Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by Diane Hoffmaster
Over the last few weeks, I have been dehydrating a ton of fresh herbs from my backyard garden. Growing fresh herbs is fairly easy but they don’t last long once you pick them. That means I spend a lot of time drying them during the summer.
I decided to make homemade Italian seasoning this week with a few of the fresh herbs that I have grown. I have so much oregano, basil, and rosemary that I don’t know what I am going to do with it all.
Many classic Italian recipes often call for ‘Italian Seasoning Blend’. Which, of course, I would then have to go out and buy. I realized I had most of the ingredients in my pantry already so I decided to save some money and make it from scratch.
If you have a ton of fresh herbs, consider making this DIY Italian Seasoning! Don’t have any fresh Italian herbs? Learn how to grow your own herb garden!
Table of Contents
What you need to make your own seasoning blends:
If you are starting from fresh herbs, you will need a few things before you get started. Here are my suggestions:
- Get a dehydrator. And don’t skimp and get a super cheap one. You will be using it a LOT. A large drying capacity is helpful.
- A mortar and pestle or herb grinder are very helpful if you want to process the herbs more finely.
- ” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>Glass spice jars make storage easier.
How to Dry Herbs
Check out this video from Planet Natural Garden Supply on how to dry herbs. Starting from fresh herbs when making homemade italian seasoning mix will give it a much fresher flavor!

How to Make Homemade Italian Seasoning
Most of the herb and spice blends on the market today are made with a simple collection of ingredients. Mixed in different combinations, I have tried my hand at making homemade cajun seasoning, an easy ranch dressing mix, and even a tasty nacho popcorn seasoning.
Making a few pantry staples from scratch is a great way to save money. This Homemade Italian Seasoning recipe is simply a blend of a few key Italian spices with a few other simple ingredients. No need to run to the store in an emergency if you have an otherwise well-stocked pantry. Make Italian seasoning from scratch and save yourself time and money!
Recipes using Italian Seasoning
- Italian Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe with Fresh Basil
- Italian Baked Spinach and Egg Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
- Homemade Meatball Sub Recipe
Since Italian recipes are a staple in my house, we will be going through this spice mix rather quickly. If you do make your own Italian seasoning from dried spices, check the expiration dates on the individual spices you use.
The earliest expiration date that you find will be the expiration date you should put on your homemade Italian seasoning. It will only stay fresh as long as the oldest spice in your mix does. Check out Snapguide for more recipes using Italian Seasoning.
How to Use Italian Seasoning for Salad Dressing
So, now you have your DIY Italian seasoning but what do you do with it? You can use it to make your own homemade Italian dressing in must a few minutes! Here is all you need to do:
Combine in a mason jar:
- 1/4 cup of vinegar (white vinegar is okay but I like red wine vinegar, too)
- 2/3 cup good olive oil
- 2 to 3 TBSP dry Italian spice combination
Shake to mix and pour over your salad!
Homemade Italian Seasoning
How to Make Homemade Italian Seasoning

This easy homemade Italian seasoning mix is a simple DIY pantry staple
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons dried parsley
- 3 Tablespoons dried basil
- 3 Tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
- Store in an airtight container and use as needed in recipes.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 4Carbohydrates: 1g
Make Homemade Italian Seasoning!
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