Make Your Own Italian Seasoning

This recipe for an easy homemade Italian seasoning substitute is made with 6 ingredients in less than 5 minutes. Add all of the best Italian flavors to a variety of recipes without having to make a special trip to the grocery store!

This post was originally published in May 2022 and has been updated for content.

Italian seasoning is a dried spice blend frequently used Italian-American recipes. While it doesn't originate in Italy, this versatile blend of dried Italian herbs can add delicious flavor to a variety of your favorite recipes.

This is the best Italian seasoning substitute that uses just a few dried herbs that are probably already in your spice cabinet.

While purchasing it is much easier, making your own Italian seasoning is a great way to customize flavors in your recipes. This homemade recipe also works as a great substitute if you run out and don't want to make a trip to the store.

🧂 How to use Italian seasoning

Use this Italian seasoning recipe to add extra flavor to pasta sauces like hidden veggie pasta sauce or Italian Sunday gravy.

Use it as a homemade pizza seasoning for cast iron pizza or pizza cooked on the grill.

It's a great flavor to add to homemade dressings for both antipasto salad and panzanella salad.

Don't forget to try your homemade seasoning blend in braciole, stromboli, or also Italian beef!

Jump to:

• 🧂 How to use Italian seasoning
• 🌿 Ingredient notes
• 📋 Substitutions and variations
• 🥣 Step by step instructions
• ⭐ Expert tips
• 🥡 Storage instructions
• 🍝 More Italian recipes
• #ScarlatiFamilyKitchen
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

🌿 Ingredient notes

• Basil - Basil is a common ingredient in Italian cuisine. It has a fresh flavor with a slight peppery note, along with hints of anise as well as mint.
• Oregano - Oregano has an earthy, robust flavor used in both Italian and Greek recipes.
• Rosemary - Rosemary is an aromatic herb with an earthy, lemony-pine flavor. It's very popular in Italian cooking and compliments the other earthy herbs.
• Thyme - Thyme is another earthy herb. It has more of a concentrated flavor, with hints of both floral and pepper.
• Sage - Sage has an earthy flavor profile, with notes of mint, pepper, and also lemon.
• Marjoram - Similar to rosemary, Marjoram is a pine-flavored herb with both citrus and floral notes.

📋 Substitutions and variations

The main ingredients in Italian seasoning blends are typically dried herbs. Here are some options to customize your own blend.

• Fresh - Instead of using store-bought dried herbs, you can dry fresh herbs at home to use in your homemade Italian seasoning blend.
• Red Pepper - Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to add a bit of spice.
• Garlic/Onion - Add ½ teaspoon of both garlic powder and onion powder for an extra savory flavor to your Italian seasoning blend.
• Salt - Add ½ teaspoon of kosher salt to enhance the flavor of the seasoning.
• Fennel - Add ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds to a hint of licorice flavor.

🥣 Step by step instructions

First, thoroughly mix all of the dried herbs in a small bowl. Use the blend of herbs immediately or store and use later.

⭐ Expert tips

• To ensure maximum freshness and flavor, use dried herbs that haven't been sitting in your spice rack for a long time.
• Make sure to thoroughly mix the Italian seasoning so the flavors are evenly distributed.

🥡 Storage instructions

Store the Italian seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. This will ensure your seasoning lasts the longest. I use these spice containers (affiliate link), but a mason jar (affiliate link) or other sealed container works as well.

🍝 More Italian recipes

If you loved this homemade Italian seasoning substitute recipe, then check out these other Italian recipes that I know you will love too!

• Creamy Polenta with Parmesan
• Baked Mostaccioli with Ricotta Cheese
• Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup
• Crock Pot Chicken Marsala

📖 Recipe