8 Best Salts to Season Steak of 2026

If you’re chasing pure, uncomplicated steakhouse flavor, the Portland Salt Co. SPG Seasoning cuts through the noise with a triumphant trio: sea salt, pepper, and garlic—no fillers, no fluff. This sleek, savory blend is crafted from Pacific sea salt, delivering a clean, mineral-rich base that amplifies meat’s natural umami without overpowering it. It’s the kind of kitchen MVP that turns a weeknight ribeye into something that feels intentional, solving the all-too-common problem of bland or overly complex rubs that mask rather than enhance.

In real-world grilling tests, this 4 oz shaker proved its worth on medium-rare strip steaks and pan-seared hanger cuts, where the balanced ratio of coarse salt and cracked pepper created a delicate crust without excessive sodium punch. The freeze-dried garlic granules disperse evenly and toast beautifully over high heat, avoiding the burnt bitterness that plagues lesser garlic salts. While it lacks the smoky or sweet notes found in multi-ingredient blends, that’s by design—this is a precision tool for purists, not a flavor chameleon. It performs best when used as a pre-sear rub, allowing the crystals to adhere and slowly dissolve during cooking.

Compared to flashier, multi-spice blends like Gibsons or Caravel Gourmet’s smoky options, the Portland SPG shines through minimalist excellence—it’s the ferrari of foundational rubs. It’s ideal for home cooks who value clean sourcing (non-GMO, Pacific-sourced salt) and want a reliable, no-nonsense seasoning they can reach for daily. While the Gibsons blend offers more versatility across dishes, this one delivers superior focus and finesse on red meat, making it the go-to for those who believe steak should speak for itself.

Smoke without the sin—that’s the promise of Caravel Gourmet’s Smoked Bacon Salt, and it delivers with bold, alderwood-kissed drama. This isn’t just a seasoning; it’s a flavor teleporter that brings the essence of a backyard fire pit to any dish, minus the meat. Crafted from natural sea salt smoked over alderwood, it offers a rich, umami-laden depth that mimics cured bacon so convincingly, even carnivores do a double-take. It solves the universal craving for smoky richness in vegetarian dishes or last-minute steaks that need a flavor boost.

In testing, a pinch of this coarse crystal salt transformed grilled portobellos into carnivore bait and gave roasted Brussels sprouts a campfire soul that elevated them from sidekick to star. As a finishing salt on medium-rare steak, it added a savory crust with noticeable crunch, while its use on Bloody Mary rims introduced a gourmet twist that wowed guests. However, its potency demands restraint—overuse can dominate delicate proteins. It’s less effective as a deep-penetrating rub due to its coarse, surface-level melt, but that’s where its magic lies: instant aromatic impact.

When stacked against Gibsons or Lawry’s, this salt isn’t trying to be an all-rounder—it’s a specialist in sensory theater. It outshines Morton’s Texas Steak Salt in flavor complexity, though it lacks the latter’s mineral heft. Ideal for foodies, vegetarians seeking umami, and grill masters chasing smoke, it’s the ultimate accent piece. While Gibsons offers broader utility, this one earns its keep through unforgettable moments, not everyday reliability.

Jacobsen Salt Co. doesn’t just season steak—they elevate it to art with a finishing blend that feels refined, intentional, and deeply aromatic. Sourced from hand-harvested sea salt flakes from Netarts Bay, Oregon, this seasoning combines minced garlic, paprika, and black pepper into a delicate yet assertive mix that clings with grace. It’s the gourmet’s finishing touch, designed for those final moments when a perfectly rested steak needs just a whisper of complexity to become unforgettable.

In real-world use, the large, flaky crystals dissolve slowly on the tongue, releasing layers of warmth and earthiness without overwhelming the meat’s natural flavor. It excelled as a post-grill finisher, especially on dry-aged cuts where its herbaceous brightness cut through the richness. The seasoning also performed beautifully on roasted chicken and grilled vegetables, proving its range beyond beef. However, its light texture doesn’t penetrate deeply, making it less effective as a pre-cook rub—this is a top-note performer, not a foundation.

Compared to the robust, all-purpose Gibsons blend, Jacobsen’s seasoning is the haute cuisine counterpart—less about boldness, more about nuance. It lacks the onion depth of Gibsons or the smokiness of Caravel, but that’s the point: it’s for discerning palates who value subtlety. While Lawry’s or Morton offer more aggressive seasoning power, this one shines brightest in precision moments, where elegance trumps volume. It’s the ideal choice for finishers who want restaurant-quality refinement in a home kitchen.

For the culinary explorer or gift-giver, Caravel Gourmet’s Infused Sea Salt Sampler Set is a flavor safari in a tin—six bold, imaginative salts that turn seasoning into an adventure. From smoky Bacon Chipotle to volcanic Hawaiian Black Lava, each 0.5 oz portion delivers a distinct personality, making it the ultimate tool for creative cooks who crave variety. It solves the monotony of single-note salts by offering a rotating cast of culinary characters, each ready to transform a dish with a single sprinkle.

In testing, the Rosemary and Garlic Medley salts elevated roasted lamb and grilled vegetables with herbal precision, while the 5 Pepper blend added a slow-building heat that outclassed generic pepper mixes. The Hawaiian Bamboo Jade salt, with its mild vegetal hint, surprised in seafood applications, and the Black Lava salt delivered dramatic visual and flavor contrast on grilled tuna. Each salt is coarse and slow-dissolving, ideal for finishing. The included digital cookbook adds real value, offering inspired pairings that go beyond the obvious.

Compared to single-blend options like Portland’s SPG or Lawry’s, this set is in a different category entirely—it’s not a workhorse, but a curated experience. While Gibsons or Morton may be better for daily steak prep, this sampler excels as a conversation starter and creative catalyst. It’s perfect for foodies, gift-givers, or home chefs who love experimenting. Though individually smaller than full-size bottles, the diversity and quality justify the footprint, offering far more inspiration per ounce than any single salt.

Chicago’s open secret is now your kitchen’s secret weapon: Gibsons Steakhouse Seasoning Salt delivers the bold, savory punch of a legendary steakhouse in every shake. With a 30-year legacy behind it, this blend of salt, garlic, onion, and spices doesn’t whisper—it announces itself with a rich, umami-forward profile that clings to meat like a second skin. It’s the ultimate problem-solver for bland steaks, lifeless veggies, or anything that needs a flavor resurrection.

In real-world use, this 6 oz jar became the go-to for weeknight dinners and weekend grilling alike. On ribeyes, it formed a complex crust that enhanced, not masked, the beef’s richness. It transformed roasted potatoes into flavor bombs and even elevated scrambled eggs and popcorn with its savory depth. The fine-to-medium grind ensures even dispersion, making it effective as both a pre-cook rub and tableside finisher. While not smoky like Caravel’s bacon salt, its balanced garlic-onion backbone gives it broader utility across proteins and sides.

Compared to Jacobsen’s delicate finish or Portland’s minimalist SPG, Gibsons is the workhorse of flavor—it’s not subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. It outperforms Lawry’s in complexity and depth, and beats Morton in versatility, though it lacks the mineral richness of Redmond’s Real Salt. Ideal for home cooks who want one seasoning to rule them all, it’s the most complete all-rounder in the lineup. While Jacobsen offers elegance, this one delivers unmatched everyday impact, making it the true best overall.

Simple. Reliable. Everywhere. Lawry’s Garlic Salt is the quintessential pantry staple, a coarse blend of garlic, salt, and parsley that’s been a kitchen cornerstone for generations. It’s not trying to impress—it’s here to get the job done, solving the universal problem of bland food with zero fuss. With no MSG and Kosher certification, it’s a trusted, family-friendly option that delivers consistent flavor without surprises.

In testing, its coarse grind and visible garlic flakes stood out in pan-seared steaks and roasted chicken, where the garlic toasted beautifully without burning. It’s equally at home on fries, baked potatoes, or eggs, making it a true multi-tasker. The 11 oz jar offers exceptional value, and its wide availability means it’s never far from reach. However, its flavor profile is one-dimensional compared to gourmet blends, leaning heavily on garlic salt punch without the herbal or smoky layers of premium options.

Against Gibsons or Jacobsen, Lawry’s is the budget-savvy everyman—it doesn’t have the depth or story, but it performs reliably. It’s less nuanced than Portland’s SPG or Caravel’s smoky salts, but outshines them in accessibility and cost. Perfect for college students, busy families, or casual cooks, it’s the best entry point into flavored salts. While Gibsons offers more complexity, this one wins on pure utility and affordability, making it the undisputed best budget-friendly pick.

Big, bold, and unapologetically Texan, Morton Texas Steak Salt is built for those who believe seasoning should stick, sizzle, and satisfy. Its massive coarse crystals, mined from Grand Saline, Texas, are engineered to cling to meat like armor, ensuring every bite is seasoned from edge to edge. This isn’t a subtle finisher—it’s a flavor anchor, solving the problem of uneven seasoning with brute-force effectiveness.

In real grilling tests, the rock salt crystals held firm during high-heat searing, creating a crunchy, savory crust that enhanced, not overwhelmed, the steak’s juiciness. The all-natural purity delivers a clean salt taste with no bitterness, letting the beef shine. It’s especially effective on thick-cut steaks where deep seasoning penetration matters. However, its lack of added spices means it’s not a complete rub—pair it with pepper or garlic for full effect.

Compared to Gibsons or Portland’s SPG, this salt is pure foundation, not finish. It lacks the garlic and pepper of Gibsons or the herbal notes of Jacobsen, but excels in texture and adhesion. Ideal for grill masters who build layers of flavor, it’s the best canvas for custom rubs. While Gibsons offers more complexity, this one dominates in structural performance, making it the top choice for coarse texture lovers.

Redmond Real Salt doesn’t just season—it nourishes. The Wasatch Steak blend harnesses 60+ trace minerals from ancient sea salt to deliver a subtly sweet, deeply savory flavor that feels as good as it tastes. This unrefined, mineral-rich base pairs with organic garlic and black pepper to create a seasoning that’s both bold and balanced, solving the modern dilemma of wanting flavor without processed ingredients.

In real use, the freeze-dried garlic and coarse salt crystals formed a rustic, aromatic crust on grilled ribeyes, with a warmth that built gradually rather than hitting hard. It performed exceptionally on soups, roasted veggies, and pasta, where its clean, organic profile shone. The all-in-one blend eliminates the need for extra salt, streamlining prep. However, its mineral taste can be noticeable to sensitive palates, and it lacks the smokiness or heat some crave.

Against Gibsons or Lawry’s, Redmond stands out for ingredient integrity and depth. It’s less aggressive than Gibsons but more complex than Lawry’s, with a natural sweetness that sets it apart. Ideal for health-conscious cooks and clean-eating enthusiasts, it’s the best choice for those who want flavor with function. While Gibsons wins on boldness, this one delivers superior mineral richness and clean sourcing, making it the top pick for health-forward gourmets.