A well-seasoned piece of steak is the ultimate joy whenever we are in the mood for good food. So, let’s dive into some facts about “uh-mazing” Montreal steak seasoning and its ingredients- the epic steak companion!
Montreal steak seasoning originally comes from Quebec, Canada, and is now popular among the entire Western cuisine. It is a coarsely ground blend of spices that typically comes together with ingredients such as:
- Red chili flakes
- Granulated garlic/garlic powder
- Granulated onion/ onion powder
- Paprika
- Dill seeds
- Coriander
- Black pepper
Most blends include salt, and some options might also contain dry mustard or cayenne pepper. This seasoning also goes by the names Canadian Steak Spice, Montreal Steak Spice, and Canadian Steak Seasoning.
So, let’s get to know more exciting things about your favorite steak seasoning!
What Is Montreal Steak Seasoning?
Montreal steak seasoning is a flavor-loaded blend of several spices that often comes as a coarse mixture. As the name suggests, it is used primarily to season steak and act as a dry rub. Expert chefs indicate that by combining this seasoning with wet ingredients like olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, etc., you can make it into a rich marinade.
According to the data sources, the invention of this seasoning took place back in the 1940s or 1950s. It is believed that this blend is a result of an experiment done by a cook named Morris “The Shadow” Sherman, who worked at a popular restaurant in Canada known as The Montreal deli Schwartz.
This pungent spice has been used for centuries in seasoning smoky grilled meat all over Canada, particularly in the USA. After its inception, many reputed commercial spice producers came up with Montreal Steak Seasoning with slight differences in their versions. But its versatility, unparalleled formula, and flavor remained unchanged.
At present, this seasoning blend is a widely available product in the market, and you can find plenty of homemade recipes as well. Apart from its conventional addition to steak, it is also popular as a flavor enhancement to grilled salmon, burgers, roasted vegetables, fries, salads, chili, etc.
What Spices Are In Montreal Steak Seasoning?
Spices play a heroic role in this blend! Pungent, aromatic, and bold spices combine with one another to bring out the goodness of authentic Canadian flavors and complement the richness of your food.
01- Red Chili Flakes
Red chili flakes add vibrant color, texture, and a hot kick to this seasoning blend. They are often made by crushing dried red hot peppers. And even if they don’t give a contrasting flavor to this mix, it adds a depth of heat to go well with whatever calls for this blend.
02- Granulated Garlic/ Garlic Powder
As we all know, garlic is one of the most pungent spices in the world, known for its unique, bold flavor and aroma. We see some versions contain granulated garlic while others include garlic powder.
However, the flavor does not alter significantly by using the granules or the powder. But granulated garlic is a bit more coarse than the powder, so the texture of the overall mixture might change slightly.
03- Granulate Onion/ Onion Powder
Granulated or powdered onion is the ultimate ingredient that gives our topic leader its distinctive umami punch. This ingredient goes hand in hand with garlic granules/powder, dispersing its flavor throughout the mix.
Like garlic, the form used does not give a significant taste effect. But still, the texture could impact the texture of the seasoning blend. This spice’s sharp, sulfur-like flavor and aroma particularly enrichen the meat or whatever calls for this blend.
04- Paprika
Paprika is among the essential Montreal steak seasoning ingredients, providing a profundity of flavor and beautiful color. Generally, regular paprika is used in this mix. But occasionally, smoked paprika is included for a dynamic flavor. Some home chefs also prefer to use hot paprika for an extra punch of heat.
05- Dill Seeds
Dill seeds have a flavor that is similar to caraway but with a more clean, pungent, anise or celery seed-like bite. This spice gives our topic leader its unique fresh taste, pairing well with ingredients like coriander. These dill seeds are often crushed or coarsely ground before incorporating into the blend.
06- Coriander
This spice comes as a perfect taste stabilizer in this seasoning blend as it has a very balanced flavor profile. The delicate, nutty, slightly sweet, and citrusy flavor of coriander seeds complements the rich fatty texture of steak, teaming well with the bulk of the ingredients. Some recipes include ground coriander, while others use coarsely ground dry-roasted whole coriander seeds.
07- Black Pepper
Mighty black pepper offers the ideal earthy, peppery, and piney kick to the Montreal steak seasoning. As we know, this spice is considered one of the most ubiquitous ingredients that could complement meat. Coarsely ground or freshly cracked black pepper blends well with the rough texture of this mix to disperse its bold flavor throughout.
Other Montreal Steak Seasoning Ingredients
Apart from the key spices mentioned on top, we saw that most Montreal steak seasoning recipes also contain dry mustard. Moreover, a majority come with a considerable amount of salt, but you could also find options without salt or reduced salt.
Some could even include additional elements like cayenne pepper and dried rosemary. In addition, pre-made options might also contain sunflower oil and other flavor/ color additives and preservatives.
Is Montreal Steak Seasoning Vegan-Friendly?
Even though the primary intention of this seasoning blend is to use it on steak, the combination is perfect for vegetarian or vegan dishes as well. However, the classic and most basic recipe of Montreal steak seasoning is merely a blend of spices with salt and maybe herbs.
Thus, we have not come across any animal derivative in a majority of the options of this blend, and it can be concluded that this is vegan-friendly. But, if you are concerned, you can always check the list of ingredients before purchasing.
Does Montreal Steak Seasoning Contain MSG?
Most homemade and pre-made Montreal steak seasoning recipes are put together with spices, herbs, and salt. But some options might contain MSG for preserving and flavor-enhancing purposes. So, it is always better to check the list of ingredients to make sure.
Sometimes, a good steak and red wine are all you need to fix a bad day
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Is Montreal Steak Seasoning Gluten-Free?
This seasoning blend gets its key flavor from the spices used. Therefore, originally, Montreal steak seasoning came as a gluten-free blend. But some commercially-prepared options might have used gluten-related ingredients. So, if you are inquisitive, check the list of ingredients before buying.
Winding Up With The Flavor Story Of Montreal Steak Seasoning…
This seasoning must have ramped up your steak for ages, and you must have wondered what makes it so flavorful. So, as you see, Montreal steak seasoning spices like red chili flakes, paprika, garlic, onion, black pepper, etc. combine together to make an epic seasoning blend that would complement meat, fish, vegetables, and many other savory dishes.
