Fresh, Homemade “Italian” Seasoning [1]

Irucka Embry



Ingredients



Directions

  1. Gather the fresh (harvested within 24 hours or less) Herbs from your land or a local farm/garden. [2]

  2. Place the Herbs in the bottom of an organic Cotton or industrial Hemp bag, if you have one. If not, then place them in another type of cloth bag. Be sure to keep the bag out of direct Sunlight and keep moisture out of the bag.

  3. Allow the Herbs to thoroughly dry, which is approximately 3+ days depending on your preferences, environmental conditions, etc. Check on the Herbs daily to ensure that there is no moisture and no mold growth & also check for dryness.

  4. Remove the dried Herbs from the bag and place them, as a mixture, in a spice jar, Mason jar, or other airtight container. Label the container with the contents and the date. Keep the jar in a dry, cool, and dark place. Be sure to use your Homemade “Italian” Seasoning within 1-2 years. [3]

  5. Use your Homemade “Italian” Seasoning instead of store-bought Italian Seasoning in your favorite Mediterranean recipes.


Equipment




Notes

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[1] There is no such thing as an actual “Italian” Seasoning in Italy. It is more than likely a US American invention. For more information, please refer to TastingTable: Why Italian Seasoning Isn’t A Thing In Italy (And Where It Actually Came From) By Zoë Lourey-Christianson, Dec. 24, 2024.


[2] Ideally, you should use biodynamic, non-GMO, naturally grown, organic, and/or pesticide-free heirloom Herbs to avoid the harmful effects of pesticides and the genetic manipulation of organisms. Visit https://www.ecoccs.com/recipes-tips.html to get more information about those terms and for farm/garden tips. Ideally, you should harvest the Herbs when they are dry to avoid an uncontrolled fermentation process taking place in the bag. If the Herbs are not already dry, you may want to pat them dry with an organic Cotton or industrial Hemp cloth. Also, you should clean your Herbs, as needed, before beginning the drying process.


[3] Avoid using plastic leakproof lids with Mason jars as that could lead to possible mold growth on the dried Herbs. Please refer to Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine: Storing Dried Herbs and Herbal Preparations for Freshness and Longevity Written by Meghan Gemma and Juliet Blankespoor, Last updated on November 7th, 2025 & Meadowlark Journal: How to Store Dried Herbs: Tips to Ensure they Last Longer for more information on the storage of dried Herbs.