How To Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning (With Quick And Easy Steps)

In this post: Most people use lemon pepper to season fish and other seafood, but it can also be used on steaks, chicken, salads, and vegetables.

I’m the kind of cook who gets bored of making the same food over and over again. That’s why it’s so important for me to have a LARGE variety of seasonings and sauces up my sleeve. And this homemade lemon pepper seasoning is one of my all-time favorites!

What is Lemon Pepper Seasoning?

Lemon pepper seasoning is a delicious seasoning blend of lemon zest, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. It goes wonderfully with dishes like fish, chicken, vegetables, and more!

What Does Lemon Pepper Seasoning Taste Like?

This seasoning has a nice strong lemon tang (often described as a zing!) that pairs well with the smokey spice of black pepper. And along with these two strong flavors, there are hints of garlic, onion, and salt.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This lemon pepper seasoning recipe:

• is quick and easy to make
• keeps well in an airtight container for months
• doesn’t contain complicated instructions or hard-to-find ingredients
• can easily be adjusted to suit your individual taste

Lemon Pepper Seasoning Ingredients

• Dried lemon zest: you can use store-bought like this lemon zest or dry your own (instructions below).
• Black pepper: has an intense smoky spice flavor.
• Onion powder: more potent than fresh onions, blends better into this seasoning, and lasts longer in the cupboard.
• Sea salt: this basic seasoning complements the other ingredients in this seasoning mix.
• Garlic powder: less tangy and pungent than fresh garlic.

How to dry lemon zest

Drying the lemon zest will make your lemon pepper shelf-stable. Here’s how you do it:

1. Zest your lemons.
2. Spread the lemon zest out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake at 180° F with the oven door cracked open for about 30 minutes (until the zest is dry).
4. Allow your lemon zest to cool before using it.

Lemon Pepper Add-Ins

I love to vary my seasonings every so often for a little extra fun! These are some great spices to add to lemon pepper seasoning:

• chili flakes
• dried dill
• dried thyme
• lime zest
• dried basil

How to Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until combined.
2. Store in a sealed container in the pantry for about 6 months.

Serving Suggestions

This seasoning tastes great on:

• chicken; wings, legs, breasts, etc.
• shrimp
• potatoes
• fish
• pasta
• popcorn
• roasted vegetables

Tips

• Use this seasoning like you would any store-bought lemon pepper. Whatever a recipe calls for, that’s how much you would use. If a recipe doesn’t have an amount, add it based on taste!
• It’s important that you buy high-quality ingredients for the best flavor profile. If you buy cheap ingredients, it will reflect in the finished taste.
• This seasoning can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Once mixed, do a taste test and adjust to your preferences. Some like more lemon zest, some like more pepper, some like to swap the garlic and onion amounts, etc. It’s all up to you, but this recipe is a great starting point!

FAQ

Can you make it ahead?

Yes, you can make this lemon pepper seasoning ahead! Just make sure you use dried lemon zest if you are going to store your seasoning at room temperature.

Can you use fresh lemon peel?

You can absolutely you fresh lemon zest! Just know that if you use fresh lemon peel, the seasoning won’t last in the cupboard and you’ll have to use it immediately or store it in the fridge.

How do you make dried lemon peel?

Bake your lemon zest at 180° F for 30 minutes with the oven door cracked open. Let the zest cool before using it.

What other spices can you use with lemon pepper?

You can try using the following:

• dried oregano
• dried thyme
• dried basil
• chili flakes
• dried dill

Does lemon pepper seasoning have carbs?

This seasoning has about one gram of carbs per 1/2 tbsp (about 4 servings). Which is less than 0.4% of the average person’s daily needs. What I’m saying is, the amount is negligible. 

Does lemon pepper have gluten?

Some store-bought lemon pepper seasonings may have gluten in them, but this homemade recipe is 100% gluten-free!

Does lemon pepper have calories?

Of course, but not a lot! 1/2 tbsp has about 6 calories.

Does lemon pepper seasoning have sodium?

Yes, this seasoning does have sodium because it contains salt. 1 tsp of this seasonings contains only about 8.5% of daily sodium recommendations. However, you can make the seasoning without salt if you want to avoid sodium altogether. 

What can I substitute for lemon pepper?

If you don’t have time to buy or make lemon pepper, you can substitute it with some freshly squeezed lemon juice, a couple of teaspoons of black pepper, and a sprinkle of salt. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but it’s good enough in a pinch.

How to Store

Store your lemon pepper seasoning in an airtight container. If you used fresh lemon peels, you can store the seasoning in the fridge for about a week. And if you used dried lemon zest, you can store the seasoning in the cupboard for up to 6 months.

More Homemade Spice Blends

• Fajita Seasoning Mix
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Steak Seasoning
• The Best Poultry Seasoning
• Homemade Chili Seasoning
• Italian Seasoning Recipe
• Greek Seasoning

Continue to Content

Lemon Pepper Seasoning Recipe

Yield: 9 tablespoons

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

Bursting with lemon flavor, with only a couple of added seasonings to support the overall taste, this lemon pepper seasoning is easy, quick, and delicious.

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Ingredients

• 5 Tablespoons Dried Lemon Zest
• 2 Tablespoons Black Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
• 2 Teaspoons Sea Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until combined.
2. Store in a sealed container in the pantry for about 6 months.

Notes

• This seasoning can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Once mixed, do a taste test and adjust to your preferences.
• You can make your own dried lemon zest if preferred.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 6Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 303mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily via Nutrifox.

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