Copycat Zesty Italian Good Seasonings Mix

by | Aug 31, 2021 | Marinades & Seasonings, Sauces & Dressings

herbs and spices in a jar with a spoon next to it

Did you know that making your own seasoning mixes saves you quite a bit over buying the individual packets?  This quick and easy recipe will stop you from having to buy the dry Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing & Recipe seasoning packets! (Plus you know exactly what is in it.)  The ingredients for this seasoning mix are pretty common herbs and spices so you most likely have most of them in your pantry already!  So there is no need to pay extra for someone to mix and portion it out for you.

I keep mason jars of premade homemade beefy onion soup mix, ranch dressing mix, hamburger seasoning, blackened seasoning and this Zesty Italian Seasoning mix, (a copycat for Good Seasons), premade in my spice cabinet so I have it on hand whenever I need it!  They can be used to make dressings or dips, as well as season meat, veggies and potatoes.  Once you have a few basic spice blends in your cabinet, it makes it easy to change up flavors and season dishes in different ways.

A couple of notes and tips for this recipe:

  • 2 Tbsp of the below mixture will replace one Zesty Italian Seasoning Packet in recipes.
  • To make Zesty Italian dressing:  Combine 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2/3 cup canola or olive oil, 2 Tbsp water and 2 Tbsp of the above seasoning mix in a mason jar with a lid.  Put on the lid and shake well.  Store in the refrigerator and shake before each use.
  • To make a quick and easy dip, mix 2 Tbsp with 16oz sour cream.  Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour for best flavor.
  • To make a great Italian marinade for meat, mix 2 Tbsp with 1/4 cup each of oil, vinegar and water.
  • Note, this recipe is for ZESTY Italian seasoning.  If you want the PLAIN Italian seasoning mix, leave out the red pepper flakes and paprika!

This recipe makes an 8oz mason jar full.  I usually double this recipe and make it in a 16oz so I don’t have to make it as often, but how much you will want to make really depends how much you will use it!

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp oregano
  • 2 Tbsp parsley
  • 2 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp salt
  • 1-1/2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp basil
  • 2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp celery seed

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a 8oz mason jar and shake until well combined.
  2. Use 2 Tbsp of the mixture in place of 1 package of dry Good Seasonings Zesty Italian Seasoning.
  3. Shake the jar well before measuring the seasoning each time you use it so the mixture remains combined.
seasoning in a jar with a spoon in it
spices in a jar on a wicker mat
seasoning in a jar with a spoon in it

Copycat Zesty Italian Good Seasonings Mix

Source: donuts2crumpets
Mix your own herbs and spices to make the Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing and Recipe Mix packets at home for dressings, marinades and dips!
Servings: 8
Prep Time 5 minutes
5 from 10 votes

EQUIPMENT (Amazon Associate Links)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tbsp oregano
  • 2 Tbsp parsley
  • 2 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp salt
  • 1-1/2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp basil
  • 2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp celery seed

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a 8oz mason jar and shake until well combined.
  • Use 2 Tbsp of the mixture in place of 1 package of dry Good Seasonings Zesty Italian Seasoning.
  • Shake the jar well before measuring the seasoning each time you use it so the mixture remains combined.

Notes

A couple of notes and tips for this recipe:
  • 2 Tbsp of the below mixture will replace one Zesty Italian Seasoning Packet in recipes.
  • To make Zesty Italian dressing:  Combine 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2/3 cup canola or olive oil, 2 Tbsp water and 2 Tbsp of the above seasoning mix in a mason jar with a lid.  Put on the lid and shake well.  Store in the refrigerator and shake before each use.
  • To make a quick and easy dip, mix 2 Tbsp with 16oz sour cream.  Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour for best flavor.
  • To make a great Italian marinade for meat, mix 2 Tbsp with 1/4 cup each of oil, vinegar and water.
  • Note, this recipe is for ZESTY Italian seasoning.  If you want the PLAIN Italian seasoning mix, leave out the red pepper flakes and paprika!
This recipe makes an 8oz mason jar full.  I usually double this recipe and make it in a 16oz so I don’t have to make it as often, but how much you will want to make really depends how much you will use it!

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3 Comments

  1. Laura DeWitt, MD, MBA

    Hi.

    Can I leave out the sugar? Is it necessary?

    I’m on the fence with type II DM so, the less sugar I see and the less my blood sugar spikes , the better off I am.

    Reply
    • donuts2crumpets

      You can definitely leave out the sugar. It will obviously change the taste a little but you will still end up with a savory Italian dressing.

      Reply
  2. Jesse

    If you grind all the ingredients after combining them it prevents them from separating.

    Reply
5 from 10 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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