This homemade lemon pepper seasoning is made with just three ingredients but adds the subtle essence of citrus. It’s an easy way to enhance the flavor of chicken, fish and marinades and it has a long shelf life.

It’s so easy to make a simple weeknight meal transform into something wonderful with lemon oepper seasoning. It’s so easy to make a batch and liven up the most basic of meals.

A white bowl on a marble surface, filled with lemon pepper seasoning blend.
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It requires just three ingredients and is incredibly versatile! You can use it on pasta, mixed into butters, fish, shrimp, chicken, steak, dressings and so much more!

The options are endless, but you don’t want to miss the lemon pepper chicken, lemon pepper salmon, lemon pepper shrimp or lemon pepper sauce I make with this seasoning blend.

Homemade lemon pepper seasoning on a marble countertop.

Cracked black peppercorns are toasted with lemon zest infusing the citrus oils into the pepper. It creates a wonderful aroma and of course incredible flavor.

I love making my own seasonings, they are so much more flavorful than store bought and a lot cheaper! You know everything that goes into them and you always have some handy for when you need dinner on the table in a hurry.

A glass jar on a marble surface, filled with lemon pepper seasoning blend.

If you haven’t tried them yet, be sure to check out my Homemade Taco Seasoning and Blackened Seasoning Blend.

Homemade lemon pepper seasoning close up

Ingredients

  • Lemons – You will need the zest of five lemons for this recipe (which is about three tablespoons).
  • Black Pepper – Use freshly cracked black pepper from a grinder set to coarse. You don’t want super fine ground pepper for this recipe. Thick black pepper flakes add flavor and texture in every bite.
  • Sea Salt – Thick flakes of salt provide a wonderful burst of flavor.
A white bowl on a marble surface, filled with lemon pepper seasoning blend.

Variations

This seasoning is wonderfully bright and zesty. You can make it into more of a herby seasoning by adding in some dried herbs when you mix in the salt. Optional add-ins include:

A white bowl on a marble surface, filled with lemon pepper seasoning blend.

How To Make

  1. Prep – Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine – Mix together the lemon zest and black pepper. Spread it in an even layer on the baking sheet. Homemade lemon pepper seasoning on a gold baking sheet.
  3. Bake – Bake until dry. Homemade lemon pepper seasoning on a gold baking sheet inside an oven.
  4. Finish – Stir in the salt and use or store. Homemade lemon pepper seasoning on a gold baking sheet.
Homemade lemon pepper seasoning on a gold baking sheet.

Optional: Put it in a spice grinder for finer seasoning.

Tips

Serving Suggestions

  • Salmon – Make Lemon Pepper Salmon.
  • Shrimp – Toss shrimp in olive oil and seasoning. Bake, grill or make on the stovetop! Lemon Pepper Shrimp are so quick and easy!
  • Steak – Make steak on the stove or grill coating the pan or grate with oil. Brush steak with melted butter and sprinkle seasoning on both side before cooking.
  • Chicken – It creates a wonderful crust on my Lemon Pepper Chicken and really helps to seal in the juices. Just rub the seasoning onto your meat of choice and cook as normal. You can also add some oil to it and use it as a marinade. You can also use it as a seasoning for Chicken Kabobs.
  • Wings – Combine olive oil and a tablespoon of seasoning and toss wings in it just before frying.
  • Sauce – Lemon Pepper Sauce is an incredible way to make a quick and delicious pasta dish,
  • Salad Dressing – Combine with equal parts oil and balsamic for a delicious vinaigrette.
  • Butter – Blend into softened butter to make a compound for lobster! It’s so amazing and compliments it.
A glass jar on a marble surface, filled with lemon pepper seasoning blend.

How to Store

At Room Temperature – Transfer it to an airtight glass jar and keep it in the cupboard to avoid direct sunlight up to 3 months. It keeps up to 6 months, but will slowly start to lose it’s flavor.

More Seasoning Blends

A glass jar on a marble surface, filled with lemon pepper seasoning blend.
5 from 5 votes

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

This homemade lemon pepper seasoning is made with just 3 ingredients and is crazy easy to make. It's an easy way to add flavor to chicken, fish and marinades and has a long shelf life.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 tablespoons of seasoning
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Ingredients  

  • 5 lemons zested (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 3 tablespoons black pepper crushed or on coarse setting
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt thick flakes preferred

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven or toaster oven to lowest setting. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Combine lemon zest and black pepper.
  • Arrange in a thin layer on a small baking sheet.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes until dry.
  • Stir in salt.

Julie’s Tips

Variations

  • Add Herbs – Basil, Oregano, Italian Seasoning, Thyme, Dill or Cilantro
  • Make it Fine – Put it in a spice grinder for finer seasoning.

To Store

At Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container in a cupboard for up to 3 months.
 
Calories: 9kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1164mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi, I haven’t made it yet but it sounds great and I am so pleased to have found your recipe. Please could you confirm if you add the herb variation before or after baking. Many thanks.