Dill pickle seasoning is a versatile spice blend that brings the tangy, garlicky, and salty flavors of dill pickles to a variety of dishes. It is a combination of various herbs and spices that's easy to make and a budget-friendly way to save money on spice blends!
Use your homemade pickling to enhance the flavor of homemade pickles but its use is not limited to pickling alone! This delicious seasoning can elevate the flavors of dips, snacks, chicken dishes, pork recipes, roasted vegetables, salad dressings, sauces, popcorn and so much more.
Creating your own seasoning blend is a simple and cost-effective process, and the best part is that this spice blend is fully customizable, allowing you to tailor the flavors to suit your taste preferences.
This was inspired by my Kraft tartar sauce copycat recipe and my 3 ingredient tartar sauce!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy Recipe. An incredibly easy-to-make dill pickle popcorn seasoning!
- Versatile Recipe. You can easily adjust the spice levels to match your preferences and create an unforgettable taste that adds depth to any dish.
- Great Way to Add Flavor. Enjoy this blend of bold flavors you can add to your popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, and more.
- Budget-Friendly Recipe. Making homemade spices is an easy way to save money on buying spice blends and use up spices in your pantry before they lose their flavor.
Ingredients
All you need are a handful of simple pantry ingredients. You may even already have them! Here's a look at what you need to grab.
- Dried Dill Weed and Dill Seed: Provides classic dill flavor and the dill seeds add a more intense dill flavor than the leaves.
- Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and preserves the seasoning. You can replace it with regular table salt or sea salt.
- Onion Powder and Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth and subtle sweetness to the seasoning blend.
- Coriander Seeds: Complements the dill flavor and adds subtle citrus notes and hints of sweetness.
- Ground Mustard: Works well with the flavors of the dill providing a tangy, pungent flavor boost.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions and Variations
Remember that creating the perfect homemade seasoning blend is about personal preference. Feel free to experiment with these ingredient substitutions and variations, adapting the blend to your taste and needs.
- Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the spice mixture for a bit of heat.
- More Seasoning: Add black pepper to enhance the flavors or allspice for a warm, aromatic, earthy undertone, while thyme leaves and crushed bay leaves add herbal layers of flavors to your mix.
How to Make Dill Pickle Seasoning
Making homemade seasoning blends is quick! Here's how to do it!
- Place all the ingredients in a spice grinder
- Grind the spices until they are mixed and finely ground.
- Transfer the mixture to a container or shaker to store.
⭐️ Hint: Finely grinding spices in a spice grinder or small coffee grinder is ideal to evenly distribute the flavors and create a smooth blend.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our homemade meatloaf seasoning recipe.
Storage
Here's how to store your dill pickle popcorn seasoning so it stays fresh and flavorful.
Store it in a cool, dry pantry, out of direct sunlight, in an airtight container or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, to help maintain its quality and taste.
Freezing the seasoning is also a great option for extended storage. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and store for up to 4 months.
Gently shake the container before using as some ingredients might have settled at the bottom.
How to Use Dill Pickle Seasoning
- Make a quick snack: Add a sprinkling to your favorite fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato slices, or already pickled vegetables to enhance their flavor.
- Roast Root Vegetables: Add a sprinkling of it on vegetables after they're tossed in oil before roasting. Root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, potatoes, and carrots work especially well.
- Add to Chicken, Fish, Pork, or Beef: Sprinkle seasoning on meat before grilling or baking to add a tangy flavor. You can also mix it with some oil to use it as a marinade.
- Add to Snacks: Add a sprinkling to boost the flavor of homemade or store-bought potato chips, popcorn, crackers, and other snacks.
- Add to Dips and Dressings: Add to make a dip with sour cream or to dressings to add dill pickle flavor.
- Add to Condiments: Adding a bit to mayo (to taste) or other condiments can instantly elevate your sandwiches and hamburgers.
- Make Pickles: Use cucumbers, rhubarb, cauliflower, green beans, beets, or your favorite combination to create some veggies that are full of flavor. Enhance our spicy pickles by adding a bit!
Tips
When it comes to creating the perfect pickled-flavored seasoning, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
- Use fresh dried spices. Most spices begin to lose their flavor and freshness after about six months. Watch expiration dates on spices and make sure to replace them with fresh ones as needed. This will guarantee the best flavors in your homemade seasoning blend.
- Grind your spices finely in a spice grinder or small coffee grinder. This more evenly distributes the flavors and ensures a smooth blend.
- Add dill pickle seasoning to foods based on your taste preferences. Start with a small amount and add more if needed.
FAQ
It's better to use dried dill in a seasoning blend because fresh dill has a high moisture content, which can cause the other ingredients in the blend to clump together or spoil. Dried dill also has a more concentrated flavor, making it a better option for a seasoning mix.
A small spice grinder or coffee grinder (that's clean!) works best but if you don't have one you can use a pestle and mortar. It is more hands-on than the grinder but you have better control over the coarseness of the mixture, making it suitable for adjusting the texture to match personal preferences. You can also use a food processor especially when making larger quantities of the seasoning blend. It's not as effective in achieving a fine grind as a dedicated spice grinder, but it can still produce satisfactory results, particularly when your recipe calls for less finely ground spices.
Dill pickles get their distinctive flavor from the combination of vinegar, salt, and various spices, including dill seed and dill weed. Additionally, the pickling process allows the cucumbers to absorb these flavors, resulting in a tangy and savory taste. The classic dill pickle recipe includes ingredients like pickling spices, dill seeds, dill sprigs, and a vinegar-salt solution for a flavorful pickle.
Yes, it can! It makes a great dry rub or can be added to a marinade for meats such as chicken, pork, and fish. The tangy and savory flavors of the seasoning pair well with many proteins.
Yes, it can be used in any pickling recipe! It's essential to ensure that the blend you're using does not contain any anti-caking agents or other additives that can interfere with the pickling process.
More Pickle Recipes
If you like pickles here they are all in one place in our Perfect Pickles - All Kinds of Hot and Sweet Pickles Recipes. Here are some of our favorite recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Dill Pickle Seasoning
Equipment
- Spice Grinder
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons dried dill weed
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dill seed
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a spice grinder and grind until fine.
- Transfer seasoning to a small sealable container.
Notes
- Use fresh dried spices. Most spices begin to lose their flavor and freshness after about six months. Watch expiration dates on spices and make sure to replace them with fresh ones as needed. This will guarantee the best flavors in your dill pickle seasoning blend.
- Grind your spices finely in a spice grinder or small coffee grinder. This more evenly distributes the flavors and ensures a smooth blend.
- Add dill pickle seasoning to foods based on your taste preferences. Start with a small amount and add more if needed.
Susan Schultz says
I tweaked this a little, added more dill seeds and weed and more salt. Turned out great! I'm going to try this out on my smoked pickle back wings. It should be epic!
Karin and Ken says
So glad you enjoyed this seasoning! Thank you for the suggestion I’m going to try it on wings myself! Take care and enjoy your day. Karin