How to Make Your Own Italian Seasoning
I use this homemade Italian Seasoning all the time. It is one of my all time absolute favourites because it works in so many dishes – and not all of them Italian.
Also Try: Homemade Taco Seasoning, Homemade Cajun Seasoning, Italian Vinaigrette
In addition to tomato sauce, pizza sauce, soups, stews and spaghetti sauce, I use it on roasted veggies, BBQ chicken, salad dressing or marinades, garlic toast, potatoes, baked pita chips, homemade croutons and sometimes even popcorn. In other words, it gets used a lot!
The Benefit of Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix
For me it’s all about getting the ingredients I want. Compare the list of ingredient in the recipe with list of ingredients from a store brand “Italian Seasoning”.
INGREDIENTS IN STORE BOUGHT BLEND: Salt, Dehydrated Vegetables (onion, red pepper, garlic), Sugar, Spice, Modified Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (soy,corn), Hydrogenated Soybean and Cottonseed Oil
Where’s the basil and oregano? Why is salt the first ingredient and why do we need sugar and cornstarch? Nope, I prefer just herbs, garlic, onion and black pepper in my Italian Seasoning. It really annoys me that something as simple as Italian Seasoning can get so messed up in the race to produce cheap food. Just another reason to make stuff from scratch at home.
As for costs? A 125 g bottle of Store Brand Italian Seasoning costs $5.99, mixing up this batch of seasoning (1 cup) cost me about $1.88. Less if you use your own homegrown and dried basil, oregano and parsley. Granted, I love to cook and have a lot of herb and spices in my cupboard. If you don’t use the ingredients often – it might make sense to buy a store blend – but pay more and get a good one with ingredients you love.
Why I Don’t Add Salt!
Heads up – this recipe does not include any salt. It’s not that I don’t like salt, it’s just that I like adding salt separately to recipes for better control. Far too often blends like this – especially store bought versions are loaded with salt – because it’s a cheap filler! I like to load up my herb blends with herbs!
Recipe for Italian Seasoning
Italian Herb Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 ½ Tbsp dried basil
- 3 Tbsp dried marjoram
- 3 Tbsp dried parsley
- 3 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 Tbsp onion flakes
- 1 ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 ½ tsp rubbed sage
- 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Store in an airtight jar.
- Use within 6-12 months.
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Other Seasoning Mixes
Onion Soup Mix– an MSG, salt and bouillon free version that’s super tasty
Lemon Herb Seasoning – great for veggies, chicken and fish
Cajun Seasoning – great for meats, soups, stews and sauces
Taco Seasoning – makes great Taco Seasoning/Sauce
Steak Seasoning – great for all meats and when mixing ground meat for burgers, meatballs or meatloaf
Popcorn Seasoning Recipes – not just for popcorn! (several recipes in one post)
Chili Lime Seasoning – great for chicken, fajitas, tortillas, taco salad, etc.
Chili Cheese Mix – great for steamed veggies, pasta, scrambled eggs, garlic toast or as an ingredient in homemade bread
BBQ Seasoning – great for chicken, barbecued meat, beer can chicken, pulled pork, ribs, etc,
Do you have a favourite seasoning mix? I’d love to hear more about it, please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @getgettys and Facebook @GettyStewart.HomeEconomist.
Cook with the seasons, effortlessly! I’m Getty, a food educator and Professional Home Economist, helping you select, store, and serve seasonal ingredients in delicious, simple, everyday meals. Sign up for seasonal tips and recipes delivered straight to your inbox, and dive deeper with my books, guides, or YouTube content.
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