5 Ways to Use Lemon Aleppo Seasoning
Lemon Aleppo Seasoning combines tangy lemon with fruity Aleppo chile and smoked paprika. It tastes bright, a little smoky and gently warm, and it works on almost anything you would squeeze lemon over: chicken, fish, shrimp, vegetables, salads and dips. Here are five easy ways to use it, with starting amounts and three full recipes.
Shop Lemon Aleppo
Try it alone, or get all four Savu Birra lemon blends in one pack: Lemon Pepper, Lemon Garlic, Lemon Herb and Lemon Aleppo.
1. Grilled chicken
Coat 1 pound of chicken with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon Lemon Aleppo before grilling. The citrus brightens the char, and the Aleppo and smoked paprika add color and gentle warmth. Grill over medium heat and check for 165°F in the thickest part.
2. Salad dressings
Whisk 1/4 teaspoon into 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, then taste on a leaf. It is excellent on Greek salad, chopped salad, cucumber-tomato salad and grain bowls.
3. Roasted vegetables
Toss 1 pound of vegetables with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon seasoning before roasting at 425°F. Cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, green beans and potatoes are all great choices.
4. Seafood
Season fish fillets or shrimp with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per pound just before cooking. Bake, grill or pan-sear, and check for 145°F in the thickest part of fish, or cook shrimp until pearly and opaque.
5. Hummus and dips
Stir 1/4 teaspoon into 1/2 cup hummus, yogurt or sour cream, refrigerate 10 minutes and retaste. Finish with olive oil and an extra sprinkle.
Amounts at a glance
| Use | Starting amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken | 1 teaspoon per pound with 1 tablespoon oil |
| Dressing | 1/4 teaspoon per 1/4 cup dressing |
| Vegetables | 1 teaspoon per pound with 1 tablespoon oil |
| Fish and shrimp | 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per pound |
| Hummus or dip | 1/4 teaspoon per 1/2 cup |
Lemon Aleppo contains salt and tangy ingredients. Skip additional salt initially and add fresh lemon only after tasting.
Recipe: Lemon Aleppo cauliflower
Heat the oven to 425°F. Toss 1 pound cauliflower florets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon seasoning. Spread in one layer and roast about 20 to 30 minutes, turning once, until tender and browned. Serve with a yogurt dip and warm bread.
Recipe: Lemon Aleppo chicken kebabs
- Cut 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken thighs into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
- Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt and 1 1/2 teaspoons Lemon Aleppo. Refrigerate 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Thread onto skewers with red onion and bell pepper.
- Grill over medium-high heat, turning, until the chicken reaches 165°F, about 10 to 12 minutes. Serve with pita, rice and the dip below.
Recipe: Lemon Aleppo yogurt sauce
Mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Aleppo, 1 small grated garlic clove and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Refrigerate 10 minutes. Serve with the kebabs, grilled lamb, salmon or roasted vegetables.
Lemon Aleppo vs. other lemon blends
- Lemon Aleppo: fruity chile and smoked paprika; best for grilled meats, kebabs and Mediterranean dishes.
- Lemon Pepper: coarse black pepper; the classic for chicken, wings and fish. See 10 Ways to Use Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
- Lemon Garlic: savory garlic with citrus for chicken, seafood and vegetables.
- Lemon Herb: lemon with basil, oregano and thyme for vegetables, seafood and dressings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lemon Aleppo spicy?
Only gently. Aleppo pepper has a mild, slow-building warmth, so the blend tastes more tangy than hot.
Does it work on pork?
Yes. Try it on pork chops or tenderloin, and cook to 145°F with a 3-minute rest. For a pork-specific blend, see Lemon Garlic Pork Seasoning, which also includes Aleppo pepper.
How should I store it?
Keep it sealed, away from heat and steam, and use within about a year. See our shelf life of spices guide.
Explore more from Savu Birra
Browse our lemon seasoning blends, read What Is Aleppo Chile Pepper?, or see lemon seasoning blends for chicken, pork, seafood and vegetables.
