6 Best Lemon Pepper Substitute Ideas (2023)

Last Updated on February 20, 2023

Try a lemon pepper substitute when you just don’t have lemon pepper seasoning in hand. This guide will help you find the perfect lemon pepper substitute ideas.

Lemon pepper seasoning is a popular spice blend made from lemon zest and cracked black pepper. It’s often used to add flavor to vegetables, and salads.

It is a versatile seasoning mix that can be found in a variety of dishes. The zesty lemon flavor pairs well with the earthy black pepper, making it a perfect addition to many recipes.

Best Lemon Pepper Substitute

Whether you’re looking to add some zing to your dinner or liven up your lunchtime salad, lemon pepper seasoning is a great option. What if you run out of lemon pepper? Don’t worry! You can experiment with different substitutes will allow you to find the perfect flavor for your dish.

1. Sumac + Cracked Pepper

If you’re out of lemon pepper and in a pinch, sumac and cracked pepper is a great substitute.

Sumac is a plant that grows in warm climates. The leaves and berries of the sumac plant are used to make a spice called ground sumac. Sumac has a sour, lemony taste and is often used as a seasoning in Middle Eastern cooking (we used sumac in our Israeli Salad). Cracked pepper will add some heat and zing to the dish. Just mix together equal parts sumac and pepper, and you’re good to go!

2. Lemon Zest (Juice) + Cracked Pepper

Lemon zest is the outermost layer of the lemon peel and is packed with flavor. Just use a microplane or zester to get the desired amount of zest and add it to your dish. Use zest + cracked pepper for your salad or vegetables.

If you have some lemons on hand, juice them and use the juice as a replacement for the lemon pepper. You can also mix the juice with cracked pepper in your wet dishes to get that same flavor profile.

To zest a lemon, first wash the lemon to remove any dirt or bacteria. Then, using the zester, carefully remove the outer layer of the peel in long strips or small pieces. Be sure to avoid removing any of the white pith beneath the peel as this can make your dish bitter (the same rule applies to zesting limes).

3. Lime Zest (Juice) + Cracked Pepper

Lime zest (or juice) and cracked pepper is a great substitute for lemon pepper. The acidity of the lime will brighten up any dish, while the cracked pepper adds a nice bit of heat.

4. Lemon Thyme + Cracked Pepper

Lemon thyme and cracked pepper – this combination will give you the same lemony flavor with a little bit of a kick.

Dried or fresh lemon thyme are both great options. You can also use a combination of equal parts salt, pepper, and dried lemon zest. If you have mixed herbs on hand, you can add ground black pepper and mixed herbs to it to give your dish a twist.

5. Vietnamese Sweet Lemon Curry Powder

Sweet lemon curry seasoning is a common ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. It gives the curry dishes an extra lemony flavor. The sweet lemon curry seasoning consists of dried chili peppers, garlic, shallots, and lemon grass. In addition to adding flavor to the curries, this seasoning also adds sweetness.

6. Mixed Herbs + Cracked Pepper+ Apple Cider Vinegar

When life doesn’t give you lemons, make sure you have some vinegar on hand. No, not to make lemonade. To make a delicious lemon pepper substitute!

All you need is a mix of herbs, black pepper, and a dash of apple cider vinegar. We like to use rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano. But feel free to experiment with whatever you have on hand. Just chop up your herbs and mix them with small amount of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for at least an hour so the flavors can meld together, then give it a taste. Adjust the seasoning as necessary.

Use this mixture wherever you would use lemon pepper, from fresh salads to roasted veggies. It’s a great way to add some extra flavor to your food without resorting to processed seasonings.

In Sum

If you don’t have any of these on hand, then you can always improvise with what you do have. Just remember to taste as you go so that your dish doesn’t end up too salty or vinegary.

Do you find this “lemon pepper substitutes” helpful? If you like to see more content like this , please let me know by commenting below.

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