONING RECIPES
You can use beef steak seasoning recipes as dry rubs or flavorful marinades for your steaks or hamburgers! Use one your favorite cuts of meat for grill-worthy flavor.
MONTREAL STEAK RUB
Turn any grilling seasoning into a rub by adding just a hint of liquid. The most common ingredient is brown sugar, which is naturally moist from the molasses. Plus, the sugar caramelizes as it cooks, creating a crust on the meat.
You don’t have to use sugar, though – a Tablespoon of olive oil will work too.
The key to seasoning with a rub is to:
- Lay it on thick: Season the steak generously with the rub and massage it into the meat.
- Let it sit: Place in a baking dish or plastic bag and let it rest for several hours for meat that will be packed with flavor.
AMAZING STEAK SEASONING MARINADE
- Adding ⅓ – ½ cup of oil and a bit of vinegar turns any seasoning mix into a marinade. (Find my marinade formula here.)
- Mix up the oils and vinegar flavors to find your own favorite combinations for meat, poultry, pork, and seafood. I like this marinade bottle because it has measurements right on the bottle!
- Like rubs, the key to marinades is time. Be sure to let the meat marinate for at least one hour (the longer, the better).
Once your beef is seasoned, you’re ready to cook your steak on the grill or in a cast iron skillet in the oven!
MONTREAL CHICKEN SEASONING RECIPE VARIATION
Homemade steak seasoning and Montreal chicken seasoning have many similar seasonings, but we’re making a few simple swaps for a slightly lighter flavor that’s perfect for poultry.
- Add parsley and paprika
- Increase the amount of garlic
- Remove rosemary and dill
See the recipe card below for the specific amounts for both Montreal seasoning blends.
SEASONINGS FOR FLAVOR
Using this awesome steak seasoning is a great way to add a lot of flavor without adding a ton of fat or calories to the dish, like you might if you added butter or sauce.
Montreal steak seasoning (or chicken seasoning) is also a great option for meal prepping your protein for the week. This unique blend of flavors goes well with a variety of dishes, so you can mix and match your proteins and sides to help you hit your nutrition goals.
And when you make this homemade steak seasoning, you can feel good about adding flavor without adding junky ingredients!
P.S.…One of the core principles of my course Grocery Budget Bootcamp is making food from scratch when it makes sense. Homemade Montreal steak seasoning fits the criteria!
Enrollment for Grocery Budget Bootcamp is currently closed, but you can check out my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop. You’ll get access to three AMAZING video sessions focused on how to save money on food right now, despite rising grocery costs.
MONTREAL STEAK SEASONING FAQS
What flavor is Montreal steak seasoning?
The flavor of Montreal seasoning (also called Canadian steak seasoning) is a perfect balance and robust blend of garlic, ground pepper, and other spices that create a delicious, savory flavor! You have to try it!
Can you put Montreal seasoning on chicken?
Despite the incredible versatility of steak seasoning, there’s one thing I don’t use Montreal seasoning on, and that’s chicken.
Steaks are heavy and thick and can withstand the dark, robust flavor that steak seasoning is known for. But it’s just too much for chicken, in my opinion. Chicken is lighter in nature, so it needs a lighter spice to complement it. That’s why I switched out a few of the spices for Montreal chicken seasoning.
What is ‘natural flavor’ in Montreal steak seasoning?
The term ‘natural flavor’ is often another word for MSG. When I read the labels of store-bought items and see ‘natural flavor,’ I always put them down.
Can I freeze steak seasoning?
If you often find yourself short on time, make a batch of homemade steak seasoning and keep it in the pantry. When you get home from shopping, separate out your meat. Add a couple of tablespoons of steak seasoning, a generous pour of oil, and a splash of vinegar, and seal it up for the freezer. When you pull the meat out to thaw, it’ll marinate at the same time!
How long will this homemade steak seasoning last?
MORE RECIPES FOR HOMEMADE SEASONINGS
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WATCH HOW TO MAKE MONTREAL STEAK SEASONING AND MONTREAL CHICKEN SEASONING
Montreal Steak Seasoning
Montreal steak seasoning takes your steak up a notch with amazing flavor from black pepper, garlic, onion, and herbs. Or try the lighter version for chicken!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 Tbsp 1x
- Category: Sauces & Condiments
- Method: Bowl
- Cuisine: American
For Steak Seasoning:
For Chicken Seasoning:
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a glass jar and shake well to combine. If seasonings are whole, process in a blender or food processor so that they’re still large, but not whole.
Notes
- The nutrition facts are based on the steak seasoning.
- The key to seasoning with a rub is to lay it on thick and let it sit for several hours in a plastic bag. Do both and your meat will be packed with flavor!
- This seasoning mix lasts six months to a year if stored in an airtight jar or container.
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