Try this simple and easy recipe for making your own blend of Italian seasoning. In fact, this is the only Italian seasoning blend I use, no more commercial brands! All you need are equal parts of basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Once mixed, store the seasoning in a sealed container for up to a year. Use the seasoning in your favorite pasta dishes, sauces, or for topping your pizzas. I love to add it to my regular bread machine sandwich bread. Try it in your casseroles, soups, salads, sandwiches, chili, and dips. Why not sprinkle it on different meats and veggies prior to roasting?
What is Italian Seasoning? Surprise! Not Italian!
Italian Seasoning Origins
Ok, you got me. The individual herbs in Italian seasoning are typical herbs used in Italian cuisine in Italy. The shocker, however, is they are usually not combined to create an herb mix. Americans created that notion! Much of Italian cuisine only uses one or two herbs (fresh) at a time in cooking. Many pasta dishes use fresh parsley alone as the main herb in the dish.
Italian Seasoning Variations
Over the years of cooking and baking, I’ve learned that most of the time if you want something done to your preference, do it yourself. That goes for mixing your own spice blends. I rarely, if ever, buy premixed spice blends anymore. I know what flavors I like and what I look for in a spice blend recipe. Now, I create my own using my preferred herbs and heat tolerance. Italian seasoning can be a blend of any variation of traditional Italian herbs. Aside from the ones I used in this blog post recipe, you may find dried parsley and even garlic powder in some of those commercial brands.
My Italian Seasoning Inspiration
I admit, Italian seasoning is my favorite herb blend. It is the easiest herb mixture you can make since it uses equal parts of several herbs. I use it almost daily in my soups and salads, on roasted veggies and grilled cheese sandwiches, and in my bread machine sandwich bread. About a decade ago, when I started making my own taco seasoning blend, I thought…”Hmm, if I can make my own taco seasoning blend, what about all of those other common seasoning blends?” After learning about Italian seasoning and what it includes, I decided to make my own with the ingredients I like. In fact, there are some Italian seasoning blends on the market that don’t quite float my boat. Problem solved! Now, I make it using my preferred ingredients.
Italian Seasoning Ingredients
Making Italian seasoning is as easy as mixing equal parts of your favorite dried herbs. This recipe includes basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Boom and done! I use these individual herbs for many other recipes, so I always keep these specific ones on hand in my pantry.
Combine the Ingredients
In a small bowl, add 2 teaspoons (2 grams) of each dried herb. You’ll need 2 teaspoons (2 grams) of dried basil, 2 teaspoons (2 grams) of dried oregano, 2 teaspoons (2 grams) of dried marjoram, 2 teaspoons (2 grams) of dried rosemary, 2 teaspoons (2 grams) of dried sage, and 2 teaspoons (2 grams) of dried thyme. Rub each of the dried herbs between your fingers to crush prior to adding to the bowl. Give the mix a good stir with a spoon until well combined. Taste the mixture and increase slightly any preferred herb. This recipe makes ¼ cup which is enough fill a small spice jar.
Final Product!
Can you pick out any of the individual herbs? The individual flakes all have different shapes and textures. I think the rosemary is the most defined since it is relatively long and skinny like tiny twigs. The rubbed sage has a little “furry” look to it. The thyme leaves are thinner and a little greener than the rosemary.
Storing Italian Seasoning
Store the Italian seasoning mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to year. Keep in mind that the seasoning mix should keep as long as the expiration dates on the individual seasoning packages or bottles. Thus, the newer and fresher the individual seasonings, the longer the mix will keep.
TIP: Stir the mixture well before adding it to a dish, particularly after the mixture has settled.
Usage Suggestions
Use homemade Italian seasoning as you would any commercial version. Flavor your favorite meat and vegetable Italian dishes like pastas, pizzas, and flatbreads. Simmer it in your favorite tomato or cheese sauces. Add it to soups, stews, chilis, and casseroles for an herbaceous hit. Sprinkle it over your salads, sandwiches, and the cheese of your grilled cheese sandwich. Rub it on meat and vegetables before grilling or roasting. I also like it in bean dips or white bean hummus in place of cumin. It’s great for topping your homemade unbaked breads, in the recipe of your bread machine bread, and on cheesy garlic bread prior to baking. It’s so versatile!
Buttery Herb Sauce Suggestion
Here’s a quick and simple way to add flavor and indulgence to simple cooked vegetables. Melt 113 grams (1 stick) of salted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the Italian seasoning mix. Allow the herbs to bloom in the melted butter over low heat for about 5 minutes. Pour the buttery herb sauce over 1-2 pounds of diced or mashed cooked potatoes or other cooked vegetable like cooked fresh corn. Stir and taste adding additional seasoning, salt, and pepper as desired. Serve while hot.
Final Thoughts
The individual components of this seasoning blend are commonly found in most pantries. There is a nice mix of flavors, but you could certainly add more if that’s your preference. This herb blend is a good seasoning blend that adds plenty of flavor to your favorite Italian dishes or any dish where you want herbs to shine.
Check out my short YouTube video on making this Italian herb blend seasoning. “Italian Herb Seasoning Blend: Add this Equal-Part Mix of 6 Herbs to Season your Favorite Dishes”
Italian Herb Seasoning Blend: 6 Simple Dried Herbs in Equal Parts
Ingredients
- 2 tsp (2 g) dried basil
- 2 tsp (2 g) dried oregano
- 2 tsp (2 g) dried marjoram
- 2 tsp (2 g) dried crushed rosemary
- 2 tsp (2 g) dried sage
- 2 tsp (2 g) dried thyme
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add all the ingredients. Rub each ingredient between your fingers to crush prior to adding it to the bowl. Mix with a spoon until well combined. Taste the mixture and increase slightly any preferred spice or herb.TIP: Stir or shake the mixture well before adding it to a dish particularly after the mixture has settled.
Video
Notes
You might be interested in some of these other recipes for homemade spice blends and mixes.
Ranch Dressing & Seasoning Mix
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