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A spoon swirls the lemon pepper adobo seasoning in a dark green ceramic bowl that's surrounded by its ingredients.

Lemon Pepper Adobo Seasoning

Course: Condiments, Spice Blend
Cuisine: Afro-Caribbean, Caribbean, Hispanic, Latin American, Puerto Rican
Keyword: adobo, lemon, pepper
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 100 servings (1 teaspoon or 4g)
Calories: 5kcal
Author: Marta Rivera
Lemon Pepper Adobo Seasoning made from scratch is bright, garlicky, and better than store-bought.
Print Recipe
US Customary - Metric

Equipment

  • deli container or spice jar
  • desiccant packs to prevent clumping and moisture

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup crystallized lemon powder
  • 1/3 cup granulated garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup granulated onion powder
  • 3 tablespoons black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 tablespoon citric acid optional
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric optional

Instructions

  • Add the kosher salt, crystallized lemon powder, granulated garlic powder, granulated onion powder, black pepper, ground cumin, citric acid, dried oregano leaves, and ground turmeric to a large bowl or 16-ounce deli container.
  • Shake or whisk the ingredients together until combined.

For finer Lemon Pepper Adobo

  • Add the ingredients to a small blender and pulse 4 or 5 times to a powder.

Store Properly

  • Use a funnel to pour the lemon pepper adobo seasoning blend into spice jars or leave it in the deli container.
  • To prevent clumping, add one or two desiccant packs to the spice jar/container.
  • Use within 6 months.

Notes

How to Use Lemon Pepper Adobo Seasoning
  • 1 serving = 1 teaspoon or 4 grams
  • Use 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons per pound of protein (chicken, pork, beef, or seafood)
  • Sprinkle over roasted vegetables.
  • Toss with fries or potatoes.
  • Add to oil and vinegar to make marinades or dressings.
  • Finish grilled seafood or chicken with a light sprinkle of lemon pepper adobo.
Swaps and Substitutions
  • Use half kosher salt, half MSG to add more umami flavor to the lemon pepper adobo.
  • Omit the citric acid for less lemon flavor.
  • Add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper for spicy lemon pepper adobo.
  • Replace the ground turmeric with ground annatto or omit it if color is unimportant.
Tips and Techniques
  • If you don't want to buy desiccant packs, add a few grains of uncooked rice to help control moisture and prevent clumping.
  • Store lemon pepper adobo seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place, like a pantry or cabinet.
  • Keep the jar away from the stove, oven, or dishwasher since heat and steam can promote mold growth, dull flavor, and cause clumping.
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 850mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg