Looking to add a burst of Mediterranean flavor to your dishes without breaking the bank? Look no further! Homemade Greek seasoning is the solution to your culinary needs. In this frugal guide, I’ll show you how to whip up this delightful blend of herbs and spices from scratch, while saving money along the way.

Homemade Greek Seasoning

Not only is Homemade Greek Seasoning going to elevate any dish with its signature Mediterranean flair, but I’d also just about swear it’s going to add a little magic, too!

About Homemade Greek Seasoning:

I know a lot of people swear by Cavender’s Greek seasoning and it has a following. I’ll use it now and then, too. It has a certain punchiness that makes a homemade seasoning hard to compare. The issue? Take a look at the ingredients and you can form your own judgment.

Instead, if you step into my kitchen, you’re more likely gonna see me using my own Homemade Greek Seasoning, with a simple ingredient list that comes straight from a Greek mountainside or maybe the sunny shores – ok, from the grocery store, but you catch my drift, lol!

Classic Greek Vinaigrette

How to Use Homemade Greek Seasoning:

It seems there’s no end to the dishes and uses for this seasoning mix. Here are a few of my favorites, but you are only limited by your imagination (and good taste of course!)

1. Grilled or Roasted Meats: Sprinkle the Greek seasoning liberally over chicken, lamb, pork, or beef before grilling or roasting. It will infuse the meat with a Mediterranean flair.
2. Greek Chicken: Maybe you’d like to use it in a classic Greek one-dish dinner like Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken? Just use a good sprinkle of this instead of the “prescribed” herbs.
3. Flavorful Marinades: Create a delicious marinade for your proteins by combining Greek seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, and if you wish, a touch of yogurt. Let the meat marinate for a few hours before cooking for maximum flavor.
4. Mediterranean Vegetables: Toss your favorite veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and a generous amount of Greek seasoning. Roast them in the oven.
5. Potatoes: Jazz up potatoes, roasted or fried. Simply add a good amount of Greek seasoning before roasting or after frying. There’s nothing better than Greek potatoes.
6. Hummus and Dips: Elevate the flavor of your homemade hummus or Greek yogurt dip by adding a pinch of Greek seasoning. Your taste buds will thank you! Don’t hesitate to add a little of this to Tzatziki .
7. Greek Salads: Make a classic Greek salad by combining cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and red onions. Sprinkle Greek seasoning on top for a burst of authentic flavor.
8. Dressings: Whip together a salad dressing:  just add olive oil and a little red vinegar. For a quick Greek Dressing: 3/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 to 2 teaspoons Greek Seasoning. Place everything in a jar and shake until well blended. Will thicken, but will need to be reshaken each time it is used. I do have a “fancier” Greek Vinaigrette. It can be made with this herb mix as well.
9. Burgers: An old Diner trick, from a friend who worked his way in high school at a Greek Diner in the 1950s, passed on this hint. Top your finished burgers with a little pat of butter and a sprinkle of Greek Seasoning.

Making & Storing Greek Seasoning:

This is an easy blend to put together. Just mix together and add to an airtight jar. This quantity makes about 4 tablespoons, the equivalent of a quarter of a cup. Just use the calculator in the recipe, below, to multiply out in larger quantities.

To dry lemon zest, use the same method I show in this post Drying or Freezing Citrus Zest. It takes less than a minute to quickly dry your lemon zest in the microwave.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different variations of the Greek seasoning. For instance, adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, dill, or nutmeg – all spices or herbs that are sometimes found in Greek dishes. If you’re game, they can add a unique twist to the traditional blend.

Like all spices and herbs, store your seasoning in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. Over a stove, refrigerator or dishwasher is not ideal.

Homemade Greek Seasoning

Saving Money on Greek Seasoning:

There are times when you absolutely need the best quality ingredients in a mix, and there are times when savvy shopping can save you a bit of hard-earned cash. Making your own spice mixes is one of those times.
There are times when you absolutely need the best quality ingredients in a mix, and there are times when savvy shopping can save you a bit of hard-earned cash. Making your own spice mixes is one of those times.

1. Buy in Bulk: Purchase the dried herbs and spices in bulk or larger containers to save money. Often, larger quantities are more cost-effective than smaller amounts. This is especially true in items most used, and for standard “American” cooking, some of the most used items are paprika, onion, and garlic powder. These are building blocks for many spice blends as well as rubs for barbecue or grilling.
2. Grow Your Own: Consider growing some of the herbs, like oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, mint, oregano, and basil, in your garden or in pots. This not only saves money but also provides you with fresh herbs whenever you need them and with the exception of basil, these all dry beautifully at the end of the season. If you plan right you may be able to bring herbs inside to overwinter. Generally, the cost of a plant is about the same amount as a small packet or bundle of herbs from the refrigerated section of the produce department.
3. Buy Whole Spices: Seldom used spices (this works for chiles, too) can be bought in whole form if available. Most will keep for literally years in a glass jar, tightly lidded, in a cool, dark cupboard. Grind as needed and you’ll never have to toss old jars that have lost their oomph. If a spice will not break down to a powdery substance, shake it through a small strainer.
4. Check in Different Areas: Check various areas of the store: You will almost always find dried spices and herbs in the baking aisle, but check any “ethnic” areas as well as the produce aisle. Many groceries sell dried spices and herbs in cellophane packets near the produce.
5. Shop Around: Do check your big box stores for surprising deals. Also if you have access to any markets, especially Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latino markets, they may have stellar pricing and may have items not found in a regular chain grocery.
6. Watch Sales: Spice sales do happen sporadically throughout the year, but generally, most producers offer specials, sales, coupons, and Catalinas in the Spring. Watch for them. A Catalina, if you are not familiar, is a piece of paper that is generated when an item is bought. That slip of paper will key you in on current or future sales (maybe unadvertised otherwise.)
7. Be Wary: There’s a lot of advice online to buy spices in very small amounts from measure-your-own bulk jars. To buy all spices and herbs this way is generally insanely expensive. Consider this only if a one-off spice or herb is needed.
8. Skip Expensive Brands: Don’t be swayed by fancy packaging or expensive brands. Check the ingredients and opt for the most affordable options available. Be wary of items sold in large bins for $1.00 for a small jar. They may or may not be cost-effective compared to buying in bulk, for instance.
9. Know Your Spices & Herbs: While this covers buying spices and herbs, know how long they are good for and how to store them properly. Never toss spices or herbs after a year on the advice of a celebrity chef. I’ve written extensively on these subjects. Follow this link and scroll to the bottom of the pages to “You May Also Like.”

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post on Homemade Greek Seasoning! If you make this spice blend, I’d love it if you’d check back and let me know how you like it and how you use it. And if you’d share this post, that would be great, too! If you would like to see more of my spice & herb blends, check out Spice, Herb & Flavor Packet Substitutes. I’m always adding as I go along!

Take care all, and happy cooking!

Mollie

Homemade Greek Seasoning

Homemade Greek Seasoning

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• Author: mollie kirby
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1/4 cup 1x
• Category: Spice Mix
• Cuisine: greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or dried minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel, optional

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Instructions

Mix together, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard. If your recipe calls for lemon, you may with to omit the lemon in this spice mix and zest the lemon you are using, instead.

Keywords: Greek, Spice & Herb Blend