10 Recipes for Homemade Steak Seasoning Blends

Sure, steak is good with a sprinkling of kosher salt. But why not take your dinner to the next level with one of our best steak seasoning blends?

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Chef sprinkling cooking salt onto a raw ribeye steak while preparing dinner with fresh salad ingredients and herbs on the counter; Shutterstock ID 1181786554; Job (TFH, TOH, RD, BNB, CWM, CM): Taste of Home
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All-Purpose Steak Seasoning

If you want to move away from salt and pepper, but you’re not ready to get too wild, try this all-purpose steak seasoning.

To blend, combine two tablespoons each kosher salt and garlic powder with a tablespoon of onion powder and cracked black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning on your steak just before cooking and reserve any extra in an airtight container.

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Carne Asada Steak Seasoning

Want your steak to taste like the filling of your favorite taco? Marinate it in this flavorful marinade! Plan to cook this steak in a cast-iron skillet.

Whisk together two tablespoons chili powder with a tablespoon ground ancho chile, two teaspoons each ground cumin and Mexican oregano, a teaspoon each kosher salt and ground black pepper. Then add two cloves of crushed garlic, the juice of one lime and a quarter cup of minced cilantro. Let your steaks marinade for two hours in the refrigerator.

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chilli spices
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Chili Rub Steak Seasoning

Add spicy, smoky flavor to your steak with a simple chili rub. Simply combine a quarter cup of smoked paprika with two tablespoons chili powder and a tablespoon each kosher salt and ground cumin. If you like it spicy, feel free to add cayenne to the mix.

Rub the mixture over the steak and add a tablespoon or so of canola oil to help it stick. Keep an eye out for the mistakes that everyone makes when learning to cook steak.

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Ready to cook seasoned with home made coffee rub beef steak on dark background; Shutterstock ID 1535908802; Job (TFH, TOH, RD, BNB, CWM, CM): Taste of Home
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Coffee Steak Seasoning

You’ll be surprised by the depth of flavor in this unique steak rub. You’ll need a tablespoon each ancho chile powder and finely ground coffee beans, two teaspoons each brown sugar, kosher salt and smoked paprika, and a teaspoon each dried oregano, ground coriander and mustard powder.

Coat your steak with however much seasoning sticks to the exterior. Then, sear it on the grill like this.

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Grated citrus (orange and lemon) rind and grater.
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Fresh & Zesty Steak Seasoning

Steak seasonings don’t have to be heavy and bold, and this fresh, zesty mixture proves it!

In a large bowl, combine the juice and zest of two oranges with two tablespoons each chopped parsley and kosher salt and a tablespoon of smoked paprika. Marinate the steaks for two hours before cooking.

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Traditional homemade rose harissa-hot chili pepper sauce paste with garlic and olive oil in small bowl on white plaster background
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Harissa Steak Seasoning

Harissa is the perfect way to add a savory, spicy flavor to your steak. Create the rub by soaking four large, dried, mild chiles until they’re softened. Then, blend the chiles with a stemmed and seeded Thai chili, two cloves of garlic, a quarter cup olive oil and a teaspoon each kosher salt, ground cumin, ground coriander and caraway seeds. Rub the steak with the harissa and let it sit in the refrigerator for two hours before cooking.

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Organic Dry Herbs De Provence in a Bowl
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Herbs de Provence Steak Seasoning

Herbs de provence is a flavorful and aromatic blend of green spices. Pick up a jar at the grocery store and create this seasoning blend by mixing two teaspoons kosher salt with a teaspoon each herbs de provence, sugar and coarsely ground black pepper.

Editor’s Tip: If you can’t find the pre-mixed spice, make your own by combining dried rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, marjoram, tarragon, parsley and fennel seed.

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Soy sauce is poured into a spoon over the saucepan
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Kalbi Korean Steak Seasoning

Give your steak some Asian-spiced flair by creating a kalbi steak marinade. In a large bowl, combine a quarter cup soy sauce with three tablespoons white sugar, two tablespoons sesame oil, one tablespoon each minced garlic and sesame seeds, two chopped green onions and a teaspoon ground black pepper. Marinate the steaks in the refrigerator for two hours before cooking.

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Steak that has been spiced with Montreal steak spice
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Montreal Steak Seasoning

Montreal steak seasoning is a classic spice blend because it’s spicy, sweet, pungent and flavorful. Make your own by combining two tablespoons each kosher salt, ground black pepper and paprika with a tablespoon each granulated onion, granulated garlic, ground coriander and dill seeds. Add cayenne to the mix if you like it extra spicy!

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Homemade All American BBQ Rub Spice
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Texas-Style Steak Seasoning

Give your steak the bold flavor of Texas barbecue with this spice rub. Combine two tablespoons kosher salt with two teaspoons brown sugar, a teaspoon ground black pepper, a half teaspoon each paprika and chili powder, and a quarter teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder and turmeric. Coat your steak with as much seasoning as will stick and grill it to perfection.

Lindsay D. Mattison
Lindsay has been writing for digital publications for seven years and has 10 years of experience working as a professional chef. She became a full-time food writer at Taste of Home in 2023, although she’s been a regular contributor since 2017. Throughout her career, Lindsay has been a freelance writer and recipe developer for multiple publications, including Wide Open Media, Tasting Table, Mashed and SkinnyMs. Lindsay is an accomplished product tester and spent six years as a freelance product tester at Reviewed (part of the USA Today network). She has tested everything from cooking gadgets to knives, cookware sets, meat thermometers, pizza ovens and more than 60 grills (including charcoal, gas, kamado, smoker and pellet grills). Lindsay still cooks professionally for pop-up events, especially when she can highlight local, seasonal ingredients. As a writer, Lindsay loves sharing her skills and experience with home cooks. She aspires to motivate others to gain confidence in the kitchen. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking with fresh produce from the farmers market or planning a trip to discover the best new restaurants.