The BEST Steak Seasoning - Hey Grill, Hey (2024)

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By Hey Grill Hey

On February 07, 2023 (Updated May 10, 2024)

11 reviews

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This steak seasoning is perfect for taking your simple grilled steak to the next level! We all know salt and pepper are all a good steak really needs, but this homemade seasoning adds impact with garlic, onion, and herbs.

Best Steak Seasoning

I think the best steak seasoning complements the flavor of meat, rather than overpowers it. This spice blend is mostly salt and pepper, the additional ingredients serve to add interest and balance to the steak. Garlic and onion powders are great savory elements in the rub and the smoked paprika makes any steak taste like it was cooked over an open fire. The herbs add just enough brightness to keep you coming back for more.

This seasoning is pretty simple to make and will last for months if sealed in an airtight container. I like to buy small glass jars that are easy to label and reuse.

Ingredients for Steak Seasoning

This recipe combines salt, pepper, and 5 other beautifully balanced herbs and seasonings to enhance the flavor of the beef without overpowering it. Here’s what you’ll need to make this seasoning:

  • 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme

If you want a bolder seasoning blend, try my homemade steak rub with a kick of cayenne and red pepper flakes (inspired by my dad) or my Montreal Steak seasoning for a combination of flavors that works well for beef, chicken, pork, you name it!

How to Season Steak

The best way to season a steak depends a little bit on the type of steak you are grilling as well as the level of flavor you like on your meat. With a thicker cut of steak (1.5-2 inches), you can be pretty liberal with this seasoning and thoroughly cover the surface of the meat. That way, the seasoning really carries through each bite.

Remember, you can always add seasoning easier than you can remove it. Start with a light hand and don’t sprinkle too heavily at the beginning. I also recommend pressing the seasoning into the meat with the palm of your hand. This helps the seasoning adhere and you don’t lose as much when you’re moving it around on the grill. Avoid rubbing the seasoning in, as it tends to clump up and you’ll have strong bites of pepper or herbs instead of it being evenly distributed.

Once your steaks are well seasoned, I recommend cooking your steaks using the reverse sear method. It yields perfect results every time.

More Steak Seasoning Recipes

If this particular steak seasoning doesn’t float your boat, I’m betting one of these other tasty seasonings should do the trick! Check them each out at the links provided below.

  • Montreal Steak Seasoning
  • Chipotle Seasoning
  • Homemade Steak Rub

Steak Seasoning Recipe

Making some epic BBQ should be easy, and Hey Grill Hey is here to help! Join my members-only group The Grill Squad today for access to my master classes, podcasts, and so much more. It’s an amazing community of grillers that will help support you and increase your confidence of all things BBQ.

This post was originally published in September 2018. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.

The BEST Steak Seasoning - Hey Grill, Hey (6)

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Steak Seasoning

By: Susie Bulloch (heygrillhey.com)

4.73 from 11 votes

This steak seasoning is perfect for taking your simple grilled steak to the next level! We all know salt and pepper is all a good steak really needs, but this homemade steak seasoning adds impact with garlic, onion, and herbs.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Servings10 steaks

Video

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme

Instructions

  • Make the seasoning. Combine all ingredients for steak seasoning in a small bowl.

  • Use or store. Sprinkle the steak seasoning liberally on beef steaks and roasts before grilling, searing, or roasting. Store any remaining seasoning in an airtight container for up to 6 months for the best flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1398mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

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

Like this? Leave a comment below!

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About

FOUNDER/BBQ BOSS LADY

Susie is the BBQ Brain behind the Hey Grill Hey website. Her passion for smoked meats and developing fun, new recipes have landed her on the Food Network, cooking turkeys with Shaq, and on a couple of Guinness World Records. When she’s not grilling, she is hanging out with Todd and their three kids, preferably outdoors!

Read More About Me

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The BEST Steak Seasoning - Hey Grill, Hey (2024)

FAQs

Which seasoning is best for steak? ›

What spices go well with steak? There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor.

How to make the best season steak? ›

When seasoning a steak, you can't go wrong with the classic freshly cracked black pepper and kosher salt. Finishing salts such as flaky sea salt and can be applied at the end as a final touch. Add some chopped herbs such as thyme, rosemary or sage to your salt to make a flavored salt for your steak.

What to season steak with for grilling? ›

Just think medium grain, true sea salt." Cervantez is a fan of kosher salt, which is virtually identical to sea salt. He advocates also seasoning steaks with pepper, and recommends combining pepper with salt in equal quantities. When you do season your steak, go a little overboard.

What is the best seasoning for ribeye steak? ›

Ribeye seasoning can be as simple as salt and pepper. However, some steak enthusiasts prefer some extra or unique flavors by adding tarragon, garlic powder, or even a little chili powder.

What do steakhouses use to season steaks? ›

A classic found in every steak house the world over:
  • 1 tablespoon paprika.
  • 2 tablespoons crushed black pepper.
  • 1 tablespoon crushed coriander.
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt or sea salt.
  • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes.
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic.
  • 1 tablespoon dill.
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion.
Nov 5, 2020

What seasoning does Gordon Ramsay use on steak? ›

SEASONING. Don't season a steak until just before cooking, as salt draws out moisture from meat. Gordon sprinkles sea salt and freshly ground black pepper onto a dinner plate and presses the steaks into the seasoning just before cooking them.

How can I make my steak more flavorful? ›

It's as simple as this: while the steak is searing in the pan, throw in butter, garlic and thyme and baste continuously as the steak finishes cooking. The garlic-thyme infused butter does all sorts of wonderful things to the steak, seeping into the cracks and crevices, and adhering to the crust of the steak.

How do you prepare steaks before grilling? ›

30 minutes before grilling, remove the steaks from the fridge. Trim the excess fat and make vertical slashes in the outer ring of fat to prevent curling. Apply freshly ground pepper and let the meat warm to room temperature.

What do chefs season steak with? ›

Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Salt – I always use coarse sea salt in my cooking and baking.
  • Pepper – Whole peppercorns are best to use. ...
  • Garlic – I prefer to use garlic granules.
  • Coriander – Whole coriander seeds add some incredible flavor to this seasoning.
  • Onion – I like to use onion granules.
Jun 6, 2023

What is the rule of 3 for grilling steaks? ›

As a rule of thumb, when cooking steaks that are 1-1/2 inch thick, you want to go by the 3-4 rule. That is, three minutes per side on direct heat, then four minutes per side on indirect heat. That will get your steaks to a beautiful pink medium-rare.

How to keep steak juicy on the grill? ›

As I said, the best way to get sizzling steaks on the outside and juicy, buttery steak on the inside is to first sear the steaks over a hot, high flame, then move the steaks over to a cooler, unlit portion of the grill to finish cooking via indirect heat.

Should you oil steak before grilling? ›

Lightly oil the steak on both sides to prevent it from sticking to the grill. It's best to add oil directly to the steak and not to the grill as oil will burn quickly on the grill causing excess smoke and flare-ups.

How to season a steak really good? ›

Coat both sides of the steak, and its sides, with salt and freshly ground black pepper, so a visible layer of seasoning exists on every surface. The salt shouldn't pile up, but it should coat the meat. The steak is essentially putting on a t-shirt made of salt and pepper. A skin tight t-shirt.

Do you close the grill when cooking steak? ›

For thicker cuts, you want to close the lid to keep the temperature high and even. Large steaks, chicken, and roasts have much more depth for the heat to penetrate, and closing the lid will give the heat time to sink in and cook the meat through in much the same way an oven does.

How hot should the grill be for steak? ›

The best grill temperature to grill a steak is high heat (450-550 degrees F.). To prepare steaks for the grill you will need to: Pat them dry: this helps the steaks get a better sear on them.

What to season steak with while cooking? ›

We use kosher salt (Diamond Crystal in our test kitchen) for seasoning steaks, because its crystal size allows for prime absorption into the outer layer of the steak. Partnered with freshly ground black pepper, it's an absolute essential steak prep step.

Should you rub seasoning into steak? ›

Yes, you can use a rub or a marinade with steak. If you plan to grill the steak, a rub is the best option for adding flavor.

What's the best seasoning to tenderize steak? ›

Musgrave says that a combination of vinegar, lemon juice, and soy sauce are all used to break down the proteins in the steak, thus making it more tender and, she assures us, "juicy and delicious" to boot. A hint of cayenne, she says, "adds just a pinch of spice to the marinade."

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