Home » Resources » Pantry » Homemade Italian Spices

Homemade Italian Spices

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Learn how to make homemade Italian spices that bring delicious flavors to all your favorite dishes. This simple blend of Italian herbs and spices adds a classic touch to pasta, pizza, or sauce. With this homemade Italian seasoning, you’ll have a fresh and tasty mix ready to use anytime.

Wooden spoons arranged in a circle, each holding different dried herbs and spices on a weathered white wooden surface.
Homemade Italian Spices. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

What I love about homemade Italian spices is how fresh and versatile they are. It’s amazing to have a blend of herbs and spices ready for any dish I make. The flavors come together perfectly, making every meal taste special without extra effort.

Subscribe home page banner
Subscribe

Importance of Choosing the Right Seasoning Blend

The right seasoning blend can make or break a dish, especially in Italian cooking. A balanced mix of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary creates the perfect base for everything from sauces to marinades. You can secure freshness and skip any unnecessary additives or preservatives by making it yourself.

Homemade Italian Seasoning

Homemade Italian seasoning is a kitchen game-changer for anyone who loves cooking. It’s not just about convenience but flavor, quality, and flexibility. Store-bought seasoning can sit on shelves for months or longer. By making it yourself, you use fresh, dried herbs that retain their aroma and taste.

Many pre-made seasonings include fillers, preservatives, or extra salt. A homemade blend is pure and clean—perfect for clean eating. With a homemade seasoning blend, you’re always ready to add that classic Italian flavor to any dish, from pasta and sausage to roasted vegetables or ground chicken.

Wooden spoons with various dried herbs and spices arranged on a white wooden surface.
Dried herbs and spices arranged on a white wooden surface.

Using Italian Seasoning in Dishes

This Italian seasoning recipe is incredibly flexible and works wonders in various recipes. Sprinkle it over roasted vegetables, season chicken nuggets or seafood, or mix it into your tomato sauces. It’s also fantastic as a bread seasoning or for making homemade salad dressings.

When you’ve got a jar of homemade Italian seasoning ready, you’re always just a pinch away from transforming simple dishes into something special. Keep it handy for any recipe for a warm, herby Italian flair.

Kitchen Gadgets:

  • Mason Jar: This is perfect for storing your homemade Italian seasoning. It keeps the blend airtight and fresh for months.
  • Spoon: Essential for measuring and mixing your herbs evenly before storing them in the jar.

Ingredients:

  • Basil: The sweet and slightly peppery base for most Italian dishes. Make sure it’s dried for the best results.
  • Oregano: A must-have herb that adds an earthy and slightly bitter taste, bringing depth to the seasoning.
  • Rosemary: Its piney, aromatic flavor pairs wonderfully with roasted dishes and hearty sauces. Use sparingly, as it can overpower the blend.
  • Marjoram: Similar to oregano but milder and sweeter. It balances out stronger flavors in the mix.
  • Thyme: Adds a subtle, warm, and slightly minty undertone to the seasoning.
  • Dry Garlic: Granulated or powdered garlic gives the blend its savory kick, which is ideal for improving marinades and sauces.
  • Onion Powder: Made from onion flakes, it adds a mild sweetness to the seasoning.
  • Dry Chili: Great for adding a little heat to your dishes. Adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR ITALIAN SPICES

First Step: Prepare Herbs and Spices

Gather all your dried herbs and spices, ensuring they are fresh and of good quality. Measure each ingredient according to your preferred blend ratio to create a balanced flavor. Keep the herbs dry to maintain the freshness and shelf life of your seasoning.

Assorted Italian spices including thyme, dry garlic, marjoram, rosemary, oregano, basil, onion powder, and dry chili arranged in wooden spoons around a small glass bowl.
Italian Spices Ingredients.

Second Step: Add Everything into the Jar

Take a clean mason jar and carefully add all the prepared herbs and spices. Layering them can be fun, allowing you to see the mix before combining it. Ensure the jar has enough room to shake and mix everything thoroughly.

Hands mixing spices in a jar with various herbs and spices arranged around, including red peppers, dried herbs, and wooden spoons. Four-step process on a light wooden surface.
Hands mixing spices in a jar.

Third Step: Combine Properly

Seal the mason jar tightly and shake it well until all the herbs and spices are evenly distributed. If needed, stir it with a spoon to break up any clumps. It is ready to use whenever you need a burst of Italian flavor.

Hands mix herbs in a jar on a wooden surface; nearby are dried chili peppers and fresh herbs.
Hands mix herbs in a jar on a wooden surface.

TRICKS AND TIPS:

  • Use fresh herbs: Dried herbs are best when fresh and have vibrant color and aroma. Check the expiration dates before using them, or dry your own.
  • Adjust the blend: Feel free to tweak the ratios to suit your taste. Add red pepper flakes if you love heat, sage for a slightly sweet, grassy taste or extra garlic for a bold kick.
  • Mix small batches: Homemade spice blends stay fresh longer when made in small quantities. This way, you can always have a fragrant mix on hand.
Wooden spoons arranged in a circle, each holding different dried herbs and spices on a white wooden surface.
Wooden spoons holding different dried herbs and spices.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What to Serve With Italian Spices?

Italian spices are perfect for adding flavor to so many dishes, and they pair beautifully with a variety of recipes. Sprinkle them on vegetable soup for extra flavor, or mix them into BBQ sauce to create the perfect base. You can even use them to season chicken roll ups for a flavorful and easy protein option.

How Do I Store Italian Spices?

Store your Italian spice blend in an airtight container, like a mason jar, to keep it fresh. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, such as a pantry or cupboard. Proper storage will ensure the flavors remain potent for up to six months.

Can I Freeze Italian Spices?

Yes, you can freeze Italian spices to extend their freshness, but it’s not always necessary. If you choose to freeze them, use a tightly sealed container to prevent moisture from affecting the blend. Allow the spices to come to room temperature before opening the container to avoid condensation.

Wooden spoons with various dried herbs and spices arranged on a white wooden surface. A dried chili is in the foreground.
Wooden spoons with various dried herbs and spices.

More Clean Eating Recipes

Here are some recipes to inspire your clean eating journey. Brioche french toast casserole is an excellent choice for breakfast or brunch. There is bundt cake, a classic, elegant dessert with a beautiful shape and often a moist, flavorful texture.

Rhubarb dump cake is perfect to serve with our homemade cranberry juice or agua de Jamaica iced tea. These are packed with flavor and offer a variety of textures and tastes that complement each other beautifully.

Pin For Later

Wooden spoons filled with various dried spices are arranged on a rustic surface. Text reads: "Easy Italian Spices Recipe.
Wooden spoons filled with various dried spices.

Need Support or have Questions? Join our Free Facebook Group.

Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Flipboard, or YouTube.

For weekly New Recipes and a FREE E-Book get into our NEWSLETTER.

Full Recipe With a Printable Version

I would be grateful if you could give us a 5-star rating.

Wooden spoons arranged in a circle on a white wooden surface, each containing different dried herbs and spices.

Homemade Italian Spices

Zuzana Paar
No ratings yet
Learn how to make homemade Italian spices that bring delicious flavors to all your favorite dishes. This simple blend of Italian herbs and spices adds a classic touch to pasta, pizza, or sauce. With this homemade Italian seasoning, you’ll have a fresh and tasty mix ready to use anytime.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Pantry, Sauces and Spices
Cuisine American, International, Italian
Servings 10 Portions
Calories 11 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”vOF2SWHI” upload-date=”2025-01-19T11:11:43+00:00″ name=”Italian Spices YTV.mp4″ description=”Learn how to make homemade Italian spices that bring delicious flavors to all your favorite dishes. This simple blend of Italian herbs and spices adds a classic touch to pasta, pizza, or sauce. With this homemade Italian seasoning, you’ll have a fresh and tasty mix ready to use anytime.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Instructions
 

  • Gather all your dried herbs and spices, ensuring they are fresh and of good quality. Measure each ingredient according to your preferred blend ratio to create a balanced flavor. Keep the herbs dry to maintain the freshness and shelf life of your seasoning.
  • Take a clean mason jar and carefully add all the prepared herbs and spices. Layering them can be fun, allowing you to see the mix before combining it. Ensure the jar has enough room to shake and mix everything thoroughly.
  • Seal the mason jar tightly and shake it well until all the herbs and spices are evenly distributed. If needed, stir it with a spoon to break up any clumps. It is ready to use whenever you need a burst of Italian flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs: Dried herbs are best when fresh and have vibrant color and aroma. Check the expiration dates before using them, or dry your own.
  • Adjust the blend: Feel free to tweak the ratios to suit your taste. Add red pepper flakes if you love heat, sage for a slightly sweet, grassy taste or extra garlic for a bold kick.
  • Mix small batches: Homemade spice blends stay fresh longer when made in small quantities. This way, you can always have a fragrant mix on hand.

Nutrition

Serving: 1PortionCalories: 11kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 271IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More spices and blends

Add a little extra flavor with these spices and blends. It’s an easy way to make any meal taste better.

Sharing is caring!

By Zuzana Paar on January 19th, 2025
Photo of author

About Zuzana Paar

Zuzana is the creative force and mastermind behind this scrumptious clean eating heaven. She will guide you on this delicious journey as a content creator, recipe developer, food writer, movie maker, blogger, and photographer. With her diverse skills she is dedicated to sharing delicious, healthy recipes and helpful tips with readers.

More Posts by this author.

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating