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Best Homemade Seasoning for Meat

The best seasoning for meat is a blend of the most popular spices you have in your pantry. Although I prefer this meat spice blend, the best seasoning can vary according to personal taste. And one of the things that I love about this recipe is that it’s flexible. So you can tweak it until it tastes just right for you and your family.

bowl of meat seasoning blend

It can be as simple as table salt and a little bit of black pepper. Or it can be an elaborate blend from a recipe that’s been in your family for years.

I highly recommend reading this entire post before you begin preparing the recipe. However, if all you want is the list of ingredients and full directions, please either click on the jump-to-recipe button above or scroll to the bottom of his post.

Homemade Steak Seasoning Recipe

I’ve developed a homemade steak seasoning that I keep in a glass jar near the stove. I usually call it steak seasoning, but you can use it on pork chops, steaks, chicken, seafood, and even different types of ground meats.

You can use this seasoning as a steak rub or sprinkle it over the meat as it cooks. I also like to mix it with ground beef or ground turkey to add flavor.

Ingredients

Please keep in mind that you can add to or swap out any of the ingredients I use to make it suit your family’s taste. This is how we like it at our house.

Here are our favorite spices that I use to make meat seasoning:

  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt (sea salt, kosher salt, Himalayan pink salt, table salt or whatever type of salt you have)
  • Black pepper
variety of spices to add to seasoning for meat

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full recipe, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

All of these ingredients are pretty basic items that you can find in any grocery store. And since I use them for other dishes, I typically have them in my pantry.

We’ve found that this is the best seasoning mix for our family. I occasionally add a little cayenne pepper or other ground pepper to the mix if I’m cooking for just my husband and me.

ground jalapeno and cayenne

How to Make Seasoning for Meat

The only tools you’ll need are a mixing bowl, a measuring spoon, and a spoon for stirring. 

seasonings for meat in a bowl

The first step is to measure out each ingredient and put it in the mixing bowl.

A small bowl is plenty big enough for the amount I make. However, if you want to make a larger amount, you should use a medium bowl.

stirred meat seasonings in a bowl

Stir all of the ingredients together. You can use a whisk, but I’ve found that a spoon works just as well. 

After the ingredients are mixed, they’re ready to add to your favorite meat. There are different ways you can use this yummy meat seasoning

How to Use Seasoning for Meat

Here are some ways I’ve added flavor to meat:

Pat the seasoning mixture onto whatever meat you’re eating. I’ve even used it on flank steak before putting it on the grill or in the Crock Pot.

When using this as a dry rub, pat the meat dry with a clean paper towel on both sides. Then rub the seasoning mixture over the meat and place it on a plate.

Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let the seasoning settle on the meat before cooking.

Or sprinkle it over meat as you cook it on the stovetop or grill. When I do this method, I typically use less of the seasoning.

Mix it into ground meet. This adds flavor throughout the meat, so you don’t need to add any kind of sauce afterward … unless you want to.

Variation on Seasoning for Meat

I like to make a variety of mixes. An Italian seasoning blend is super easy. All you need to do is substitute Italian seasoning for the paprika. Or you can keep both; it’s completely up to you.

You might like different seasonings on different types of meat. For example, some people enjoy a sweeter flavor on pork. 

What I’ve done in the past is combine cinnamon with a tiny amount of brown sugar to rub on pork chops or pork tenderloin. This mixture is also delicious on ham.

bowl and spoon of barbecue sauce

I even like to use this seasoning in addition to barbecue sauce. In fact, I often add it to this homemade barbecue sauce

For an Asian inspired dish, combine some soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little bit of brown sugar. If you like extra heat, drop in some red pepper flakes or ground cayenne.

Dry mustard powder is another flavorful ingredient. It adds a nice tang to the meat.

Chili powder is another delicious spice that I sometimes add. The one I purchase has a blend of different seasonings that add a distinctive flavor to the meat.

You can use fresh herbs rather than dried spices if you prefer. The flavor and texture of meat will be slightly different with fresh ingredients.

How to Store Seasoning for Meat

If you make more than you need, the best way to store the seasoning is to put it in an airtight container. I typically store it in either a glass jar or a ziplock bag. Keep it in a dry place, or it will get clumpy.

meat seasoning in a ziplock bag

Questions About Meat Seasoning

I almost always add something to my meat before cooking it. Sometimes I use this recipe, while other times I simply salt and pepper it before cooking it on the stovetop in melted butter.

However you want to cook it is fine. But when I have time I like to make this delicious seasoning.

Here are some questions you may have about this meat seasoning:

Can You Use Meat Seasoning on Vegetables?

Yes. In fact, this seasoning is delicious on green or red bell pepper. We also like to use it on any vegetables that we roast on a sheet pan or in the air fryer.

Is This Seasoning High in Sodium?

It does have quite a bit of sodium. However, you can control that by cutting back on the amount of salt or not adding it. Since I don’t use much seasoning on each serving of meat, that isn’t a concern for us. I add just enough to give the meat a great flavor.

More Delicious Meat and Seafood Recipes

There are quite a few different ways to cook meat and seafood. So there’s no reason to ever get bored. Here are some of our favorites:

Baked Beef Ribs – When you need a filling and delicious main dish, make these ribs. They’re easy to cook in the oven!

Garlic Lemon Chicken Thighs – I cook these in my air fryer, but you can use your oven if you prefer. 

Easy Meatloaf – Make some yummy meatloaf without breadcrumbs by following this recipe at Back to My Southern Roots. It’s absolutely delicious!

Air Fried Tilapia – Pull the fish out of the freezer and put it in your air fryer. You don’t even have to thaw the fish before you cook it. And it turns out great every single time!

Grilled Pork Chops – I grill these on my George Foreman grill. But you can cook them outdoors just as easily!

Broiled Lemon Dill Shrimp – Packed with flavor, this delicious shrimp dish is easy to cook! Sprinkle some of the meat seasoning on it for even more flavor!

Extra Seasoning

I like to make enough seasoning for meat to last for at least a couple of meals. That way, I always have a way to flavor the main dish or even a side dish.

2 bowls of meat seasoning with spoons

See this recipe shared at Full Plate Thursday and Weekend Potluck.

Don’t be afraid to try it on other things too. Are you making a savory appetizer? Sprinkle a little of this seasoning on it to make it even better!

Yield: 8 servings

Seasoning for Meat

Bowl of meat seasoning blend

Add this meat seasoning to any beef, pork, chicken, or fish for a boatload of extra flavor!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (sea salt, kosher salt, Himalayan pink salt, table salt or whatever type of salt you have)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl.
  2. Stir or whisk the ingredients.
  3. Either rub the seasoning on the meat or sprinkle it on while cooking.

Notes

If you would like other spices, add a small amount of them to the above mixture. Or swap them out.

Some seasonings you might want to try are Italian seasoning, chili powder, cumin, or dill. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a variety of flavors.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 4Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 133mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 0g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

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