Montreal Steak Seasoning

2 reviews

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Montreal steak seasoning is one of those staple spice blends to have in your pantry for when you are grilling up some steaks or burgers. This seasoning is made at home with the perfect balance of savory flavors and bright herbs.

Montreal steak seasoning pouring out of a glass bottle with text overlay - Montreal Steak Seasoning.

Montreal Seasoning

I spent a little bit of time looking into what Montreal seasoning actually was in order to create the best Montreal seasoning out there. Did you know that it originated in a Montreal-based deli? One of the employees started mixing his own spice blend and it became so popular, that the customers started requesting bottles to take home.

Every time I’m grilling, I like to add a little smoke wherever possible. I know not everybody owns a smoker, so I introduced smoked paprika to my Montreal seasoning recipe to bring some of that open wood-fired flavor. This ingredient is optional, but I absolutely love the hint of smoke in the blend! Luckily, it is pretty easy to find on any grocery store shelf!

Ingredients for Montreal steak seasoning in a bowl.

Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning

For my homemade Montreal steak seasoning, I wanted the flavors to really pop and I absolutely love the bigger pieces of spices mixed into the seasoning, so I used a mortar and pestle to grind the whole spices fresh. If you don’t have one, you can use a small coffee grinder (just make sure you only use it for spices!)

You can also just use the pre-ground versions of any of the whole spices included in the ingredients list, but they may not be as vibrant so you may want to season your meat a little more liberally with the finished Montreal seasoning.

Ingredients for montreal steak seasoning in a mor

What’s in Montreal Steak Seasoning?

The original Montreal steak seasoning ingredients are a bit of a mystery, but after digging a little bit I found the key players are salt, pepper, garlic, onion, dill, and coriander. The amounts and any additional seasonings are basically just the creator’s choice, so I took some liberties with my recipe and adjusted the amounts until I created a blend that I think is absolutely delicious! It is savory but still bright from the dill and coriander.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this seasoning:

  • 2 Tablespoons whole peppercorns
  • 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons whole coriander seed
  • 2 teaspoons whole mustard seed
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

For my homemade Montreal steak seasoning, I wanted the flavors to really pop and I absolutely love the bigger pieces of spices mixed into the seasoning, so I used a mortar and pestle to grind the whole spices fresh. If you don’t have one, you can use a small coffee grinder (just make sure you only use it for spices!) You can also just use the pre-ground versions of any of the whole spices included in the ingredients list, but they may not be as vibrant so you may want to season your meat a little more liberally with the finished Montreal seasoning.

Montreal steak seasoning being sprinkled on a steak.

How to Make Montreal Steak Seasoning

Once you have all your ingredients assembled, making this seasoning is extremely easy.

  1. Combine. Add peppercorns, salt, and paprika to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Blend until the peppercorns are mostly broken apart. Add the remaining spices and stir or blend until the seasoning is well combined.
  2. Use or store. This seasoning is ready to be used immediately. If you have anything left over, store it in an airtight container for 2-3 months for the best flavor.

Montreal steak seasoning pouring out of a glass bottle.

More BBQ Seasonings

Check out these other amazing BBQ seasonings (that are also great on beef or steak!) from Hey Grill Hey:

Montreal Steak Seasoning Recipe

How did this Montreal steak seasoning recipe turn out for you? If you were a big fan or you made any changes, let us know in the comment below. We love to hear from our wonderful BBQ community!

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

Montreal Steak Seasoning

By: Susie Bulloch (heygrillhey.com)
5 from 2 votes
Montreal steak seasoning is one of those staple spice blends to have in your pantry for when you are grilling up some steaks or burgers. This seasoning is made at home with the perfect balance of savory flavors and bright herbs.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Servings1 batch (3/4 cup yield)

Video

Ingredients
 

  • 2 Tablespoons whole peppercorns
  • 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika optional, but highly advised
  • 2 Tablespoons kosher salt or coarse sea salt
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon dehydrated onion or onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons whole coriander seed
  • 2 teaspoons whole mustard seed
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Combine the peppercorns, salt, and paprika (optional) in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Blend until the peppercorns have almost all broken apart. Add in the rest of the seasonings and blend again until well combined.
  • Transfer to an airtight jar. The flavors are the best if used immediately, but the blend can be stored at room temperature and used for several months.  Great on steaks, roasts, burgers, and more!

Notes

If you want this seasoning to taste more like the McCormick store-bought version of Montreal Steak seasoning, I recommend skipping the smoked paprika and DOUBLING the dried dill. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 877mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 8314IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 8mg

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

Like this? Leave a comment below!

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!

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Recipe Rating




Reader Reviews

15 Reviews

  1. Oregon says:

    McCoxmixxk Montreal steak seasoning from the store usually contains caraway seeds (At least here where I live) to give it that rye bread flavor its kwown for. Was this just an oversight in your recipe or left out on purpose or maybe just made differently in Utah? Anyways still sounds very good and all the comments are very positive.
    Made a smoked eye of round roast beef today and smells and looks unbelievably beautiful can’t wait to slice it, thank you for the recipe, my next on will be a sirloin tip roast, again thank for the recipe, looking forward to the perfection that is roast beast!!!!

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      Just a flavor choice, but you can certainly add caraway seeds! That’s the best part of making things at home, mixing them up to suit your tastes.

    2. Smoky Joe says:

      Actually, McCormick’s contains dill seeds rather than dried dill (not caraway seeds, although they have a similar taste to dill seeds). Dill seeds taste different from dried dill. I love Montreal steak seasoning on steak, but I also have a different steak seasoning blend of my own creation that I love even more.

  2. Doug Brown says:

    Since I dry brine most meat prior to grilling, I would like to omit the salt from your recipe. Any advice on other ingredient adjustments?

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      Any modifications are your own, make it how you like it. I think it’s perfect how it is. ????

  3. John K says:

    For a marinade (which I use for London Broil)
    • 1/4 c water
    • 1/4 c oil
    • 2 TB Red Wine Vinegar
    • 1 1/2 TB Montreal Steak seasoning
    • Minced Garlic (to taste)
    • Minced Onion (to taste)
    • Black Pepper (to taste)

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing!

  4. Debbie says:

    Your notes say (for a store-bought flavor) to skip the smoked paprika and increase the dill; does that mean to omit paprika altogether or revert to regular paprika?

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      You would omit the paprika.

  5. Diane says:

    Is it dill weed or dill seed?

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      Dill weed

    2. Smoky Joe says:

      It should be dill seed to be authentic Montreal Steak Seasoning. The flavor of the seed is different and similar to caraway seed.

  6. Andrew says:

    What would be done with this recipe to make it an imitation of their *Spicy* Montreal Seasoning?

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      I would recommend 1/4-1/2 a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Start with 1/4 then give it a little taste. Add more to increase the heat.

    2. Starkey says:

      I’m thinking chili powder. I make something similar but add ancho chile powder. Adds heat and a smoky flavor.