Lemon Seasoning Blends for Chicken, Pork, Seafood, and Vegetables

A squeeze of lemon makes almost any savory dish taste brighter, and a lemon seasoning blend gives you that lift without zesting and juicing every night. Savu Birra makes four general lemon blends, plus lemon blends tuned for chicken and pork. Each one pairs lemon with a different partner: black pepper, garlic, herbs or Aleppo chile. This guide explains how they differ, which to use on chicken, pork, seafood and vegetables, how much to use, and gives recipes for each.

The four lemon blends compared

All four contain sea salt, citric acid for tang and lemon peel, so taste before adding more salt.

Lemon blends for a specific protein

Lemon Pepper Chicken and Lemon Garlic Chicken build on the general blends with added spices for poultry, and are part of the Chicken Seasoning Variety Pack. Lemon Pepper Pork and Lemon Garlic Pork are in the Pork Seasoning Variety Pack. Each has its own ingredient list, so check the label when adapting a recipe.

Which lemon blend for which food?

• Chicken: Lemon Pepper for wings, Lemon Garlic for breasts and thighs, Lemon Aleppo for grilled thighs, Lemon Herb for roast chicken.
• Pork: Lemon Garlic on chops and tenderloin; Lemon Aleppo on kebabs.
• Fish: Lemon Herb or Lemon Pepper on white fish; Lemon Aleppo on salmon.
• Shrimp and scallops: Lemon Garlic, every time.
• Vegetables: Lemon Herb on zucchini and asparagus, Lemon Garlic on broccoli and green beans, Lemon Aleppo on cauliflower and carrots, Lemon Pepper on potatoes.
• Grains and pasta: Lemon Garlic or Lemon Herb stirred into butter or olive oil.

How much to use

• 1 pound boneless meat, fish or vegetables: about 1 to 2 teaspoons with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Seafood: start on the lighter side and add a finishing sprinkle after cooking.
• Dips and dressings: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per 1/2 cup.

Ways to apply lemon seasoning

• Dry: sprinkle directly on oiled meat or vegetables.
• Oil coating: mix with olive oil and brush on before grilling or roasting.
• Butter: stir into melted butter to baste fish or toss with vegetables.
• Yogurt marinade: mix into plain yogurt to tenderize and flavor chicken.
• Finish: a light sprinkle right before serving gives the brightest aroma.

Recipe: lemon garlic shrimp

Serves: 3 to 4.

1. Toss 1 pound peeled shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 teaspoons Lemon Garlic Seasoning.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp in one layer, 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
3. Off the heat, stir in 1 tablespoon butter and chopped parsley. Serve over pasta or rice, or with crusty bread.

Recipe: Lemon Aleppo chicken thighs with yogurt

1. Mix 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon Lemon Aleppo Seasoning.
2. Coat 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs and refrigerate 1 to 4 hours.
3. Grill or roast at 425°F until at least 165°F, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with rice, cucumbers and extra yogurt.

Recipe: lemon herb baked fish

Place 4 white fish fillets (cod, tilapia or halibut) on a lined sheet pan. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons Lemon Herb Seasoning. Bake at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, until the fish flakes and reaches 145°F.

Recipe: lemon pepper roasted potatoes

Toss 1 1/2 pounds cubed potatoes with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and 2 teaspoons Lemon Pepper Seasoning. Roast at 425°F for 30 to 40 minutes, turning once. Taste and add a final pinch of seasoning.

Recipe: two-blend potato comparison

Divide 1 pound diced potatoes between two bowls. Give each half 1/2 tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon of a different lemon blend. Roast on separate sides of one sheet pan at 425°F for 30 to 40 minutes. Taste the pepper, garlic, herbs or chile, not just the lemon.

Recipe: lemon yogurt dip

Stir 1/4 teaspoon Lemon Herb or Lemon Aleppo into 1/2 cup plain yogurt. Refrigerate 10 minutes, then taste. Thin with a little water to drizzle over grilled meat or vegetables.

Tips

• Lemon blends contain a little sugar, so watch them over very high heat and finish over moderate heat if they darken quickly.
• Don't marinate fish in a lemony mixture for more than about 30 minutes, or the texture can turn soft.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon at the table if you want even more brightness.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best lemon seasoning for wings?

Lemon Pepper is the classic. For extra flavor, try Lemon Pepper Chicken Seasoning. See 10 Ways to Use Lemon Pepper Seasoning.

Is Lemon Aleppo spicy?

Only mildly. Aleppo pepper has gentle, fruity warmth rather than sharp heat. Read 5 Ways to Use Lemon Aleppo Seasoning.

Do lemon blends contain salt?

Yes, all four contain sea salt. Taste before adding more.

Explore more from Savu Birra

Browse the complete lemon flavor seasoning blends collection. Related reading: Best Seasonings for Fish, Shrimp and Seafood and Herbs and Spices for Chicken.