Description
This homemade lemon pepper seasoning recipe is a staple for a well-stocked pantry, bringing bright, zesty aroma and bold flavor to chicken and veggies. It’s perfect for quick, healthy, and family-friendly meals, effortlessly elevating everyday dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
- Zest from 2–3 medium lemons (or 2 tablespoons dried lemon peel)
- 0.25 cup black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 0.25 teaspoon cane sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Lemons: Zest 2-3 medium lemons, ensuring to avoid the bitter white pith. Spread the zest thinly on a baking sheet to dry for 1-2 hours until it feels brittle and crisp to the touch. (Alternatively, use 2 tablespoons of store-bought dried lemon peel for a quicker approach.)
- Grind Pepper: In a spice grinder or using a mortar and pestle, coarsely grind 0.25 cup black peppercorns. You are aiming for a fresh, pungent aroma and visible texture, not a fine dust.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the brittle dried lemon zest, the freshly ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all ingredients thoroughly until they are evenly distributed, creating a harmonious blend of colors and scents. For a finer powder, briefly pulse in a spice grinder for a few seconds. Stop when it looks like a coarse powder to avoid clumping.
- Store Seasoning: Transfer your homemade lemon pepper seasoning to a clean, airtight jar. Store it in a cool, dark pantry to preserve its potent flavor for up to 6 months.
Notes
For a faster version, use store-bought dried lemon peel. To adjust heat, vary the amount of black pepper. If zest clumps, it wasn’t dry enough; spread longer. If too salty, reduce salt next time and add more pepper or lemon. Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark pantry for up to 6 months.
- Prep Time: 65 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Seasoning Blend
- Method: Mixing, Drying
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.25 teaspoon (approx. 1 g)
- Calories: 3 calories
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: lemon pepper seasoning, homemade, healthy meals, family-friendly, pantry staple, spice blend, easy recipe, chicken seasoning, veggie seasoning