From poutine to bagels and smoked meat, Montreal is renowned for its cuisine. One of the most beloved tastes to come out of this history-rich French-Canadian city is Montreal steak seasoning. Known for its magical effect on steak, this spice is also versatile enough to level up many other foods. Here's how to get the most from this venerable spice mix.
What is Montreal Steak Seasoning?
Otherwise known as Montreal steak spice or just Montreal seasoning, this mouthwatering dry rub was a signature seasoning at renowned delicatessen Schwartz's. Legend has it that a worker at the deli — one of the oldest in Canada — began dusting the meat there with an old Romanian spice recipe often used with pastrami. After patrons across the city began craving the tasty mixture, Montreal steak spice was born. It become a mainstay in Montreal cuisine, and spread across the country.
Key Ingredients in Montreal Seasoning
Some of the ingredients in Montreal steak spice draw on the pickling spices traditionally used in some Eastern European regions, including dill and coriander. You'll also often find black pepper, mustard seed, cayenne and salt in versions of this seasoning. These ingredients create a savoury taste with a garlicky heat that complements the deep, rich flavour of a top-quality steak.
Montreal Steak Spice as a Dry Rub
One of the most popular kinds of Montreal seasoning recipes is a juicy grilled steak. It couldn't be simpler. Check out this Grilled Montreal Steak recipe, which adds our Montreal Steak Spice Seasoning to a grilling steak (a rib eye or New York Strip are both great choices).
Montreal Seasoning as a Flavour Enhancer
While many Montreal steak seasoning recipes feature BBQ/grilled steak, it's also a great flavour enhancer for ground beef. Our Ultimate Canadian Burgers use it as an ingredient rather than as a rub. Try it and taste what happens when Canada claims the burger as its own.
Montreal steak spice can also take veggies to a whole new level. Portobello mushrooms have a steak-like meaty texture that makes them perfect for this popular seasoning. Brush it over them on the BBQ to make a tasty, healthy Grilled Portobello Mushroom Panini for the perfect lunch.
Alternatively, check out this Grilled and Loaded Smashed Potato Recipe. It bakes the seasoning directly into the smashed potato and bacon mix to create a tasty, filling potato hash that delights with every bite.
Montreal Seasoning Recipes for Barbecue Chicken
Montreal seasoning recipes aren't just limited to Montreal steak spice; there's an alternative Montreal chicken spice to elevate your grilled chicken recipes. Our Montreal Chicken Seasoning marries onion, roasted garlic, and a unique mixture of herbs and spices to give your poultry some extra punch.
One of our favourite grilled chicken recipes is Beer Can Chicken. Prop a whole chicken atop an opened can of beer and perch it jauntily in the BBQ for a moist, succulent barbecue chicken feast. Rubbing with Montreal chicken spice makes the skin irresistible.
Montreal chicken spice is also a key ingredient in our Montreal Grilled Chicken Wraps. Seasoning the chicken before grilling turns a simple tortilla wrap into a lunch package filled with flavour.
Making Marinades from Montreal Seasoning
While many Montreal seasoning recipes use the spice in its dry form, you can also easily turn it into a marinade. This Montreal Steak Marinade recipe adds a little olive oil and soy sauce to Montreal steak spice, so that you can marinate a steak in the refrigerator for hours, infusing it with flavour.
Marinades are also a great way to take steak beyond the BBQ with this delicious Montreal Steak Air Fryer Beef Jerky recipe. Marinating with Montreal steak spice, a little smoked paprika and brown sugar creates a smoky-sweet mixture that prepares flank steak for dehydration in the air fryer. The result? A chewy flavour bomb that won't last for long. Our advice: Make more of this than you think you'll need.
You can also make a poultry marinade with Montreal chicken spice by adding vinegar and vegetable oil to Montreal chicken spice in this Montreal Chicken Marinade. It's how we make each skewer of our Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs recipe so impossible to resist.
If you can't make it to Montreal, then bring a little taste of Montreal to you. Whether you're in the mood for chicken, beef, or veggies, these recipes put authentic Canadian flavours on your plate.
Other Montreal Steak Spice Recipes
Once you've tried these Montreal seasoning recipes, check out these extra dishes to keep the flavour going:
