Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning is so easy to make, and has the most lovely flavor! It's wonderfully tasty on chicken, seafood, veggies and so much more. You'll never want store-bought again!
Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning Recipe
I'm going to let you in on a little secret that one of my best friends taught me. It's a little tough love, but here goes: You - yes, you! - have got to stop buying seasonings at the store!
Why? Jarred spices can lose their color and flavor over time, and did you know that the contents of your spice rack can go bad? They have expiration dates we often forget to check! Plus, homemade seasonings are so much more flavorful and versatile. Like things a little milder? Then cut down the pepper - and that sort of thing.
My homemade all purpose seasoning and taco seasoning are both staples in our house. They're just so much tastier than anything you can find in stores. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't reach for this homemade lemon pepper seasoning at least once a week.
If you don't believe me that homemade seasoning blends are better, then try this lemon pepper seasoning - I know I will convert you! This is a versatile blend that is loaded with zesty lemon flavor. It's the very best way liven up chicken, fish and veggies.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
This recipe is so tasty and easy! I think you'll fall in love with it, just like we have:
- With only three simple ingredients, no additives, no preservatives and no food colors, this seasoning is just real food goodness and taste you trust.
- Use it tonight and keep the rest on hand for future recipes. It stores well, so make it ahead of time and you'll always have it ready to use.
- This flavor combination tastes great on seafood, chicken and veggies. I love having versatile seasoning in my spice cabinet.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make an impeccable lemon pepper seasoning, it all starts with fresh lemons. You will grate the zest or the yellow part of the lemon skin, which holds all the brilliant, zesty flavor and essential oils. No lemons? You can use other types of citrus, like limes, grapefruits, or oranges.
There are many different types of lemons and you can use any of them in this recipe. Meyer lemons are a little sweeter, but they work really well. I am lucky enough to have a lemon tree in my yard, but when I don't have any fresh ones, I buy regular medium lemons at the grocery store.
You'll also need fine salt - either sea salt or kosher salt (but NOT table salt) - and black pepper, ideally freshly ground from whole peppercorns. I like to use these salt and pepper grinders to get the brightest flavor. Freshly cracked black pepper from a spice grinder is my favorite for everything - so flavorful!
Want to add some kick or extra flavor to this seasoning? Mix in different spices like garlic powder, red pepper, cayenne pepper, or onion powder. That's the beauty of making your own spice blends You can use loads of versatile seasonings to make it your own!
If using fresh citrus zest isn't an option, consider making a marinade instead. We love this Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade and this Grilled Shrimp Marinade, which you can use on other types of seafood too.
How to Zest Lemons
To make lemon zest, you will need a zester or Microplane. If you don't have one, I recommend getting one! They are not only great for zesting citrus, but also grating garlic and shaving Parmesan cheese.
If you don't have a quality zester, you can carefully peel the lemons and very finely dice the lemon peel. Be careful not to get any of the white pith underneath the lemon rind - that will make your lemon zest taste bitter.
If you only need the zest and not the juice for your recipe, save the juice to make something yummy like strawberry lemonade or mini lemon cheesecakes!
How to Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning
You can make this easy recipe in just a few quick steps.
- First, zest your lemons. You will need about 3 lemons' worth of zest to make ½ cup of seasoning, but if you don't need as much you can just use one or two.
- The recipe calls for equal parts of lemon zest, salt and pepper, so for every lemon you use, add 1 tablespoon each of salt and pepper. (Most lemons create about 1 tablespoon.)
- Then, in a small bowl or jar, combine lemon zest, salt and pepper. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- You can use it right away! But if you plan to store it, leave it out overnight on a sheet pan to dry out the lemon zest. You can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Uses for Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Chicken: I absolutely love these lemon pepper chicken thighs - we easily make them about once a month, if not more! The thing I love about chicken thighs is that you can grill or pan sear them, and they're delicious every time. Eat it as is, put it on a salad or throw it into a lemon chicken soup.
You could also rub it all over a whole chicken or other cuts of chicken like breasts or tenders. Lemon pepper is a very popular seasoning for chicken wings, too. (If you make those, you're going to need some amazing homemade ranch dressing to go with it!)
Seafood: Citrus also complements seafood really well. Try this seasoning on grilled shrimp or on a flaky fish like tilapia or salmon.
Other proteins: It doesn't stop at chicken and fish. You could also use this seasoning on pork chops, or even to make beef jerky!
Veggies: Sprinkle this seasoning before or after cooking veggies like zucchini, cauliflower or green beans. The zest really helps to brighten all the flavors.
Drinks: Add it to the rim of a Bloody Mary or margarita for a zesty-salty-spicy situation! Follow these instructions for rimming a glass.
Tips for Success
With these few basic tips, you can make sure that your zesty little seasoning is a party for your taste buds:
- Be careful zesting! It can be a dangerous business, but also make sure you only get the yellow parts of the peel. The white pith is super bitter and can affect the taste of your seasoning.
- Store leftover seasoning in an airtight container, away from moisture. If your spice cabinet gets steam from your stovetop, consider storing homemade seasonings in the pantry instead.
- Use a clean spice jar to avoid cross-contact of ingredients. I'm all for reusable spice jars, but sometimes those plastic tops can hold onto flavors - ensure the jar is clean and dry so that your seasoning doesn't take on any old or funky flavors.
FAQ
The combination of acidity with a warming spice is what makes this seasoning so tasty. The citrus zest adds a depth of flavor that many other spice combinations can't get - that's why it's such a popular flavor profile. This simple combo truly makes for a delicious, zesty and spicy experience and it works on everything from chicken and seafood to vegetables.
It is important to store your seasoning away from moisture to avoid clumping. However, you can also try adding some grains of rice to your spice jar! The rice will soak up any moisture and help keep the seasoning from clumping together.
It's possible you zested some of the white pith of the lemon peel. This has a naturally bitter flavor, and if it gets into your seasoning, it could cause it to taste bitter as well. If this happens, you can totally still use the seasoning, but you may want to spritz your finished dish with a little lemon juice to brighten it up after it is cooked.
Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon zest from about 3 lemons
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, combine 3 tablespoons fresh lemon zest, 3 tablespoons kosher salt and 3 tablespoons black pepper.
- Stir until thoroughly combined.
Notes
Nutrition
More Marinades and Seasonings
- Homemade Italian Bread Crumbs
- Grilled Shrimp Marinade
- Italian Marinade for Pork Chops
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
More Homemade Basics
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CUT DOWN THE SALT