Homemade Lemon Pepper Recipe

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Ditch the store-bought stuff and make your own homemade lemon pepper seasoning!

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Jump to Recipe

Why make it homemade?

Check out the ingredients on the spice mix packets from the grocery store. They have ingredients like: corn or potato starch, maltodextrin, potassium magnesium chloride, silicon dioxide, and sugar.

None of those nasty ingredients in this recipe! It’s free from artificial ingredients & preservatives, sugar-free, and gluten free.

Not only is homemade healthier, but it’s also cheaper. A jar of lemon pepper costs a few dollars at the grocery store. You can make it homemade for a few cents with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Plus it’s less wasteful to make your spice mixes homemade. No single-use packets or containers to toss in the trash.

How to make Homemade Lemon Pepper

It’s really very simple. No special ingredients to purchase for this recipe! Gather a few lemons and some basic spices from your pantry:

• 3 lemons, zested
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

First, zest the lemons. Then there are two ways you can go with this recipe:

Method 1: Quick and Easy

• Combine all the ingredients, and you’re done.
• Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

Method 2: For a Longer Shelf-Life

• Spread the lemon zest on a parchment lined baking sheet. 
• Bake in the oven at the lowest temperature until dry, about 15-20 minutes.
• Combine all ingredients.
• Store in an air tight container up to 3 months.

Both ways work great and give you that delicious, zesty lemon pepper flavor. The difference is how long it will last. Since the lemon zest is left fresh in the quick and easy method, it won’t last as long. Only about a week or two in the fridge.

If you want to make up a big batch to keep in the pantry, go with the second method. Drying the lemon zest helps to preserve it, making your homemade lemon pepper last much longer.

This recipe is great for making up a big batch (as long as you dry the lemon zest first of course). Keep a jarful in the pantry so you always have it on hand for quick and easy flavorful meals.

Now what do you do with your homemade lemon pepper?

Homemade lemon pepper is the perfect seasoning for fish, chicken, and even pork chops. Simply season with lemon pepper and cook as normal. Or mix up a quick lemon pepper marinade:

• 2 tbsp lemon pepper
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt

Add it to a ziplock bag or bowl with your meat, and let it marinate for at least an hour. Then grill or pan-fry like you normally would.

Here’s a few more ideas for that yummy, tangy homemade lemon pepper:

• Try this Lemon Pepper Parmesan Crusted Tilapia for an easy, healthy, and budget-friendly meal the whole family will love.
• Lemon Pepper Shrimp is another easy dinner you can throw together quickly with a side of rice or pasta and some veggies.
• Who doesn’t love a good chicken wing? I know I do! Check out these Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings. Yum! You can fry, grill, or bake them for the perfect game day snack!

But lemon pepper isn’t only for meat! Try it on your veggies too:

• For a healthier, vegan game day snack, replace traditional chicken wings with these delicious Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Wings.
• Sautee some green beans or other veggies with a little olive oil and some homemade lemon pepper.
• If you think you don’t like asparagus, this Lemon Pepper Asparagus will change your mind! It’s delicious!
• Season french fries with homemade lemon pepper.

Now that you know how easy, cheap, and healthy it is to make your own homemade lemon pepper seasoning, you have no excuse not to!

What is your favorite way to use lemon pepper? Leave me a comment!