How to Season a Steak? The Best Techniques for Seasoning a Steak (2024)

People always find the task of seasoning steak is quite difficult even before trying it. However, when you attempt to do seasoning at home, then you will realize that it is not a daunting task at all.

In this article, we have decided to introduce some of the best techniques of how to season a steak appropriately, and by following these steps, you can do it very quickly at your home.

A great sign of perfectly seasoned beefsteak is that it is flavored with several spices and a crusty interior. But, if you think that it requires a lot to get a mouth-watering steak, then you are indeed wrong.

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The Best Techniques to Seasoning a Steak

1. Basic Steak Seasoning

2. Montreal Steak Seasoning

3. Turmeric Based Steak Seasoning

4. Coffee Based Steak Seasoning

5. Outback Steak Seasoning

Cooking the Steak after Seasoning

Things to Consider When Seasoning a Steak

The Best Techniques to Seasoning a Steak

However, by following some pretty simple steps with a few ingredients, we assure you that you can enjoy the best steak meal dinner at home.

There are different ways to approach the best seasoning. Therefore, we have discussed some of them below that will help you know different methods of seasoning steak.

1. Basic Steak Seasoning

Basic seasoning is one of the most lenient methods that everyone can do. Beginners usually prefer this technique because it is easy and allows cooking a very delicious steak meal with very few ingredients. So, let us begin with the first seasoning method.

How to Season a Steak? The Best Techniques for Seasoning a Steak (1)

Step 1: Select the Steak

The very first step of this method is choosing the best steak for cooking. There are several things you need to consider before buying it from the market, as it might ruin the taste if you failed to purchase the fresh one.

There are three things you should look into the meat. One of them is the marbling of white fat over the steak. Another one is the color that should be near to vibrant pink and light cherry, and finally, the surface of the meat should be thoroughly moist.

Step 2: Preparing the Steak

The next step is developing your beef, once you are done selecting it. To begin with preparing, you need to bring the steak into the room temperature. You can use a dry cloth or paper to dry your steak, and soon it will adjust with the heat.

However, it might take around 30 to 60 minutes for the heat adjustment, but there are several benefits when you properly tender steak. For example, it will take less time to cook as well as you will get a juicy steak by bidding it well.

Furthermore, you might think that keeping the beef outside for about an hour can generate bacteria on it, but it does not mean that your meat will get spoiled because eventually, grilling it on high temperature will kill all of them.

Step 3: Seasoning the Steak with Salt

When your steak reaches room temperature, then it is time to season it with salt. You have to put ¾- 1 tablespoon of salt per pound and apply it properly on both sides.

However, it is always challenging to decide how much salt will give the appropriate taste, but still, there are some things you can consider, which are mainly followed by master chefs.

Some of the chefs prefer salting beef when they keep it for reaching room temperature. In that case, it can moisture your steak, and at the same time, it will also tenderize. Besides, it makes the steak softer by breaking down the protein over time.

Furthermore, many people salt the steak before grilling it, but it gives an disappointing taste. In this procedure, right after you put the meat in the griller, it gets baked very quickly, which takes out the juicier portion. Therefore, salt the steak as early as possible.

Step 4: Oiling the Steak

If you are done with previous steps, then the very next thing is brushing your meat with the appropriate amount of oil. However, make sure that your steak is at room temperature and salted adequately because these are the very first thing you should consider.

Now take a brush for oiling your steak and try to apply at least one teaspoon of oil in each pound of steak. We may use any oil, such as olive oil, groundnut oil, neutral oil, or canola oil. Furthermore, if you want the crisp flavor particularly, then we recommend using olive oil over the surface of your steak.

Step 5: Apply Pepper on the Steak

Applying pepper on steak is a personal choice. However, we also have some suggestions regarding it. There are a few things you will encounter while peppering the steak.

If you prefer putting it before grilling, then it will get slightly burned flavor of pepper. Besides, if you do not like the burnt flavor, then you can apply it after grilling. It will also give a different taste. You might try both and taste them out.

Regardless, we suggest you grinding the pepper by yourself because it gives an entirely different taste from the pre-grinned pepper.

2. Montreal Steak Seasoning

Are you looking for the most classing steak seasoning method? If so, you are looking in the right place. It is considered one of the most famous techniques, which gives the strong seasoning flavor but never makes it extravagant.

So, let us begin with the required ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Two tablespoons of black peppercorns
  • Two teaspoons of dill seeds
  • One tablespoon of mustard seeds
  • One tablespoon of coriander seeds
  • One tablespoon of granulated garlic
  • One tablespoon of granulated onion
  • Two tablespoons of kosher salt
  • One tablespoon of chili pepper flakes
  • 1-1/3 tablespoon of salt

Seasoning Process:

These are the seasoning ingredients you need if you want to try out this method.

  • First of all, cook all the seeds in a pan until you smell the flavor.
  • Then, put them into a grinder and paste them well.
  • Finally, mix all the items correctly with the steak and add garlic, salt, and chili flakes.

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3. Turmeric Based Steak Seasoning

If you love South-Asian cuisine, then this method is another exclusive one that can give a great taste of different seasons. Besides, you can store this seasoning for a quite long time without any preservatives.

So, for people who have the taste palate for exotic South-Asian delicacies, here is a list of necessary ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Two teaspoons of paprika
  • Two teaspoons of salt or according to your taste
  • 3/4 teaspoon of garlic paste or powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric
  • 3/4 teaspoon of paste coriander
  • 1-1/2 tablespoon of black pepper

Process:

  • Add all of these seasonings with your steak to get an exotic and spicy flavor.
  • Mix it well with your steak, and then you will find the meat ready for going into the oven.

4. Coffee Based Steak Seasoning

Adding a small amount of coffee can make a massive difference over the seasoning pattern as well as it comes up with an excellent flavor. Along with other spices and seeds, you need to include coffee and cocoa for this different taste.

For people with a sharp taste palate, this is an excellent choice.

Ingredients:

  • Two teaspoons of ground coffee
  • One tablespoon of kosher salt
  • One teaspoon of cocoa without any sugar
  • ½ teaspoon of ancho chili powder
  • One tablespoon of mustard powder
  • One tablespoon of black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon of ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon

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Process:

You can use this type of seasoning for a different taste by adding it in the steak in the proper amount. However, you can store the remaining portion in a container for a long time very easily.

5. Outback Steak Seasoning

It is another way of seasoning your steak that gives a delicious taste on that. You do not need any extra spices and seeds for this particular method.

How to Season a Steak? The Best Techniques for Seasoning a Steak (4)

Ingredients:

  • One teaspoon of paprika
  • One teaspoon of salt or according to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric
  • 1/8 teaspoon of coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne
  • 1/4 teaspoon of onion and garlic

Process:

It is pretty simple to apply. All you require is to mix all the ingredients and rub them on both sides of your steak.

Besides, if you are interested in storing this seasoning, then collect the appropriate amount of these items together and keep it in an airtight container so that it does not get moisture.

However, you can exclude the salt from this seasoning and follow the necessary procedure of salting so that the amount remains perfect.

Cooking the Steak after Seasoning

Done with seasoning? If so, then it is time to prepare the steak properly and maintaining it because after working so long, it is inevitable that you do not want to waste your steak. There are several ways to cook steak; thus, some of them are below.

• Frying in the Pan

Frying over pan is the quickest method to put the steak in your stomach. You need to take the seasoned steak out of your refrigerator and put it into the pan and fry it. However, it is not the healthiest process to do because it is always better to eat freshly fried steak.

• Grilling the Steak

Grilling can give you the best taste if you can do it properly. Besides, you may prefer using charcoal rather than gas because it gives you a great smoky flavor. And also, keep the fuel and the food in different sections.

• Broiling the Steak in the Oven

You can also cook your steak by broiling it in the oven. But it might be a quite risky method as in high temperatures, it can get burned. However, by maintaining the heat properly, you can cook the steak well.

How to Season a Steak? The Best Techniques for Seasoning a Steak (5)

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Things to Consider When Seasoning a Steak

After reading the entire process and ways of seasoning, we are pretty sure that you will not find it difficult anymore.

However, there are still a few things that you need to be careful about because after doing so much for eating a delicious steak, you will not prefer ruining it.

So, let us take a glance at what are those things that you should do or not do.

  • Do not overlook the first process, which is bringing the steak at room temperature. It is because you will never get that juicier taste if you do not take it seriously.
  • Make sure that your steak is fresh.
  • Do not be afraid of using different spices and seeds. However, make sure that you are applying it well and covering both surfaces.
  • Always let the pan get hot at first and then put the steak into it. It is because when you put it before the pan gets hot, it takes all the moisture out of the steak and makes it very dry.
  • Do not keep flipping the steak several times because it takes out the flavor. Wait as long as one surface is ready, then flip it. Inthis way, your steak will properly bake from outside, and taste will remain accurate inside.
  • Avoid pressing the steak with the specula because that way, you might take out the seasoning as well as the juice from the steak.
  • It is always a wise decision to re-season the steak before serving it because you can get an excellent taste from inside as well as outside by sprinkling a bit of pepper and salt.
  • Sprinkle the seasoning after you are done cooking it. Do not consider doing it when your steak is in the pan because eventually, it will burn again.

Final Thoughts:

By the time you read this article and go through the processes, we are quite sure that you will not have any further confusion regarding how to season a steak.

However, there are several recommendations for cooking the best mouth-watering steak very quickly. Even if you consider seasoning your steak with the simplest method, it will indeed be a delicious one.

Regardless, if you want to try out some different spices and seeds, then you can consider trying out Montreal, Turmeric, or Outback method. Besides, you can also consider the coffee-based seasoning that gives quite a different taste apart from others.

Therefore, by now, you can quickly season your steak in different ways at your home and enjoy a delicious steak meal with your family.

How to Season a Steak? The Best Techniques for Seasoning a Steak (2024)

FAQs

How to Season a Steak? The Best Techniques for Seasoning a Steak? ›

Salt and pepper: The go-to for steak seasoning is popular for a good reason. Chopped herbs: Add to butter or olive oil in the pan and baste the steak or sprinkle over a cooked steak for the perfect fragrant finish. Garlic: Perfectly pungent and it plays well with almost every other seasoning/side dish.

What is the best way to season a steak? ›

How do you prepare and season steak? The best way to season steak is to add a generous amount of salt to both sides about 45 minutes before cooking. Then, just before cooking, add your other spices, like black pepper and garlic powder, ensuring that you cover both sides of the steak.

What seasoning do restaurants put on steak? ›

Typically, a steak is seasoned with coarse ground black pepper, sea or kosher salt, parsley, and butter. Yes, Butter. We'll get to the butter later as it finds its way on to a number of steaks, but you have to add it at just the right time.

How to make steak more delicious? ›

During cooking, aim to cook your steak medium-rare to medium – any more and you'll be left with a tough piece of meat. Turning it every minute or so will make sure you get a really even cook. After cooking, leave it to rest and rub with a little extra virgin olive oil or butter for an incredible, juicy steak.

What makes seasoning stick to steak? ›

A dry steak will also allow the heat to create a nice crust on the surface to lock in the moisture and natural flavor of the steak. It also allows the seasonings to adhere to the steak better, resulting in a more flavorful final product. Patting your steak dry is a quick and easy process.

Do you oil or season steak first? ›

Seasoning for grilled streaks is to first coat the steak with a neutral oil such as grapeseed oil that has a high smoke point. From there, season the entire surface of the steak with sea salt. Salting the steak is the difference between a restaurant steak and a home-cooked steak.

Do you put olive oil on steak? ›

3. Season the Steak: Steaks don't need much to make them great. Just before grilling, brush them lightly on both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If you want to get fancy, you can add spices like chili powder, paprika, or garlic powder to the rub.

What do restaurants put on steaks to make them taste so good? ›

So, here's the scoop – restaurants aren't just randomly slathering butter on steaks like it's a sunscreen at a beach party. There's actually a scientific rationale behind this culinary phenomenon. You see, butter contains fat, and fat, my friends, is a flavor enhancer and a moisture-locking marvel.

What makes steak so tasty? ›

One of the most important things that affect the taste of steak is aging. Aging steak helps to break down the tough connective tissues in the meat, making it more tender. It also concentrates the flavor, making the steak more flavorful. The longer a steak is aged, the more intense the flavor will be.

What is the secret to a steakhouse steak? ›

Salt, salt and more salt

The pros really know how to season meat. Coating the steak with an even layer of salt brings out the meat's beefy flavors. You might be shocked at how much salt we use, but almost no one sends back a steak because it's overseasoned.

How long should seasoning sit on steak before cooking? ›

Moral of the story: If you've got the time, salt your meat for at least 40 minutes and up to overnight before cooking. If you haven't got 40 minutes, it's better to season immediately before cooking. Cooking the steak anywhere between three and 40 minutes after salting is the worst way to do it.

How much seasoning to put on steak? ›

Use approximately 1 tabelspoon per pound of steak. Dry brine: For the best steaks, let them rest once seasoned for 60-90 minutes uncovered at room temperature, until the kosher salt dissolves and the steaks look dry. To store: Store steak seasoning in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

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. See below for rub recipes. Steak that has been marinated has more surface moisture which causes it to cook slower over direct heat.

What does Gordon Ramsay use to season steak? ›

The award-winning chef recommends using garlic, thyme, and rosemary to create a fragrant piece of beef. He also says that it is essential to melt a bit of butter in the pan before removing the steak. Baste the steak with the butter and allow it to caramelize into a melty masterpiece.

How to season and grill a good steak? ›

Brush the steaks on both sides with oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Place the steaks on the grill and cook until golden brown and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes.

What seasonings are good on beef? ›

Spices like onion and garlic, with their inherent pungency, are some of the first that come to mind when it's time to season beef. They are savory and strong, and also easy to come by! Black Pepper goes wonderfully with beef, with its slightly hot bite and the piney aroma. Cayenne is a terrific spice to use with beef.

Should you marinate a steak? ›

Marinating a steak before cooking serves two purposes: It helps tenderize the meat and adds just the right amount of flavor. Some top-quality steaks can go without a marinade, since they're already full of meaty flavor and, with the right prep, end up juicy and tender without any help from a marinade.

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