Have you ever wondered what spices to use when you’re cooking beef? Find out the best seasoning for beef, and get a printable cheat sheet for your kitchen!
What Herbs & Spices Go With Beef?
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We raise beef cattle, so it’s probably not a surprise that we eat a lot of beef. Steaks on the grill are always delicious, and ground beef is so versatile. But using the same herbs and spices every time can get pretty boring. So how can you change up the flavors you cook with? Below is a list of herbs, spices, and seasonings that go well with beef.
Be sure to check out these posts for free printable lists of seasonings that pair well with other meats.
- What’s the Best Seasoning for Chicken?
- What’s the Best Seasoning for Pork?
How DoI Season Beef?
Thinner cuts of beef (like steaks) can be seasoned well with a marinade. Larger cuts, like roasts, can be brined to add moisture and flavor. It’s simple to mix up a combination of seasonings in a small bowl (or buy a pre-made spice mixture) for a rub. A rub is just what it sounds like – generously sprinkle the seasoning over the meat, then use your fingers to rub it in.
You can also sprinkle dried seasonings on cooked beef. Be a little stingy if you’re doing this, dried herbs and spices can be pretty powerful if they aren’t cooked first!
Basil
We love basil on almost everything. Basil can give beef a nice “Italian” sort of flavor. Use it alone, or with a combination of oregano, rosemary, and thyme for even more flavor.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are wonderful for adding flavor to a large roast. Put a few bay leaves in the broth when you’re cooking a beef roast, or when you’re making beef stew or beef soup. Just remember to take the bay leaves out before you serve it – they don’t taste very good to chew on!
Black Pepper
You can never go wrong with plain old salt and black pepper. Use this as a staple whenever you’re cooking beef.
Cayenne Pepper
If you like a little more heat, then cayenne pepper might be for you. Use this in place of – or in addition to – black pepper for a little more smoky heat.
Chili Powder
Chili powder is another great way to get some spice into your meat. Go easy at first, it’s always easy to add morechili powder later, but you can’t take it out if you add too much!
Cilantro
We love cilantro in Mexican-inspired dishes. Use cilantro to season beef strips for fajitas or tacos.
Cumin & Curry Powder
If you like Indian flavors, you’ll enjoy cumin and curry powder. Use them sparingly if you aren’t used to them – cumin and curry powder can be overpowering!
Garlic
Garlic goes with absolutely everything! Add some to your slow cooker when you’re making a pot roast, toss some in a stir fry, or even add it to your ground beef. You can never go wrong with roasted garlic, garlic powder, or minced garlic.
Mustard
If you like an easy flavor, mustard or dry mustard powder is it. It packs a lot of punch with only a little bit of effort.
Onion
Onion, like garlic, goes with just about everything. It’s delicious cooked with a roast, grilled to top a steak, or mixed in with ground beef for tacos or sloppy joes.
Oregano
If you love Italian seasoning, you’ll want to pile on the oregano! Oregano is one of the ingredients in most Italian seasoning blends, and it’s delicious with beef.
Parsley
Most people think of parsley as a garnish, not as a flavor. But it can add a nice fresh flavor to any beef dish.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a classic herb to include in beef broth or in the pot with a pot roast. Toss in a few sprigs of fresh rosemary anytime you’re slow cooking beef, and you won’t be disappointed!
Sage
Sage usually goes with turkey or chicken, but it’s also delicious with beef! Add a little bit ofdried sage to ground beef for a rich flavor.
Tarragon
Tarragon has a bit of an anise (black licorice) flavor to it. If you like anise, then you’ll definitely want to try a little tarragon in your next beef dish.
Thyme
Thyme is so versatile. It mixes well with garlic, parsley, and sage. Try a combination of these the next time you make ground beef, or toss it in the broth with your next slow cooked roast.
Free Printable for What is the Best Seasoning for Beef?
Do you want a free printable cheat sheet of this list? Keep it handy in your kitchen, and you’ll always know what flavors to choose when you’re cooking beef. Download your free printable here.
What are your favorite flavors to use with beef?
Enjoy!
Free Printable Ground Beef Buyer’s Guide
Have you ever gotten confused at the grocery store when you’re trying to pick out ground beef for tonight’s dinner? We can help! This Ground Beef Buyer’s Guide has everything you need to know about buying ground beef, plus you can download a free printable cheat sheet to keep handy in your kitchen or your purse!
Tools for Cooking with Ground Beef
Every kitchen needs a few basic tools… These are ones that I use all the time when I’m cooking with ground beef!
- 5-Quart Saute Pan
- Mix and Chop
- 6-Quart Slow Cooker
- Instant-Read Digital Thermometer
- Probe-Style Digital Thermometer
3 Ways to Take the Fear Out of Your Kitchen
- How to Cook the Perfect Steak
- Is It Done Yet? – free printable!
- How to Substitute Dried Herbs for Fresh Herbs – free printable!
3 Recipes to Try
- T-Bone Steak with Compound Butter
- Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast
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