Italian Seasoning

Here’s how to make Italian seasoning! This tasty homemade mix is easy to make and perfect for adding big flavor to vegetables, fish, dips, and more.

There are so many foods that are made more perfect with Italian seasoning! If you love to cook, you’ve probably often used this blend of Mediterranean herbs. Did you know you can make homemade Italian seasoning? It’s a mix of 5 herbs and comes together in minutes. It’s a great way to use up odds and ends from your spice collection, and it makes lovely DIY gifts too. Use it to season fish and veggies, or simply sprinkle on olive oil and use as a dip for bread. Here’s how to make it!

How to make Italian seasoning

Italian seasoning isn’t used in Italian cuisine! There’s no official “definition” of it, either. It’s a spice blend that was created as a convenience for cooks to quickly add Mediterranean flair to dishes. Most mixes you’ll find at the store contain similar herbs: oregano, basil, and thyme being the heavy hitters.

For this recipe, we wanted to stay very simple, using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. To make Italian seasoning, you’ll mix together the following herbs:

• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Dried thyme (not ground)
• Dried sage
• Dried rosemary

A few notes

Dried thyme is sold two ways: in large leaves and finely ground. Make sure to use the whole leaf variety for this recipe!

You’ll also notice that unlike many seasoning blends, Italian seasoning does not contain salt. Keep this in mind when you’re using it to season food: it will need a little added salt for the flavor to pop.

How long to store homemade Italian seasoning

You can store your homemade Italian seasoning mix in an airtight container for 6 months to 1 year. Of course, it’s best when it’s the freshest! Spices last in a cool, dry place for 8 months to 1 year. You can use this spice blend to add new life to spices that you’ve had for a while.

Need spice organization tips? If your spice cabinet is overcrowded (like ours!), go to How to Organize Your Spices…the Minimalist Way.

Ways to use Italian seasoning

Italian seasoning can be used on almost anything! There’s not much that’s not better with a sprinkle of it. Here are a few ideas for where to start:

1. In olive oil as a dip: Sprinkle into olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and use to dip bread.
2. Crackers or bread: Add to the dough of homemade crackers or flatbread.
3. Pizza: Sprinkle on cheese pizza.
4. White beans: Drizzle white beans with olive oil and add a few shakes.
5. Sauteed veggies: Both sauteed broccoli and lemon herb cauliflower use this tasty seasoning.
6. Roasted veggies: This easy sheet pan dinner features Old Bay and Italian seasoning.
7. Shrimp: Add a sprinkle on grilled shrimp, baked shrimp, or sauteed shrimp.
8. Salmon: Try baked salmon or cedar plank salmon plus a sprinkle and a squeeze of lemon.
9. Potato Wedges: These Parmesan potato wedges would be even tastier with a shake or two.
10. Salad Dressing: Try our Italian dressing or Greek salad dressing and mix in Italian seasoning to taste.

This recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, plant based, dairy free, naturally sweet, refined sugar free, low carb, and keto.

Print

More seasoning blends

Making DIY seasoning mixes at home is so easy! They taste incredible—much better than storebought—and are fun gifts, too. Try all our seasoning blends (listed by style):

• Mexican: Fajita Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, Fish Taco Seasoning
• Mediterranean: Greek Seasoning, Herbes de Provence
• Cajun: Cajun Seasoning, Blackened Seasoning
• American: Old Bay Seasoning, Chili Seasoning, Everything Bagel Seasoning, Ranch Seasoning
• All Purpose: Seasoned Salt, Seafood Seasoning, Salmon Seasoning