Most British steaks are under-seasoned. We worry about ruining the meat with too much spice. The opposite is the problem.
Steakhouse beef gets salted heavily 40 minutes before it hits the pan. The crust you taste at Hawksmoor is salt, pepper, and a high-heat sear. That is it.
The home steak method
Step 1: Salt 40 minutes ahead. A generous pinch of flaky sea salt on both sides. Sit the steak on a rack in the fridge, uncovered, while the salt does its job.
Step 2: Pat dry, season again. Right before cooking, pat off any moisture. Add Costack Meat Seasoning (1 tsp per 200g steak), pepper, and a light second salt.
Step 3: Hot pan, butter at the end. Cast iron at smoke point. 2 minutes per side for medium-rare on a 2.5cm steak. Butter, garlic, thyme in the pan for the last 60 seconds. Spoon the foaming butter over the steak.
Step 4: Rest. 5 minutes. Non-negotiable. Resting holds the juices.
Different cuts, different seasoning
| Cut | Method | Seasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Ribeye | Pan-sear | Salt + meat seasoning + pepper |
| Sirloin | Pan-sear | Salt + meat seasoning |
| Mince (bolognese) | Pan-fry | All purpose + thyme + black pepper |
| Slow-cook brisket | Oven 4hr | Meat seasoning + paprika + brown sugar |
| Roast topside | Oven 1hr | Meat seasoning + garlic granules + sea salt |
| Burger patties | Pan or grill | All purpose + black pepper, mixed in |
Costack Meat Seasoning is built for red meat: heavier on garlic and paprika, less on thyme than a chicken blend.
The mince upgrade
Mince is the most-cooked beef in UK households and the most under-seasoned. Spaghetti bolognese with just salt is a missed opportunity.
The fix:
- 1 tsp Meat Seasoning per 500g mince
- 1 tsp All Purpose Seasoning
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 grated garlic clove
Mix into the raw mince before browning. Tastes like a £15 ragu for £4.
Sunday roast beef
Topside or silverside (2kg):
- 1 tbsp Meat Seasoning
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 4 cloves grated garlic
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard as a base layer
Rub all over, sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then in the oven. The mustard binds everything to the surface.
Related reads
- The Sunday roast seasoning toolkit
- BBQ rub bible: 5 rubs for grilling season
- How to season chicken (the master guide)
Get Costack Meat Seasoning for £8.50 →
Or grab the Bold Meat Lover's Power Pack →
