This bold and brightly flavored Lemon Pepper Seasoning is the kick your recipes have been looking for! Made with dried lemon zest mixed with coarsely ground black pepper & additional herbs and spices, it’s one of the zestiest and most fragrant flavor enhancers you’ll keep in your pantry.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are one of our family’s favorite meals. And to have great lemon pepper wings, you have to have an amazing Lemon Pepper Seasoning mix.
What Is Lemon Pepper Seasoning?
This seasoning blend has a bright and crisp lemon scent with that citrus tang as well as the aromatic essence of garlic and onions. Add to that the sharp notes of freshly cracked black pepper and you’ll have a spice blend that will work on any chicken, fish or meat dish.
How To Use Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Grilled Meats: Use it as an excellent dry rub for chicken, fish, shrimp, or other meats before grilling, roasting, or baking.
- Marinades: Incorporate lemon pepper seasoning into marinades for meats, poultry, or seafood to infuse them with citrusy flavor.
- Chicken Wings: Toss chicken wings in lemon pepper seasoning before baking or frying for a zesty twist on classic wings.
- Fish Tacos: Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning on fried fish, then serve in tortillas with shredded cabbage, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing twist on tacos.
Key Elements Of This Recipe
- Lemon Zest: Use fresh lemons and hand grate the zest for maximum flavor
- Whole Peppercorn: Freshly grind whole peppercorn to release the flavor
- Coarse Salt: To uplevel and enhance the flavor of the lemon zest
The Ingredients for Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- 8 Lemons (peels)
- 1 teaspoon Whole Peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon Coarse Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Onion
The Equipment Needed
- Krups One-Touch Coffee and Spice Grinder
- Cheese Grater
- Baking Tray
- Parchment Paper
How To Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning
In this recipe, we’ll be grinding our ingredients ourselves with the help of a spice grinder. If you don’t have a spice grinder, I’d recommend this one – the Krups One-Touch Coffee and Spice Grinder. It’s compact, affordable and definitely has enough horsepower to make this spice blend and any other spice/coffee grinding task a breeze.
Making Your Own Dried Lemon Zest
Start by preheating your oven to 180°F.
Next, wash & dry your lemons.
Then, using a cheese grater, grate the outer lemon peel of the 8 lemons until you have nice thin shavings.
Pro Tip: Make sure you avoid grating the white pith of the lemon, as it is bitter and not fragrant.
Lay your thin shavings of lemon peel onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Then pop the tray in to the oven and let the peels dehydrate for about 20-30 minutes or until they are fully dry.
Afterwards, remove from the oven, let them cool, ensuring that all shavings are fully dry.
Grinding Your Seasoning Ingredients
In your spice grinder, place your dried lemon zest, whole peppercorns, salt, dried garlic and dried onion.
Pulse your spice grinder until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and you achieve a coarsely ground powder.
Taste the seasoning and add/adjust any of the ingredient amounts to your desire.
Storing Your Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Place your lemon pepper seasoning in an air tight jar – and place it in a cool, dry place. It should last for up to 6 months stored this way.
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Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Equipment
- 1 Krups One-Touch Spice Grinder
- 1 Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 8 Lemons, (peels)
- 1 teaspoon Whole Peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon Coarse Salt
- 1 teaspoon Dried Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dried Onion
Instructions
How To Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- In this recipe, we'll be grinding our ingredients ourselves with the help of a spice grinder. If you don't have a spice grinder, I'd recommend this one – the Krups One-Touch Coffee and Spice Grinder. It's compact, affordable and definitely has enough horsepower to make this spice blend and any other spice/coffee grinding task a breeze.
Making Your Own Dried Lemon Zest
- Start by preheating your oven to 180°F.
- Next, wash & dry your lemons.
- Then, using a cheese grater, grate the outer lemon peel of the 8 lemons until you have nice thin shavings.
- Pro Tip: Make sure you avoid grating the white pith of the lemon, as it is bitter and not fragrant.
- Lay your thin shavings of lemon peel onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Then pop the tray in to the oven and let the peels dehydrate for about 20-30 minutes or until they are fully dry.
- Afterwards, remove from the oven, let them cool, ensuring that all shavings are fully dry.
Grinding Your Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- In your spice grinder, place your dried lemon zest, whole peppercorns, salt, dried garlic and dried onion.
- Pulse your spice grinder until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and you achieve a coarsely ground powder.
- Taste the seasoning and add/adjust any of the ingredient amounts to your desire.
Storing Your Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Place your lemon pepper seasoning in an air tight jar – and place it in a cool, dry place. It should last for up to 6 months stored this way.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is just an estimate derived by an online calculation tool.
FAQ
What is lemon pepper made of?
It’s made from dried lemon zest, whole peppercorns, salt, dried garlic and dried onion – blended into a coarse spice mix.
Why is lemon pepper seasoning so good?
It has a bright and crisp lemon scent with that citrus tang as well as the aromatic essence of garlic and onions. Also add to that, the sharp notes of freshly cracked black pepper and you’ll have a spice blend that will work on any chicken, fish or meat dish.
Derek
Awesome rub – I make my own using this recipe every time now
Alexandra
I love the flavours of this delicious seasoning – it comes together quickly and can be used in many ways. I used some on some chicken wings, and tomorrow I am grilling salmon and will use it then too. So good!
Deborah
You had me at lemon pepper. Put this on fried breaded tofu. Delicious.
Nora
Hubby tried your seasoning straight away and he was delighted! We all were! Thank you for the recipe!
Oscar
I usually buy lemon pepper seasoning but decided to try making my own. This recipe is even better than store bought, I love them on my chicken wings. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
nancy
you had be at fresh lemon zest! What a difference it makes compared to store bought!
Nicole
Just ran out of this seasoning. Definitely trying this one.
Steven
Nice – love this seasoning. Lemon flavor really shines thru!