Homemade Greek Seasoning

You know I have no hesitation about pulling out five or six jars of herbs and spices to make dinner, but even for me, this homemade Greek seasoning is a welcome shortcut!

I mixed up this blend a few weeks ago while spring cleaning my spice drawer, and it has since become something I reach for all the time. I’ve rubbed it onto chicken thighs before baking them, whisked it into olive oil with lemon juice for a quick salad dressing, and shaken it over potatoes before roasting them.

Making your own Greek seasoning takes only a minute, and tastes so much better than anything I’ve found in a jar at the grocery store.

A good homemade Greek seasoning must start with dried oregano, parsley, thyme, and basil. These Mediterranean herbs form the green, earthy base, giving you that recognizable herbal aroma. But one thing that really distinguishes this blend from my Italian seasoning is that Greek oregano is definitely the lead. 

I also think it’s important to include a little bit of warmth to give it depth. I added cinnamon and cumin to my recipe because that’s what separates a basic herb mix from something that actually tastes like the authentic Greek cooking we love. It provides a subtle, warm backbone that reminds me of traditional dishes like moussaka or soutzoukakia, baked Greek meatballs. 

Key Ingredients

• Greek oregano is the special ingredient that really makes this recipe. We carry an excellent one in our shop that I use in my kitchen every week.
• Dried parsley is mellower than fresh and I like it as a counterpoint to the peppery oregano. 
• Dried thyme is an herb you might associate with French cooking, but it’s an essential flavor in Greece too, where it grows wild on the rocky hillsides. It’s so prevalent in fact that you can taste its flavor in our Greek honey! It adds a woodsy backbone to this blend.
• Dried basil adds a subtle sweetness reminiscent of licorice, or ouzo, a favorite in this summer sipper. 
• Garlic and onion powders: The savory flavor these two aromatics contribute is what makes this such a versatile seasoning that works equally well as a rub for grilling. Use powder or granules, either is fine. 
• Ground cinnamon and cumin add wonderful warmth to this blend. Cinnamon is the secret ingredient in many Greek dishes, including these Greek baked beans.
• Kosher Salt and pepper are optional! You can make this seasoning without salt or pepper and add those separately to whatever you’re cooking. This is best if you are watching your sodium intake. Note that I use Diamond crystal kosher salt, and table salt is about twice as salty by volume.

How to Make Homemade Greek Seasoning

This Greek seasoning blend recipe is a great way to use up those half used jars of herbs and spices in your drawer and turn them into an easy shortcut ingredient that you can easily use to amp up chicken, potatoes, vinaigrette, or anything else you can think of! 

• Combine the herbs and spices. In a small bowl, combine 2 1/2 tablespoons dried Greek oregano, 1 tablespoon dried parsley,1tablespoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin. If you like, mix in 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper. 
• Mix and store. Mix well with a spoon to combine then transfer to a mason jar and tightly close the lid. Store in a dark cool place for up to 6 months. 

Ingredient Spotlight

I want to spend a moment on oregano, because it is truly the soul of this blend. Not all oregano is the same, and this is a case where sourcing really matters. I recommend using authentic Greek oregano specifically. It is a different subspecies grown in the rocky hillsides of Greece, and it is significantly more pungent, peppery, and aromatic than the milder oregano you typically find at the supermarket. 

Greek oregano has a higher concentration of essential oils, which gives it that unmistakable savory “bite” that holds up beautifully against big flavors like lamb, lemon, and grilled meats. If you want your seasoning to taste authentically Greek, this is one ingredient worth seeking out.

• READ MORE: Oregano: Everything You Need to Know About This Essential Mediterranean Herb
• TRY IT: Fragrant Greek Oregano, grown and harvested in Greece

How to Use Greek Seasoning 

Once you have a jar of this on your shelf, you will find yourself reaching for it constantly. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• As a dry rub: Coat chicken, lamb chops, pork tenderloin, or shrimp generously with the seasoning before grilling, roasting, or pan-searing. It’s a perfect shortcut seasoning for these Chicken Gyros or Greek Sheet Pan Chicken. 
• In a marinade: Whisk 1 to 2 tablespoons into a simple mixture of extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic for one of the most versatile marinades you will ever use. Use it in place of the herbs in this Greek Chicken Marinade recipe! 
• On roasted vegetables: Toss zucchini, eggplant, or green beans with olive oil and a generous pinch of the seasoning before roasting. It’s also great on these Greek Lemon Potatoes!
• In a salad dressing: Add a teaspoon to your favorite olive oil and lemon vinaigrette for an instant version of ladolemono dressing. 
• In soups and stews: Stir a teaspoon into a pot of simmering lentils, white bean soup, or a tomato-based braise for an instant depth of flavor.

Make it Your Own

• Go salt-free: Omit the kosher salt and season your food separately as you cook. This gives you complete control over sodium and makes the blend a versatile pantry staple you can use freely in any recipe without worrying about over-salting.
• Make it lemony: Add 1 teaspoon of dried lemon zest or lemon powder for a bright citrus note that mimics the squeeze of fresh lemon that appears in so many classic Greek dishes.
• Add paprika: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of paprika for a sweet undertone that gives the blend extra dimension when used on grilled or roasted meats like pork souvlaki or lamb chops.
• Add dill: Add a teaspoon of dried dill for a blend that is beautifully suited to fish, shrimp, and roasted vegetables, or stirred into Greek yogurt for a quick tzatziki-style sauce.

How to Store Homemade Greek Seasoning

Store your seasoning in a tightly sealed mason jar in a cool, dark place. Ideally, a pantry, drawer, or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove, as heat and light are the enemies of dried spices. Kept this way, your Greek seasoning will keep well for up to six months, though I always say: use it sooner rather than later. The flavor is at its best in the first few months, before the essential oils in the herbs begin to fade.