Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning (or Chicken!) (+ Video)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Try this homemade Montreal steak seasoning using the spices you already have. Plus, I’ve also got you covered with a lighter version for poultry. They’re so quick and easy to make and completely free of MSG!

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, so today, we’re featuring a spice blend designed especially for meat: Montreal 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 vegetables!

Montreal Seasoning: The Best Seasoning for Steaks

We love it because it’s so flavorful! Steak seasoning adds such great flavor to so many different foods that few other blends can replicate.

It’s also versatile. We put it on steaks (of course), but we also put it on potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots… pretty much any vegetable we can get our hands on…

I’m REALLY not a fan of the MSG, and this homemade seasoning recipe is free of all flavor enhancers and artificial preservatives, yet it tastes just like the real thing!

Ingredients collage: salt. pepper, dry minced onion, crushed red pepper, thyme, rosemary, coriander, dill, garlic

Montreal Steak Seasoning Recipe

MONTREAL STEAK SEASONING

Coarse salt (kosher salt or this colima sea salt work perfectly!)
Cracked pepper – You can also use whole black peppercorns and crush those up to get nice big chunks.
Onion flakes
Red pepper flakes
Thyme
Rosemary
Coriander seed
Dried dill
Garlic flakes

Notes on Ingredients

Coriander. This spice is often used interchangeably with cilantro, but we’re using the seeds in this recipe to impart a spicy citrus taste that compliments the pungent garlic and onion!
Big spices. The size of the spices matters! If you want “flavor, you can see,” be sure to use cracked black pepper, garlic, 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.

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 bag for just 1¢!! (Get your penny bag of salt on this page.)

Step-by-Step Montreal Steak Spice Instructions

Step 1. Combine ingredients in a glass jar (like a small mason jar) or an airtight container.

Step 2. Shake well to combine!

Montreal steak seasoning spices are all in a glass jar.

How to Use Seasoning For Beef

You can use this Montreal steak seasoning as a dry rub or flavorful marinade on your steaks or hamburgers!

RUB

Turn any 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 steak generously with the rub and massage it into the meat.
Let it sit: Place in a plastic bag and let rest for several hours for meat that will be packed with flavor.

MARINADE

Adding ⅓ – ½ cup of oil and a bit of vinegar turns any seasoning mix into a marinade.
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 on a cast iron skillet in the oven!

Montreal steak seasoning in a glass jar.

MONTREAL SEASONING VARIATION

Montreal chicken seasoning is easy to make too! It’s slightly lighter in flavor and perfect for a rub or marinade. Use the same recipe instructions using the following spices:

Coarse salt
Garlic flakes
Onion flakes
Black pepper
Parsley
Red pepper flakes
Coriander seeds
Paprika
Thyme

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. Try my Montreal Chicken Seasoning below!

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 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?

This seasoning mix lasts six months to a year if stored in an airtight jar or container.