Tasty Tweaks: 5 BEST Substitutes for Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Lemon pepper seasoning is basically the fairy dust of the kitchen, right?

It adds that zesty, zingy kick to pretty much anything.

But hey, what if you’re fresh out, or just looking to shake things up a bit?

We’ve got you covered, no sweat. Finding a substitute doesn’t mean you’re in for bland meals.

Oh no, we’re here to save your dishes with some top-notch swaps. Think about it – this could be your golden ticket to elevating your cooking game.

Ever tried a dash of something new and thought, “Where have you been all my life?”

That’s where we’re headed, folks. Fasten your apron ties; it’s time to dive into some seriously tasty tweaks.

What is Lemon Pepper Seasoning?

Lemon pepper seasoning consists of dried lemon, salt, and other spices.

This mixture can season many dishes, such as pasta or beef.

However, the ingredients that go into this blend vary between brands, so knowing exactly what is in the bottle requires careful reading of the label.

Ingredients vary between brands, but lemon pepper seasoning generally consists of salt, black pepper, coriander, cumin, dill seed, garlic powder, lemon peel (sulfured or not), parsley flakes, and sometimes celery seed.

Some companies may add MSG to their lemon pepper mix, but this is not common.

This seasoning blend can be found in the spice aisle of many grocery stores, but some gourmet shops also sell lemon pepper seasoning.

Lemon pepper is a versatile spice that helps bring out the flavor of food.

It adds zest to salads or pasta dishes without overpowering their taste with tangy lemon flavors.

This blend also seasons meat well because the lemon flavor complements the natural flavors of meats such as chicken and beef.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Here’s a detailed comparison of the 5 best substitutes for lemon pepper seasoning, along with their key characteristics and proper ratios:

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Dried Herbs	Dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil can provide a similar aromatic and herbaceous flavor to lemon pepper seasoning.	Use an equal amount of dried herbs as you would with lemon pepper seasoning.
Lemon Thyme	Lemon thyme is an herb with a lemony flavor and a hint of thyme. It can be used as a substitute for lemon pepper seasoning in various dishes.	Use an equal amount of lemon thyme as you would with lemon pepper seasoning.
Lemon Zest	Lemon zest offers a strong citrus flavor that can mimic the tanginess of lemon pepper seasoning. It adds brightness to recipes.	Use an equal amount of lemon zest as you would with lemon pepper seasoning.
Lemon Juice	Lemon juice provides a tart and tangy flavor that can replace the acidic notes of lemon pepper seasoning.	Use half the amount of lemon juice compared to lemon pepper seasoning.
Lemon Curry Powder	Lemon curry powder combines the flavors of lemon and curry, adding depth and tanginess to dishes. It can be a unique substitute option.	Use an equal amount of lemon curry powder as you would with lemon pepper seasoning.

Now let’s delve into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Dried Herbs

Dried herbs are another great substitute for lemon pepper seasoning.

These can be found at many grocery stores, and they work well to make food more flavorful.

Also, dried herbs typically contain less sodium than their counterparts because salt is usually added during processing.

These herbs can be used to flavor soups or stews and chicken or pasta dishes.

Dried herbs are great to use when cooking for one because they can be stored in an airtight container, which ensures that the flavor does not dissipate with time.

2 – Lemon Thyme

Lemon thyme is a popular herb to use when adding a lemon flavor to your food.

This herb tastes very much like regular thyme, except that it has a subtle lemon taste.

In addition, the leaves look similar to those of regular thyme, but they have a stronger yellow color because of their higher oil content.

Lemon thyme is great to use while cooking.

You can add it to any dish, and it will enhance the flavor of meat or vegetables without making them taste too tangy.

You can buy fresh lemon thyme at many grocery stores, but you may also find this herb in dried form in specialty shops.

3 – Lemon Zest

Lemon zest is produced by scraping off the outermost layer of lemon fruit.

As mentioned before, it will allow you to add a more lemony flavor to your food.

This is because the essential oils are located in this part of the lemon fruit.

You can use lemon zest while cooking beef or poultry dishes.

It can also liven up salads, pasta dishes, meats, and vegetables.

The best way to get lemon zest is to use a specialized grater.

However, you can also use a vegetable peeler if you are careful not to remove any white pith underneath the yellow skin.

4 – Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is different from lemon zest because it squeezes fresh lemons.

Unlike dried herbs or lemon thyme, this flavoring agent will not last long.

Because of this, it is best to use it immediately after squeezing the lemon.

If you want to add a little bit of lemony flavor to your food without overpowering other tastes, lemon juice is a great option.

For example, if you have some steamed asparagus, you can add lemon juice to the dish.

This will give it enough flavor without adding an overwhelming amount of tanginess.

Lemon juice is best used when you do not have time to marinate your meat in advance because this ingredient cannot enhance the flavors of your food for very long.

Also, if you use it for dish marinades, you must make sure that the meat has an opportunity to soak up the lemon juice.

In addition, lemon juice can be used in salad dressings and sauces.

It may even be added to baked goods (like cakes and bread) and fruit dishes.

5 – Lemon Curry Powder

Lemon curry powder is a blend of spices that make your food much more flavorful.

It contains turmeric, which is frequently used to spice Indian curry dishes.

This type of spice works well with chicken and seafood because it enhances their natural flavors.

Lemon curry powder also tastes good with eggs, vegetables, stews, and rice dishes.

In addition, if you add lemon curry powder to a marinade, the flavor of your meat will be enhanced.

This allows you to enjoy stronger flavors without having any artificial additives.

Because lemon curry powder is a blend of several spices, it can have a more robust taste than some other options on this list.

However, this means that you can add a smaller amount of this blend when you want to add the flavor of lemons to your dish.

Conclusion

Lemon pepper is a popular flavoring in many households because it tastes better without adding artificial ingredients.

However, lemon pepper seasoning can be difficult to find, and it doesn’t last very long.

Luckily, there are several alternatives that you can use instead of this ingredient.

These substitutes will provide your food with a lemony flavor without worrying about finding the seasoning itself.

Lemon thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, and lemon curry powder are great substitutes because they provide lemons flavor without adding any extra ingredients.

With these five options, you can enjoy your meals even more.