Italian Seasoning
On February 26, 2025
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This Italian Seasoning gives your chicken, meatballs, and even veggies an herby depth, with parsley, rosemary, oregano, and red pepper flakes
Homemade Italian Seasoning
Having a solid Italian seasoning blend in your spice cabinet is a game-changer. This homemade mix brings together all the classic dried herbs and spices that define Italian flavors, and it’s incredibly easy to make. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a batch in minutes. The best part is, It’s super versatile. Use it to season chicken, sprinkle over roasted potatoes, stir into spaghetti sauce, or mix into meatballs for a pop of savory, herby goodness.
Plus, making your own Italian seasoning means you get to control the balance of flavors, ensuring every dish tastes just the way you like it. Store-bought blends can be hit or miss, but when you make it yourself, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. If you’re ready to add this seasoning staple to your arsenal, let’s get started.
What is Italian seasoning?
Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs and spices commonly used in Italian-American cooking. Oddly enough, this mix didn’t originate in Italy. It was actually created in the United States as a convenient way to capture the essence of Italian flavors in one easy-to-use blend.
Traditional Italian dishes rely on fresh herbs, but this seasoning mix brings together dried versions of those same ingredients, making it perfect for quick meals. A good Italian seasoning blend typically includes oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and parsley, along with a hint of red pepper flakes for a touch of warmth.
Ingredients for this Recipe
This recipe keeps things simple with a mix of classic dried herbs and spices that you likely already have in your pantry. Here’s what each ingredient brings to the blend:
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley: Mild, fresh, slightly peppery flavor.
- 1½ teaspoons dried rosemary: Woody and fragrant with a pine-like aroma.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Bold and slightly bitter, a staple in Italian cooking.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil: Sweet and slightly minty, balances the blend.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds savory depth and a bit of umami.
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves: Earthy and slightly floral.
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes: Brings subtle heat (add more for a spicier mix.)
How to Make Italian Seasoning
Now that you know what’s inside, let’s get to mixing. Here’s how easy it is to whip up your own Italian seasoning blend at home.
- Make the Italian Seasoning. In a small bowl, combine all the dried herbs and spices. If you have a mortar and pestle, give everything a quick grind. You want to break up the rosemary a bit before using to release the oils.
- Use or store for later. Use your seasoning immediately to add flavor to meats, pasta sauces, soups, and more. If you’re making extra, store it in an airtight container or glass spice jar for up to six months. And remember, want to grind your blend until you’re ready to use it.
Ways to Use Italian Seasoning
This seasoning mix is a kitchen workhorse, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Sprinkle it over pizza, stir it into pasta sauces, or mix it with olive oil and vinegar for a quick Italian dressing (like the one in this pasta salad). It’s fantastic in homemade meatballs, grilled vegetables, and even these Smoked Shotgun Shells. Try adding a dash to you next batch of smoked tomato soup if you want to experience a new, delicious depth of flavor.
Try This
Next time you fire up the grill, rub this seasoning onto your chicken breasts when making some Grilled Bruschetta Chicken. I want to know how it turns out, so tell me about it in the comments below! You can also share some photos to my Facebook and Instagram pages so we can all get hungry and inspired.
Storage and Shelf Life
To keep your Italian seasoning fresh, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Your spice cabinet or pantry is perfect. For the best flavor, use it within six months. Remember, you want to wait to grind it until you’re ready to use it. If the seasoning starts losing its punch, refresh it by adding a pinch of freshly crushed dried herbs.
Here’s my favorite spice jar set so you can keep all your homemade spices fresh and organized.
More Seasoning Recipes
If you love making your own spice blends, I’ve got plenty more for you to try. Whether you’re looking for bold BBQ rubs, smoky seasonings, or all-purpose spice mixes, I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my favorites to get your spice rack started off right:
Check out the Hey Grill Hey App for hundreds of easy recipes to use with your seasoning. I’ve also got a whole Pitmaster class dedicated to help you make your own seasonings, rubs, and sauces in The Grill Squad.
Simple Italian Seasoning Recipe
Follow the recipe card to make this Italian Seasoning, and don’t forget to give it a 5-star review. I hope you use this flavorful blend to make something incredible so you can feed the people you love.
Italian Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Make the Italian Seasoning. Combine all the ingredients for your seasoning in a small bowl or mortar, then mix with a pestle. You can store the ingredients together, but wait to grind the seasoning until you’re ready to use it. This way the oils release when you’re cooking.1 Tablespoon dried parsley, 1 ½ teaspoons dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Use or store for later. Use your seasoning immediately on meatballs, lasagna, sausages, and more. Store any unused seasoning in a glass spice jar for up to 6 months for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
