Top 15 Store-Bought Steak Seasonings
Top 15 Store-Bought Steak Seasonings available at DDR BBQ Supply for ribeye, New York strip, filet mignon, sirloin, T-bone, porterhouse, and more. A great steak doesn't need complicated seasoning, but the right blend of salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and savory spices can enhance the natural beef flavor while helping create the flavorful crust that makes a properly grilled or seared steak so good.
Whether you're grilling a thick ribeye over charcoal, reverse searing a New York strip, cooking filet mignon for a special dinner, or firing up the griddle for steak night, these store-bought steak seasonings make it easy to get consistent flavor. Our favorites range from classic salt, pepper, and garlic blends to steakhouse-style seasonings, coarse pepper rubs, garlic-forward blends, and more complex beef seasonings.
Why Choose Store-Bought Steak Seasonings?
A quality store-bought steak seasoning takes the guesswork out of combining salt, black pepper, garlic, herbs, and other spices. The ingredients are blended in consistent proportions, making it easier to evenly season your steak and recreate the flavor you like every time you fire up the grill.
Different steak seasonings can also produce noticeably different results. Coarse salt and black pepper blends provide plenty of texture and classic beef flavor, garlic-forward seasonings add a deeper savory profile, and steakhouse-style blends may incorporate herbs, onion, chiles, and other spices for additional complexity.
Our Steak Seasoning Favorites
Our Top 15 Store-Bought Steak Seasonings collection brings together some of our favorite beef seasonings from trusted BBQ brands and pitmasters. We look for blends that enhance the natural flavor of steak instead of covering it up, while providing enough seasoning to develop a flavorful exterior during grilling, smoking, searing, or reverse searing.
These seasonings are excellent for ribeye, New York strip, filet mignon, sirloin, T-bone, porterhouse, flat iron, flank steak, skirt steak, and other cuts of beef. Many are also versatile enough for brisket, tri-tip, prime rib, burgers, beef ribs, and other foods headed for the grill or smoker.
How to Choose the Best Steak Seasoning
Start by thinking about the cut of steak and the flavor you want. A well-marbled ribeye can handle a robust pepper and garlic-forward seasoning, while filet mignon is often paired with a simpler blend that lets its mild beef flavor remain the focus. New York strips, sirloins, and porterhouse steaks work well with everything from traditional SPG seasoning to more complex steakhouse blends.
Also consider how you're cooking the steak. If you're searing over very high heat, savory blends without a lot of sugar are generally a better choice than sweet BBQ rubs. For smoked or reverse-seared steaks, you have more flexibility to experiment with different herbs, spices, and seasoning layers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steak Seasonings
What is the best store-bought seasoning for steak?
The best store-bought steak seasoning depends on the cut and flavor profile you prefer. Salt, coarse black pepper, and garlic-forward blends are excellent all-purpose choices because they enhance beef without overpowering it. Steakhouse-style blends with herbs, onion, chiles, and other savory spices can add more complexity.
What seasonings go best with steak?
Salt, black pepper, and garlic are classic steak seasonings. Onion, rosemary, thyme, paprika, chiles, and other savory herbs and spices can also complement beef. The best combination depends on whether you prefer a traditional steakhouse flavor or something more complex.
Is SPG seasoning good for steak?
Yes. SPG stands for salt, pepper, and garlic, and it's one of the most versatile seasoning combinations for steak. It provides plenty of savory flavor while still allowing the natural flavor of ribeye, New York strip, sirloin, filet mignon, and other cuts to remain the focus.
When should you season steak?
You can season steak immediately before cooking or salt it ahead of time and allow it to dry brine in the refrigerator. Seasoning in advance gives the salt more time to work into the meat. If you're using a pre-blended steak seasoning, check how much salt it contains before applying additional salt separately.
How much steak seasoning should you use?
Apply enough seasoning to evenly cover the surface without creating an excessively thick coating. Thick steaks such as ribeyes and New York strips can generally handle a more generous amount than thinner cuts. Remember to season both sides and the edges of particularly thick steaks.
What is the best seasoning for ribeye steak?
Ribeye has plenty of rich beef flavor and marbling, so it pairs especially well with salt, coarse black pepper, garlic, and robust steakhouse seasonings. Pepper-forward and garlic-heavy blends can stand up to the richness of ribeye without masking the flavor of the beef.
What is the best seasoning for filet mignon?
Filet mignon has a mild, tender character that works well with simpler seasonings. Salt, black pepper, garlic, and light herb-forward blends can enhance the beef without overwhelming it. A finishing salt can also be added after cooking for another layer of flavor.
Should you put steak seasoning on before or after cooking?
Most steak seasonings are applied before cooking so the salt and spices season the exterior and contribute to the crust. You can also add a small amount of finishing salt or another salt-free seasoning after slicing if the steak needs an additional boost of flavor.
Can steak seasoning be used on other cuts of beef?
Absolutely. Most steak seasonings are also excellent on brisket, tri-tip, prime rib, beef ribs, burgers, chuck roast, and other cuts of beef. Savory blends built around salt, pepper, and garlic are particularly versatile for grilling and smoking.