This homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning is incredibly easy to make and can add a delicious tangy zest kick of flavor to fish, chicken, veggies and more. Plus, making your own seasoning blends not only taste better, but they’re also cheaper too.

A bowl of Lemon Pepper Seasoning mixture with wooden spoons and scattered spices on the counter

Homemade Lemon Pepper Recipe

Lemon pepper seasoning is super versatile and adds the most incredible burst of fresh flavor to countless dishes. From pasta dishes, salads and casseroles to grilled and baked beef, chicken and seafood, a dash of this zesty lemon seasoning wakes up the flavor to everything you add it to.

Make a big batch of this easy and delicious seasoning blend and keep it in a sealed glass jar in your pantry so that you’ll always have some on hand when you need it. Homemade Italian Seasoning and flavorful Fajita Seasoning are two other great seasonings to always keep in stock in your pantry.

Why We Love Homemade Lemon Pepper

Delicious, fresh lemon taste – This seasoning adds a bright citrus tang and the best flavor to all your favorite recipes.
Incredibly easy recipe – This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients you can get from any grocery store.
Better than store-bought – Creating your own spice mixes is not only easy but also lets you control the ingredients, ensuring you have a more flavorful result that suits your personal preference.

Ingredients Needed to Make Lemon Pepper

Ingredients for Lemon Pepper Seasoning include Dried Lemon Zest, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Sea Salt and Garlic Powder

Dried Lemon Zest
Black Pepper
Onion Powder
Sea Salt
Garlic Powder

How to Make the Best Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Step One: Combine Spices

Portions of spices for Lemon Pepper Seasoning includes Dried Lemon Zest, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Sea Salt and Garlic Powder

In small mixing bowl, stir together all the spices until they are fully inforporated.

Step Two: Story in Airtight Container

A spoonful of Lemon Pepper Seasoning from a bowl

Store in a sealed container in the pantry. I like to use these small mason jars.

Lemon Pepper Seasonings Variations

This seasoning can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Mix it according to the directions and then taste test it so you can adjust to your preferences. You can easily adjust the amount of pepper, add more zest, swap the garlic and onion amounts or take it a step further with other creative add-ins. Here are some great options:

Spicy lemon pepper – Add just a little bit of cayenne pepper or a pinch of finely crushed red pepper flakes.
Lemon dill – The flavors of lemon and dill go hand in hand, especially with seafood recipes. Just add a teaspoon of dried dill to the mix.
Lemon herb – A wonderful seasoning for chicken herby lemon seasoning. Celery seed, dried parsley, rosemary or thyme are good options.

How Long Does this Dried Lemon Pepper Last?

When you store it correctly, your homemade lemon pepper seasoning will keep fresh for a few months. It really never goes bad, but it will start to lose the intensity of flavor after a few months.

Tips for Storing Homemade Seasoning Blends?

Shake before using: As the lemon pepper sits in the spice cabinet, some of the ingredients may settle to the bottom. Give the jar or container a good shake to redistribute the herbs and spices before using.
Ratio to use: It is recommended that you use the same amount of homemade seasoning as you would store-bought lemon pepper. Use it to make lemon pepper chicken wings, add it to salad dressing, sprinkle over meat and veggies.
Storing it properly: Keep homemade seasoning, away from direct sunlight, like on a spice rack in your pantry. Exposure to air will cause your herbs to become stale.
Label the jar or container: Store your own seasonings in a glass spice jar or other airtight containers that you’re able to label with the name of the spice and the date you make it.

Can I Make My Own Dried Lemon Zest?

You can find dried lemon zest on the spice aisle at most grocery stores, but you can also easily make it yourself. Zest a fresh lemon using a micro plane. Then just spread out the lemon zest in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Dry the zest in the oven at 200 F for about 20 minutes. The lemon oil will concentrate while it dries and become super flavorful. Then cool to room temperature and store it in a glass jar until ready to use. You can do the same thing with fresh lemon peel, but it will take about 30-40 minutes to dry out.

More Delicious Lemon Recipes

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Course Seasoning

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Total Time 2

If you enjoy making your own spices at home, you're going to love this homemade lemon pepper seasoning. Bursting with lemon flavor, with only a couple of added seasonings to support overall taste. Easy, quick, and few ingredients.

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until combined.
5 Tablespoons dried lemon zest, 2 Tablespoons black pepper, 1 Tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Store in a sealed container in the pantry for up to a month or longer.