Our lemon pepper seasoning recipe will add a burst of delicious flavor to so many of your dishes. This zesty homemade seasoning blend combines the bright citrus tang from fresh lemon zest. With a slight salt and garlic flavor and the bold kick of cracked black pepper. That is perfect for sprinkling on fish, vegetables, or chicken.
Making your own homemade seasonings is not only easy to master. But also is the best way to ensure you're getting the freshest of ingredients while also controlling the amount of seasoning used. So let's say goodbye to those store-bought seasonings and hello to fresh flavor with your own homemade blends.
What Is Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Lemon pepper seasoning is a spice blend that combines dried lemon zest and cracked black pepper together with a hint of salt and garlic flavor. This easy-to-make homemade blend is perfect for adding a burst of flavor to a variety of dishes.
The fresh lemon zest adds a citrusy flavor while the cracked black pepper adds a spicy depth of flavor. Mixed together with the perfect amount of salt and garlic powder to create the best lemon pepper recipe.
Sprinkle some of this versatile blend on chicken wings to create lemon pepper wings. Or add a citrusy flavor to salads and veggies with this easy homemade mix.
Unlike the lemon pepper blends you get at the grocery store making this homemade recipe allows you to control the ingredients to your liking. Now let's mix up a batch of this lemon pepper seasoning to stock in your spice cabinet.
Ingredients Need & How To Make
I love creating my own homemade spice mixes and this lemon pepper mix is an easy recipe to master. In this section, we will talk about the simple ingredients used and how to make it.
- Fresh lemons are needed for the zest. The lemon peel adds that lemon flavor we want in this blend.
- garlic powder adds a hint of garlic flavor without adding in more salt.
- sea salt will help enhance the other ingredients in this blend. Sea salt is a coarser texture which compliments the zesy lemon and pungent black pepper.
- Whole Black peppercorns gives you that fresher robust black pepper flavor.
To get started first, we will want to wash the lemons and remove any of the wax and dirt that is on the lemons. Then dry the lemons off and zest the peel.
I like to use a hand grater to zest the lemons with, that way I'm not getting the white pith. The white pitch will add a bitter flavor so definitely not something we want to add to this seasoning mix. Zesting the lemon peel will help it dry out faster when baked in the oven.
Add the zested lemon peels onto a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Then place the lemon zest in a preheated oven that's at the lowest setting.
Bake for 1-2 hours or until the lemon zest is dried out, my oven took an hour and a half at 170 degrees. You can also use a food dehydrator to dry out the lemon zest.
Into a spice grinder or food processor add in the peppercorns, grind it for a bit then add in the lemon peel. Then grind these two ingredients until there are only a few chunks of peppercorns. Into a small bowl add the ground lemon zest and cracked black pepper. Mix in the sea salt and garlic powder until all four ingredients are blended.
Place in an airtight container and store in a cool dark place like a spice cupboard or pantry. I like to use either small mason jars or spice jars, of course making sure to label what's inside the jars.
Ways To Use Lemon Pepper Seasoning
There are many ways to enjoy your own homemade lemon pepper seasoning recipe. Use this peppery-lemony seasoning as a dry rub or as a marinade for grilled steak, pork chops, ribs, or to make lemon pepper chicken wings.
Sprinkle a little bit of this seasoning blend on chicken breast then grill it. Or on to fish or seafood. Add a bit of lemon pepper flavor to creamy pasta or rice dishes.
Mix with some olive oil to create a simple salad dressing or season vegetables with this delicious blend. This seasoning blend can even be used to flavor your evening popcorn.
Or how about starting your morning off with a peppery lemon flavor on scrambled eggs or avocado toast? The possibilities are endless with this easy homemade lemon pepper seasoning mix.
More Homemade Seasoning Blend
If you enjoy making your own seasonings like I do then you are sure to love some of our other easy spice blend recipes.
Lemon Pepper Seasoning Recipe
Add a little lemony yet peppery flavor to chicken, fish, or even vegetables with this easy recipe for homemade lemon pepper seasoning.
Ingredients
- 4 Large Lemons
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder Optional
- 1½ Teaspoons Sea Salt
- ¼ Cup Peppercorns
Instructions
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Preheat oven to the lowest setting, mine was 170 ℉. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or silicone liner.
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Wash and dry the lemons. Using a vegetable grater grate the peel off the lemon. You just want the outer yellow part, not the white pith.
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Place the grated lemon peel on the prepared sheet pan and place in the oven for 1-2 hours to dry out. My oven took 1.5 hours. Keep checking and remove as soon as the zest looks like it's dried.
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Into a spice grinder add in the peppercorns and grind for a bit. Then add in the dried lemon peel and grind these seasonings until peppercorns only have a few bigger chunks.
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Once you have the lemon zest and peppercorns ground to desired coarseness, mix in the garlic powder and salt. Place in an airtight container and store in a cool dark place.
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