• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Soup, Stew & Chili
    • Dinner Recipes
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • One Pot Recipes
    • Cuisine / Region
      • American
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dips, Dressings, and Salsa
    • Slow Cooker
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Holiday
  • ABOUT
    • TKG Featured In
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USE
  • SHOP

The Kitchen Girl logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Soup, Stew & Chili
    • Dinner Recipes
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • One Pot Recipes
    • Cuisine / Region
      • American
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dips, Dressings, and Salsa
    • Slow Cooker
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Holiday
  • ABOUT
    • TKG Featured In
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USE
  • SHOP
×

Home » Recipes » Italian Recipes

by Traci · Published: 10/14/2022 · Updated: 10/14/2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Easy Italian Seasoning Recipe

56 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email recipe
Jump To Recipe
5 from 7 votes
5 minutes

Make a savory Italian seasoning substitute with only 5 dried herbs straight from your spice rack. Use this homemade Italian seasoning in pasta, soups, sauces, and marinades just like you would use any store-bought version.

Italian seasoning on metal scoop next to jar of seasoning
Table of Contents hide
1) What is Italian seasoning?
2) Why we love this recipe
3) What's in Italian seasoning?
4) How to make this recipe
5) Uses for Italian seasoning
6) Recipe variations
7) Frequently asked questions
8) Easy Italian Seasoning Recipe

What is Italian seasoning?

Italian seasoning is a dried herb blend used for flavoring Italian-inspired recipes. It's a common grocery item, but it's expensive – and sometimes we run out unexpectedly, which is why we need a substitute. Surprisingly, dried Italian seasoning is not common to authentic Italian kitchens, but it is a pantry staple in the American kitchen. So, it pays to know how to make Italian seasoning the easy way.

Why we love this recipe

This simple substitute for Italian seasoning is equally as flavorful as any store-bought version.

Utilize what you have on hand - When you make this seasoning mix from your spice rack, you'll likely cycle through individual herbs faster. As a result, your dried herbs won't suffer the loss of flavor and potency that naturally happens from long-term lack of use.

Save money - We know that packaged seasoning blends are expensive. So, every time you make this blend from your dried herb base, you'll get a return on those purchases.

No sugar and no salt in this recipe - These often dilute the quality and value of a store-bought Italian herb seasoning blend. You can easily add these ingredients to your homemade version, if desired.

Homemade Italian seasoning is customizable with endless ingredient combinations. I've included several suggestions in the recipe footnotes.

It's always more convenient to open only one jar of homemade Italian seasoning. Also, you won't find yourself guessing which dried herbs and quantities are needed.

Italian seasoning in glass jar and metal scoop

What's in Italian seasoning?

Parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary are combined to make this Italian seasoning substitute equally as good as any store-bought version. This simple blend adds savory and earthy flavors with a hint of spice and sweetness to all your foods. My herb notes, sourced here, should give you an idea of why we love and rely on Italian seasoning so much.

oregano - This herb, along with marjoram, belongs to the mint family. Both are often used interchangeably, but oregano is less sweet with more intense flavor.

thyme - Garden thyme is the most commonly used herb in this family. It has a minty flavor and a subtle lemon aroma.

parsley - This brings a slight pepper flavor and bitterness to the seasoning blend, which is necessary for balancing flavors.

basil - One of the most common Italian herbs and known for its fragrant, peppery, and sweet flavors.

rosemary - This is another mint family herb that adds a bold piney flavor to everything it touches.

dried herbs for Italian seasoning in labeled jars and ramekins

How to make this recipe

To make Italian seasoning, it's as easy as combining dried herbs in a mixing bowl or airtight storage container. You can store the seasoning for up to 3 months in a cool, dry place.

spices for Italian seasoning in glass mixing bowl
Italian seasoning in glass mixing bowl with spoon

Pro tip: Create a finer texture of this Italian herb seasoning by grinding the mixture in a mortar and pestle or your preferred grinder. I also do this with my taco seasoning recipe because grinding herbs and spices releases flavors in a way that stirring doesn't.

Italian seasoning is ground with mortar and pestle
spoon lifts Italian seasoning from glass jar

Uses for Italian seasoning

You won’t find a more versatile seasoning than this Italian herb blend. Here are my favorite ways to use it.

Soups: Minestrone Soup, Lasagna Soup, Homemade Vegetable Soup, White Bean and Kale Soup, Italian Sausage Soup, Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup

Pasta and Pizza: Instant Pot Spaghetti, Penne Alla Vodka with Chicken, Pepperoni Tortilla Pizza

Sides: Season Air Fryer Mushrooms, Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, and Marinated Mushrooms Recipe

Sauces: Homemade Tomato Sauce, Marinara Sauce Recipe

Other: Use as a seasoning for Air Fryer Chicken seasoning, homemade Croutons Recipe, garlic bread, bread crumbs, or Italian vinaigrette.

Recipe variations

Sage, marjoram, and savory will enhance the bold flavor of this blend, however these herbs are not required to make a great seasoning.

You can really personalize this seasoning mix by adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and red chili flakes. The combinations are endless – I've included suggested amounts in the recipe footnotes below.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Italian seasoning alternative?

If you don't have all five dried herbs to make this Italian seasoning substitute, use any combination such as thyme and oregano, basil and thyme, or parsley and oregano, etc. – any combination will work!

Can I make Italian seasoning with fresh herbs?

Yes! Use any combination of the recommended herbs for this recipe in fresh form and in larger quantities. This will also deliver a more authentic Italian cooking experience.

Can I dry my own herbs for this recipe?

Yes. You can dry or dehydrate any fresh herbs to make this recipe. Once the herbs have completely dried, strip the leaves from the stems and follow the recipe accordingly.

Italian seasoning on metal scoop next to jar of seasoning

Easy Italian Seasoning Recipe

Make a savory Italian seasoning substitute with only 5 dried herbs straight from your spice rack. Use homemade Italian seasoning in pasta, soups, sauces, and marinades.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 5 tablespoons
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

INGREDIENTS
 

  • 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Basil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Dried Rosemary

Instructions
 

  • Combine OREGANO, THYME, PARSLEY, BASIL, and ROSEMARY in a mixing bowl or storage container.
    See recipe footnotes for additional herb options.
  • Store in an airtight container up to 3 months.
  • Use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to create a finer seasoning blend.
Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Traci's Recipe Notes

Customize the Italian seasoning mix with any (or all) of these herbs and spices!
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Sage
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Savory
  • ½ teaspoon Granulated Garlic
  • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Red Chili Flakes

NUTRITION

Serving: 1teaspoon | Calories: 3kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

Easy FREE recipes to your inbox weeklyJoin The Kitchen Girl community!

More Italian Recipes

  • How To Make a Simple Charcuterie Board
  • Christmas Charcuterie Board
  • Lasagna Soup
  • Italian White Bean and Kale Soup
56 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email recipe

Reader Interactions

We love recipe feedback... Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Kathleen says

    October 15, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    5 stars
    Big fan of homemade spice blends. Will be adding this simple Italian blend to my spice rack ASAP!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      October 15, 2022 at 7:45 pm

      Yayy! So glad to hear it 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!

  2. Anjali says

    October 15, 2022 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    This italian seasoning blend was easy to make, so rich in flavor and so much better than store bought!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the feedback 🙂

  3. Gina Abernathy says

    October 15, 2022 at 11:37 am

    5 stars
    Great way to make Italian Seasoning and perfect when you're in a pinch.

    Reply
    • Traci says

      October 15, 2022 at 2:27 pm

      Yay! Glad you're enjoying it 🙂 Thanks so much for the feedback!

  4. Nancy says

    October 15, 2022 at 9:48 am

    5 stars
    I just ran out of Italian seasoning at home but so happy to know if only takes a few ingredients to replicate. Thank goodness I had it all already. Thanks

    Reply
    • Traci says

      October 15, 2022 at 2:27 pm

      Yayy! That's exactly why I created this recipe because it kept happening to me LOL. Thanks for the feedback! 🙂

  5. Caitlin says

    October 15, 2022 at 9:39 am

    5 stars
    Such a delicious recipe, and so much better than store bought. Love it!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      October 15, 2022 at 2:26 pm

      Thank youu! I couldn't agree more 🙂 I appreciate the feedback!

  6. JB says

    October 14, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    We run out of Italian seasoning more frequently than any other herbs in our spice rack and this substitute is a life saver. Even when we only have 3 out of 5 ingredients, it totally works. Thanks for another winner!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      October 14, 2022 at 7:39 pm

      Yesss! No statement is more true about the running out part, which is exactly why I created this substitute LOL. I'm glad you love it as much as I do 🙂

Primary Sidebar

Hello from The Kitchen Girl

The Kitchen Girl standing in a white kitchen with brown accents
Hi! I'm Traci and I'm sharing my easy recipes with everyday ingredients, simple instructions, and ALL the flavor. Read more about me.

Game Day Recipes

Delicious Super Bowl recipes!

  • Easy Guacamole Recipe
  • Honey Hot Wings
  • Hot Crab Dip Recipe
  • 7 Layer Dip
  • Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos)

Healthy Recipe Favorites

  • Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad
  • Lentil Chili
  • Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing
  • Juicy Broiled Salmon Recipe

Easy Chicken Dinners

  • Easy Baked Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)
  • Instant Pot Whole Chicken
  • Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili
  • Air Fryer Chicken Legs
  • Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
  • Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Featured Recipes

Easy Dinner Recipes
Simple Charcuterie Board
Baked Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Chilean Sea Bass
Beef Stroganoff
Reuben Sandwich
Easy Guacamole Recipe
Minestrone Soup
Grilled Salmon Recipe
Instant Pot Brown Rice
Easy Crostini Recipe
Baked Chicken Legs
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Tomato Soup Recipe
Instant Pot Soup Recipes
French Bread Recipe
Zuppa Toscana
Best Hummus Recipe
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

©2023 The Kitchen Girl. All Rights Reserved. PRIVACY POLICY