Ditch the Bottle: Make Your Own Zesty Lemon Pepper Seasoning from Scratch

Welcome back to my From Scratch Era, where we’re breaking up with preservatives, additives, and overpriced tiny bottles of mystery blends—and saying hello to homemade flavor bombs that hit different.

Today’s DIY is one you’ll want to sprinkle on everything: Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning.

I know, I know. You can buy this stuff at any grocery store. But here’s the thing: once you make it from scratch, there’s no going back. It’s brighter, fresher, and has that actual lemony zing the store-bought version dreams about in its sleep.

This blend is perfect for seasoning chicken, shrimp, roasted veggies, or even just jazzing up some popcorn. And the best part? It’s wildly easy.

Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons lemon zest (fresh is best!)

• 1/4 cup freshly ground black pepper (or just regular black pepper)

• 2 tablespoons salt

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°F (or the lowest setting it allows).

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out your lemon zest.

3. Mix in the pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until everything is evenly distributed.

4. Bake for 20–25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the zest is completely dried. Your kitchen will smell amazing.

5. Let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container or spice jar. Store in a cool, dry place.

I made a zesty Lemon Pepper Chicken & Orzo Soup that may be one of my new favorites!

Why Make It From Scratch?

Because we’re not just homemakers—we’re flavor makers. Homemade lemon pepper has zero weird fillers, tastes like actual lemon (imagine that), and lets you control the salt and spice levels to your liking. Plus, it feels kind of magical turning zest and pantry basics into something this good.

Want a secret pro tip? Double the recipe and gift it in little jars. It’s the hostess gift that says “I cook with love… and citrus.”

If you’re ready to kick the store-bought habit and flavor your food like the boss you are, this recipe is your new go-to.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of my From Scratch Era series—I’m showing you just how simple (and satisfying) homemade can be.

Lemon Pepper Chicken & Orzo Soup