This easy to make Mediterranean seasoning mix will add a touch of summer sunshine to your cooking even on the dullest days.
Packed with Mediterranean herbs it will transform chicken, lamb, and is perfect for adding flavour to sauces, marinades, soups, stews and casseroles.
Mediterranean seasoning mix
This Mediterranean seasoning mix is a delicious blend of fragrant herbs, based around a mixture of oregano, basil and thyme.
It’s so useful, lifting everyday dishes with the easy addition of a teaspoon or two, adding layers of flavour to a weeknight supper.
See also
- Chilli con carne seasoning is my secret in a jar for great chilli
- Make Indian fakeaway easy with pilau rice seasoning
- Fry seasoning is the perfect accompaniment for homemade french fries
- If you love to experiment with flavour here are all my seasoning blend recipes
Having a pot of ready-made Mediterranean seasoning mix in the pantry is a great time saver.
Follow my guide to make your very own Mediterranean seasoning mix; adjust the ratios to your taste to make your perfect seasoning, unlike any other.
Buying and storing dried herbs
If I buy large bags of herbs or spices, I find they can go stale before I can finish them up. Small jars from the supermarket, however, are rarely good value for money. Modestly sized packets from the ‘world foods’ aisle of the supermarket are perfect.
Use a plastic kitchen clip rather than relying on a resealable bag to be airtight. Store the bags in sealed plastic boxes in a cool, dark place. I like to have one box for savoury spices, one for herbs, and one for sweet spices so that your herbs do not pick up the smell of the spices.
If you want to dry your own herbs from the garden, hang them in bunches from the ceiling or a clothes airer in a dry space such as a shed or garage. Then put them leaf-end first in a paper bag and shake to catch the dry leaves.
Why make homemade Mediterranean seasoning
- Homemade seasoning blends are just the ticket for the everyday cook. They make your favourite dishes even quicker and easier to make.
- Having your own blend makes it easy to customize to your taste.
- Your own pre-prepared blend means that you’re sure you like the particular balance of herbs. There’s no danger of overwhelming a dish with one particular herb.
- Use it as a flavour base for other recipes, including salad dressings, pasta sauces, dips and as a seasoning for grilled or baked meat, chicken and fish.
- I love having my own signature secret ingredient!
Mediterranean seasoning ingredients
- Dried oregano – adds a warm and earthy note. Its robust taste adds a depth of flavour to rich, hearty dishes.
- Dried basil – has a sweet and slightly peppery flavour. Dried basil adds a distinct aroma to many dishes. Basil pairs well with tomatoes, making it an essential herb for pasta sauces, pizzas, and soups.
- Dried thyme – Known for its delicate yet distinct flavour, dried thyme imparts a subtle earthiness to dishes. It complements poultry, stews, and tomato-based sauces.
- Dried rosemary – Rosemary offers a fragrant and pine-based aroma that lifts the overall taste of your dishes. This herb is a wonderful addition to roasted meat, particularly lamb, potatoes, and focaccia bread.
Helen’s Fuss Free Tip
Crush up the long needle-shaped rosemary leaves with your fingers before adding them them to the mix.
- Dried marjoram – Marjoram is similar to oregano, but milder. It has citrus and fresh, woody flavours. If you can’t find marjoram, then use more oregano instead.
- Dried parsley – With its bright and fresh flavour, dried parsley adds a touch of herby-ness to my Mediterranean seasoning. Parsley enhances the flavours of pasta dishes, risottos, and seafood.
- Dried sage – Sage has a distinctive earthy peppery taste with hints of mint, eucalyptus, and lemon. I find that it has a strong flavour that I prefer to use in moderation.
- Garlic powder – Garlic is a staple in many cuisines, and using garlic powder allows you to enjoy its flavour straight from the store cupboard.
- Red pepper flakes – Pepper flakes have good flavour, but unlike chilli flakes they are not hot. Pepper flakes can be found in middle Eastern shops, or substitute Aleppo Chilli Flakes / pul biber.
How to make Mediterranean seasoning – step by step
Before you start, read these step-by-step instructions, with photos, hints and tips so you can make this recipe perfectly every time.
Scroll down for the recipe card with quantities and more tips at the bottom of the page.
Step One – Check the size of your storage jar before you start, to see it will hold all the seasoning.
Measure out the ingredients into a small mixing bowl, tweaking according to your preference.
Step Two – Give everything a good mix with a spoon or whisk, ensuring that the herbs are evenly distributed.
There’s no need to dirty a food processor here: it will only grind the mix down to a texture-less powder. A good stir will do the job!
Helen’s Pro Tip
It’s easier to mix the herbs well in a bowl rather than putting everything in a jar and shaking, especially if the jar is full.
Step Three – Transfer your freshly made Mediterranean seasoning to a clean, dry jar for storage. I usually use a jam funnel for this, to avoid spills.
Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place. Label and date.
How to use Mediterranean seasoning
There are so many ways to use this herb blend. Here are a few of my favourites:
- Mediterranean seasoning is a superb addition to any chicken, beef or fish dish
- Use when making a simple vegetable soup
- Use in my Mediterranean dressing
- It’s a great addition to a marinade, perfect for barbecue season
- Add to plain roast potatoes before cooking, but after par boiling, for some extra zing
- Mix into melted butter for twist on garlic butter.
Helen’s Pro Tip
Give your seasoning mix a good stir with a teaspoon or shake before using, as the contents can settle.
Storage
Store your homemade Mediterranean seasoning sealed in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard.
Your ‘best before’ date will be the shortest date of out of all the herbs and spices you used, so make a note of this.
Although ‘best before’ is a guide, it doesn’t mean you have to throw your mix away. If you keep it over the best before date, the flavour fades, so just use a little more. After too long, however, the flavour will have faded so much it’s better to throw it out and make more.
Hints and tips
- Label the jar with the shortest date from the ingredients
- Shake the jar before using as the contents can settle
- Crush the the long pine needle like rosemary between your fingers before adding to the mixture.
Variations
- When making the seasoning, customize the flavour by adding more of your favourite herbs. Cut back or leave out anything you’re not a fan of. With this recipe you can easily leave out the sage, parsley ad marjoram without changing the final flavour too much.
- Add a little hot chilli for a hint of heat.
- Add sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for an all in one seasoning.
FAQs
The answer is ‘it depends’. If you never use the herbs and spices for anything else, it may be more economical to buy a ready-made mix. If you regularly cook with them, however, it works out cheaper to mix and customize your own.
Homemade is always better because you make it the way you like it! This recipe is a guide and you can tone down or increase any of the ingredients to suit your taste.
It’s gluten free and vegan, as you would expect. This is one of the great benefits of making your own blends, as there are no hidden oddities in the mix.
More seasoning blends
- All purpose seasoning – a herby blend that also includes garlic, cayenne pepper and paprika.
- Spanish seasoning – a spice based seasoning with rich, earthy flavours.
Mediterranean Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oregano
- 2 tbsp basil
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 1 tbsp marjoram (1)
- 1 tbsp rosemary
- 2 tsp garlic granules
- 2 tsp red pepper flake (2)
- 2 tsp parsley
- 2 tsp sage
Instructions
- Check the size of your storage jar before you start, to see it will hold all the seasoning. Gather your ingredients and put everything in a clean, dry bowl. Crush the rosemary leaves between your fingers before adding. Mix everything together thoroughly.2 tbsp oregano, 2 tbsp basil, 1 tbsp thyme, 1 tbsp marjoram, 1 tbsp rosemary, 2 tsp garlic granules, 2 tsp red pepper flake, 2 tsp parsley, 2 tsp sage
- Transfer the seasoning mix to a clean dry jar with a lid that fits tightly. If you have a jam funnel, this will help to avoid any spillage.
- Seal and store in a cool, dark place, ready to use. Stir or shake before use, as the contents may settle.
Notes
- Marjoram – this adds to the flavour profile – if you don’t have it then add some extra oregano
- Red (bell) pepper flake – this barely has any heat, but does have lots of flavour – and is not the same as chili flake. You can find it in middle Eastern shops, or substitute Aleppo Chilli Flakes / Pul Biber.
Storage
- Store your homemade Mediterranean seasoning sealed in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard.
- Your ‘best before’ date will be the shortest date of out of all the herbs and spices you used, so make a note of this.
- Although ‘best before’ is a guide, it doesn’t mean you have to throw your mix away. If you keep it a long time, the flavour fades, so just use a little more.
Hints and tips
- Label the jar with the shortest date from the ingredients
- Shake the jar before using as the contents can settle
- Crush the the long pine needle like rosemary between your fingers before adding to the mixture.
Variations
- When making the seasoning, customize the flavour by adding more of your favourite herbs. Cut back or leave out anything you’re not a fan of. With this recipe you can easily leave out the sage, parsley ad marjoram without changing the final flavour too much.
- Add a little chilli for a hint of heat
- Add sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for an all in one seasoning.
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