Copycat Kinder’s Garlic & Herb Seasoning Recipe (Better Than Store-Bought!)

If you’ve ever shaken Kinder’s Garlic & Herb seasoning over chicken thighs or roasted potatoes, you know why the bottle empties so fast. That punchy garlic, the bright pop of lemon, the gentle heat from red chili flakes — it makes everything taste like you actually tried. The only problem? You’re paying premium spice-aisle prices for ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

This copycat Kinder’s Garlic & Herb seasoning recipe takes 5 minutes, costs a fraction of the store-bought bottle, and lets you control the salt, sugar, and heat. One batch fills a standard spice jar and keeps for months.

What Is Kinder’s Garlic & Herb Seasoning?

Kinder’s is a California-based BBQ brand famous for its rubs and seasoning blends. Their Garlic & Herb blend (and the Buttery Garlic & Herb variation) is a Mediterranean-leaning mix built around dried garlic, sea salt, lemon peel, red chili pepper, and classic herbs like oregano and basil, rounded out with a touch of onion and sugar.

The flavor profile is savory-forward with a citrusy brightness — which is exactly what we’re recreating here using everyday dried spices.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Version

• 5 minutes, one bowl. Measure, stir, done.
• Cheaper per ounce. Bulk pantry spices beat specialty blends every time.
• You control the salt. Cut it in half for a low-sodium blend, or skip it entirely.
• No fillers. No maltodextrin, dextrose, or anti-caking agents — just spices.
• Endlessly customizable. Want it smokier? Add smoked paprika. Spicier? Double the chili flakes.

Ingredients for Copycat Kinder’s Garlic & Herb Seasoning

Here’s everything you need (full measurements in the recipe card below):

• Granulated garlic — the backbone of the blend. Granulated holds up better than garlic powder, but powder works too.
• Fine sea salt — Kinder’s uses sea salt; fine grain distributes evenly.
• Dried lemon peel (lemon zest) — this is the signature ingredient. Find it in the spice aisle, or dry your own zest in a low oven.
• Dried oregano and dried basil — the “herb” in garlic & herb.
• Onion powder — adds savory depth behind the garlic.
• Red pepper flakes (crushed) — a gentle warmth, not real heat.
• Cane sugar — just a touch to balance and help with browning.
• Dried parsley — for color and a fresh, grassy note.
• Black pepper — optional, but a small amount rounds out the blend.

Pro tip: For the Buttery Garlic & Herb experience, add 1 tablespoon of butter powder, or simply melt real butter into the dish after seasoning.

How to Make It (Step by Step)

1. Measure all ingredients into a small bowl.
2. Lightly crush the red pepper flakes and dried lemon peel with the back of a spoon (or pulse the whole mix 2–3 times in a spice grinder) so no single piece dominates.
3. Whisk until evenly combined.
4. Transfer to an airtight spice jar or small mason jar.
5. Label and date the jar — it keeps its best flavor for about 6 months.

How to Use Garlic & Herb Seasoning

This blend is wildly versatile. Use about 1 tablespoon per pound of protein or 2 teaspoons per pound of vegetables:

• Chicken: Rub on thighs, breasts, or wings before grilling, baking, or air frying — it’s perfect on these Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Bites or juicy Air Fryer Greek Chicken Thighs.
• Seafood: Sprinkle on salmon, shrimp, or white fish with a drizzle of olive oil. Try it on this easy Air Fryer Salmon, or browse more Air Fryer Seafood Recipes for inspiration.
• Vegetables: Toss with potatoes, zucchini, broccoli, or carrots before roasting — use it in place of the seasoning in these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes.
• Pasta: Stir a teaspoon into garlic butter pasta or creamy alfredo for an instant flavor boost.
• Bread: Mix with softened butter for instant garlic-herb bread — or shake it over this Air Fryer Garlic Toast before it goes in the basket.
• Popcorn & fries: Dust over hot, freshly cooked batches the moment they come out of the air fryer.
• Compound butter: Blend 1 tablespoon into a stick of softened butter, roll in parchment, and refrigerate. For next-level flavor, mash in a clove of Air Fryer Roasted Garlic too.

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark cabinet — away from the stove, where heat and steam degrade spices. The blend stays fresh for up to 6 months, though the lemon peel is most vibrant in the first 3. If the aroma fades, it’s still safe — just use a bit more.

Variations

• Low-sodium: Cut salt to 1 teaspoon or replace with a salt substitute.
• Spicy: Double the red pepper flakes or add ¼ teaspoon cayenne.
• Smoky: Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
• Buttery: Add 1 tablespoon butter powder for that “Buttery Garlic & Herb” flavor.
• Italian-leaning: Add ½ teaspoon dried thyme and ½ teaspoon dried rosemary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in Kinder’s Garlic and Herb seasoning? The store-bought blend centers on sea salt, dried garlic, lemon peel and lemon juice, chili pepper, onion, a touch of cane sugar, and Mediterranean herbs like oregano and basil. This copycat recipe recreates that profile with whole pantry spices and no fillers.

Can I use fresh garlic instead of granulated? Not for a shelf-stable blend — fresh garlic introduces moisture and spoils quickly. Save fresh garlic for the dish itself and keep the jar blend 100% dried ingredients.

Is this seasoning gluten-free? Yes — every ingredient in this homemade version is naturally gluten-free. Always double-check individual spice labels if you have celiac disease, since cross-contamination varies by brand.

How much should I use per pound of meat? Start with 1 tablespoon per pound of chicken, pork, or fish. For vegetables, 2 teaspoons per pound is plenty. You can always add more after cooking.

Can I make a salt-free version? Absolutely. Omit the salt entirely and the blend still works beautifully — just salt the dish to taste while cooking. (Kinder’s sells a no-salt version for the same reason.)

More Homemade Seasoning Blends You’ll Love

If you loved this copycat Kinder’s Garlic & Herb seasoning, you’ll want to try these other DIY blends:

• Copycat Kinder’s The Blend Mix — the perfect companion post, another Kinder’s favorite made at home
• Copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning — the classic green-cap all-purpose blend
• Copycat Lawry’s Seasoned Salt — a 5-minute homemade version of the original seasoned salt
• Copycat McCormick’s Smash Seasoning — smoky burger seasoning for smash burgers and fries
• Copycat McCormick Smokehouse Maple — sweet-smoky blend for pork, chicken, and salmon
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning (McCormick Copycat) — mild and tangy for chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas
• Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix — equals one store packet per batch