Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning

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Lemon pepper spice is so simple to make with only 3 ingredients and a little prep, and it is delicious on all types of chicken recipes such as wings, thighs, tenders, and more! But don’t limit yourself to poultry! Although it works great on chicken, homemade lemon pepper seasoning brings out the best in fish, pork, and even steak!

Lemon Pepper Seasoning Recipe

Making homemade lemon pepper blended seasoning is a simple recipe, but this easy spice blend makes everything it touches so sophisticated with flavor! The sour from the lemons actually excites the taste buds and opens them to receive all the other flavors. So, even using it on steaks, for example, will make the beef flavor taste even beefier. 

You can make enough to keep on hand for whenever you need it. However, don’t be surprised if you find yourself making it all the time. Because it goes with everything, and then some. Soups, salads, proteins, veggies, you name it!

Homemade Chili Seasoning in white bowl spoonful

Making Your Own Spice Blends is So Smart!

I have many recipes for spice blends right here on my website. I find them so much better than store-bought, and they are way more economical! 

Baking? Add some Pumpkin Pie Spice or Apple Pie Spice to your cakes, bread and pancakes! Use in place of cinnamon in recipes to give them a whole new twist. 

Add some Everything Bagel Spice to dips, soups and use as a topping for bread and muffins. Not to mention how making your own Taco Seasoning or Chili Seasoning will give your recipes a whole new element of flavor!

Health Benefits Of Lemon Pepper Blend Seasoning

You actually can reduce the amount of sodium you use by using a lemon pepper seasoning blend! Because the lemon helps boost the “saltiness” of the seasoning, you actually can use less salt because it still feels like “just enough” to your taste buds. 

Also, the lemon contains polyphenols that actually boost the metabolism and aid in weight loss. Making food taste good but also helping keep slim? Raise your hand if you are in!

Best Uses For Lemon Pepper Seasoning

This easy lemon pepper spice blend truly brings out the best in every dish. Don’t be surprised if you use it instead of just using salt or pepper by itself. On a salad, it can make even plain old iceberg lettuce stand up with flavor. But, on a  steak, you may not even taste the lemon. However, the steak will literally seem more richly beefy. Pork and chicken typically need a bit of savory seasoning, and in this case, the lemon doesn’t take a backseat but actually enhances the savory quality of the salt and pepper. 

The Ingredients in Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend

Nothing too complicated, blending crushed pepper and salt with dried lemon zest makes a great blend. For ingredients, all you need:

  • Lemon
  • Peppercorns
  • Salt

Ingredient amounts and complete instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How To Make Lemon Pepper Blend Seasoning

Although using pre-ground pepper is an option, I recommend using nice fresh peppercorns. They are so much more flavorful with peppery goodness. Also, fresh lemons, with skins almost 00zing citrus oils are ideal. You will heat them with low heat to both dry them as well as intensify the flavors. 

Preheat the oven to the lowest setting. (170 degrees F) Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spread the lemon zest onto one section of the prepared baking sheet in an even layer, taking care there aren’t any clumps.

Place the peppercorns on the sheet in another section, keeping them separated from the lemon. Bake until the lemon is completely dry. Approximately 30-40 minutes. You will be able to tell because the color will deepen and it will be crunchy, not soft.

 

Transfer the peppercorns to a small food processor or spice grinder.

Pulse them until they are finely ground.

Add in the dried lemon zest and salt and give a quick pulse to combine everything. The salt adds flavor but also helps prevent clumping. 

That’s it! You are ready to use your spice as soon as it’s made.

Love it? Pin it!

Make sure you can find this recipe when you need it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

 

How To Prevent My Lemon Pepper Spice Blend From Clumping

Ideally, if you dry your ingredients well first, you prevent clumping, but even humidity in the air might cause clumping. Don’t worry, you don’t have to toss it! There are a few simple ways to reduce clumping. First, keep the lemon pepper spice away from heat, light, and moisture. Store it in a well-sealed jar. 

If you keep it in a shaker and don’t want to have to break it up before each use, then store a couple of dried pinto or similar beans in the jar too. The beans are too big to shake out, but they will absorb excess moisture very effectively.

one white plate with lemon pepper chicken, rice, lemon wheels, and basil

Dishes To Use Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend

lemon brownies on fork

Love Lemon Recipes?

Us, too!! There is just something about fresh lemon added to a recipe that just completely ups its game, am I right? Here are some more lemon recipes to love:

 

 

Let’s make some Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning!  M. logo An Affair from the Heart

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blended lemon pepper spice seasoning
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Print Recipe

Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning

The lemon pepper spice is so simple to make with only 3 ingredients and a little prep, and it is delicious on all types of chicken recipes such as wings, thighs, tenders, and more!
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time38 minutes
Course: Dressings, Sauce & Marinades
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fresh lemon, homemade lemon pepper, how to make lemon pepper seasoning, Lemon Pepper Seasoning, lemon pepper spice, recipe
Servings: 3 Tablespoons
Calories: 27kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup lemon zest about 2-3 lemons
  • 1 Tablespoon black peppercorns
  • ½ Tablespoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to the lowest setting. (170 degrees F) Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Spread the lemon zest onto one section of the prepared baking sheet in an even layer, taking care there aren’t any clumps. Place the peppercorns on the sheet in another section, keeping them separated from the lemon.
  • Bake until the lemon is completely dry. Approximately 30-40 minutes. You will be able to tell because the color will deepen and it will be crunchy, not soft.
  • Transfer the peppercorns to a small food processor or spice grinder. Pulse them until they are finely ground.
  • Add in the dried lemon zest and salt and give a quick pulse to combine everything. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 27kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1890mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g

 

 

 

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8 Comments

  1. I love homemade lemon pepper seasoning! Had no idea it was so easy to make at home…made a big batch can’t wait to use it on some chicken and fish 🙂

  2. This is so easy and so useful. It’s great for my daughter who’s sensitive to citrus as it doesn’t have citric acid in it but you get the lemon flavour.

  3. Tried this seasoning with some wings, and it did not disappoint! Quick, easy and flavorful; a great seasoning, indeed!

  4. Made this recipe with our fish dinner last night and it did not disappoint. I love that it only takes three ingredients to make such a delicious seasoning mix!

  5. What a wonderfully simple recipe to create a homemade lemon pepper seasoning at home! It’s great with fish!

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