About Lemon Pepper Seasoning
There aren’t many spices out there that give you as much bang for your buck as lemon pepper seasoning.
Between the zest from a lemon, the zing from black pepper, and the classic combo of onion and garlic, you’ve got all the core flavors you need to transform plain chicken, fish, or beef into a delicious meal.
Can you use fresh lemon peel?
While you technically “could” use fresh lemon peel, I wouldn’t recommend it. Dried spices tend to be twice as potent as their fresh counterparts, but with lemon peel, it’s not your typical spice. This means that the dried-to-fresh conversion may not apply or that the perfecting the pepper-to-fresh-lemon ratio might be more trouble than it’s worth (and be rough on the taste-testing).
However, if you do find a way to use fresh lemon peel that works for you, remember that the lemon peel is perishable. Once made, it should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator and used within a week.
How do you make dried lemon peel?
If you have fresh lemons on hand and would love to use them in spices like lemon pepper, check out this tutorial: How to Make Dried Lemon Peel at Home.
Does lemon pepper seasoning go bad?
It doesn’t take long to accumulate a cabinet full of spices, but like all foods, they do have a “best buy” date. When determining how long to keep (or whether to use) a spice, these are the general rules of thumb:
- Whole spices (not ground) can stay fresh for four years.
- Ground spices stay fresh for two to three years.
- Dried herbs can be used for one to three years.
Given the above, homemade lemon pepper seasoning should stay fresh for about two years.
What can you make with lemon pepper?
Love the idea of lemon pepper but no idea how to use it? No problem! Check out this list for some of my favorites:
- Roasted Lemon Pepper Potatoes
- Lemon Pepper Pasta Salad
- Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish
- Lemon Pepper Grilled Tilapia
- Firey Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Crock Pot Lemon Chicken
- Lemon Pepper Alfredo Pasta Shells
- Lemon Pepper Green Beans
- Lemon Pepper Smoked Salmon
- Lemon Broccoli Chicken Pasta
Other great spice recipes
More great recipes with lemon
How to make lemon pepper seasoning
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – In a small bowl or jar, add the dried lemon peel, black pepper, onion powder, salt, and garlic powder.
Step 2 – Give the ingredients a good, thorough stir.
Step 3 – Use and enjoy!
Recipe Details
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Ideal for fish, chicken, or hamburgers, a dash of this homemade lemon pepper seasoning can add just the right amount of tangy flavor to your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together dehydrated lemon zest, black pepper, onion powder, salt, and garlic powder.
- Store prepared lemon pepper seasoning in a sealed container. Use as needed.
Recipe Notes
Recipe makes about 3/4 cup. Nutrition information calculated as 1 tsp per serving.
It’s a perfect seasoning and can be used in many dishes.