How to Make Homemade Italian Herb Rub (Quick & Flavorful)

Skip the store-bought blends and make your own Homemade Italian Herb Rub in minutes! This flavorful mix of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and garlic is perfect for seasoning meats, roasted vegetables, pasta sauces, and more. Whether you're meal prepping or elevating a weeknight dinner, this DIY spice rub adds authentic Italian flair to any dish—using simple pantry staples you already have.

Herb Rub is usually any mixture of ground spices that is used to rub on raw food before cooking it, especially food that is to be grilled, pan fried or even baked. The herb rub usually forms that coat on the food giving it that extra flavor and texture. When using the herb rub, food can be marinated in the rub so that the flavors can be incorporated into the food intensifying the taste. Once the food is coated with the herb rub, it can either be cooked immediately or left for several hours before cooking. You can even remove the rub partially off the food before cooking it if you do not want too much herb flavour on your food. Most herb rubs use spices that are coarsely ground, so that the herbs do not disappear in the food while cooking. Sugar and salt may be added to the herb rub which adds a caramelized taste to the food. 

Sometimes a herb or spice herb can be as simple as just using black pepper, especially on stakes. When cooking with herb rubs, the most popular cooking method is using dry heat where you do not use any liquid or water. Such methods include Sauteing, Grilling, Baking and  Pan Roasting, especially when breadcrumbs or flour is used in the recipe. Dried herbs enhance food with their aroma and flavours. You can use your herb rub to stir into stews or soups, you can rub it on whole chicken when cooking stuffed chicken, you can sprinkle herb rub in your soups and dips, and you can even add it to roasted vegetables just before serving.
INGREDIENTS

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Sea Salt
2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
2 Tablespoons Dried Basil
2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley

INSTRUCTIONS
Add the brown sugar to a medium bowl

Add dried Oregano

Add dried Basil

Add dried Parsley

Add Sea Salt

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl

You already smell the lovely aroma from all these ingredients
Use a fork to combine all the ingredients until fully incorporated

You need to break up the pieces so that they are evenly distributed

You can even use your hands to rub the mixture so to get that flawless mixed herb texture

Only five ingredients and you get this lovely Italian Herb rub, how beautiful is that mixture? Homemade herb rubs are the best since you have a hand in the ration of herbs that you are mixing. Plus this ensures that you have fresh dried herbs.

When using the Italian herb rub, coat your meat with some oil first. Then sprinkle the rub over the top and rub it into the meat making sure the rub gets everywhere

Pour your Italian Herb Rub into an airtight container with a lid like a mason jar

This Italian Herb Rub can be used on Poultry, Fish or Pork

print recipe

HOMEMADE ITALIAN HERB RUB

by Mulunga Alukwe January-31-2018

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Sea Salt
• 2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
• 2 Tablespoons Dried Basil
• 2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley

Instructions

Add brown sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, sea salt and dried parsley into a bowlMix with a fork until well combinedPour in an airtight container. The rub can be stored for up to a week before using

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 1 mins Total time: 10 mins Yield: 1 Jar

Here are 20 recipe ideas using Italian Herb Rub, a flavorful blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and garlic that can elevate various dishes:

1. Grilled Chicken with Italian Herb Rub

• Rub chicken breasts or thighs with the Italian herb mix, then grill until cooked through. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables.

2. Italian Herb Roasted Vegetables

• Toss vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes with olive oil and Italian herb rub, then roast until tender.

3. Italian Herb Pasta

• Sprinkle Italian herb rub on freshly cooked pasta, then toss with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes for a simple, aromatic dish.

4. Herb-Crusted Salmon

• Coat salmon fillets with olive oil and Italian herb rub, then bake or grill until the fish is perfectly flaky.

5. Italian Herb Bread

• Add Italian herb rub to your bread dough for a fragrant, herb-filled loaf. Great for dipping in olive oil or serving alongside pasta.

6. Italian Herb Pizza

• Use the rub on pizza dough or sprinkle it over pizza before baking for an aromatic twist. Top with mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil.

7. Italian Herb Meatballs

• Add Italian herb rub to your meatball mixture along with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Bake or fry until golden brown.

8. Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin

• Coat pork tenderloin with Italian herb rub and olive oil, then roast until tender and juicy. Serve with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.

9. Italian Herb Grilled Shrimp

• Marinate shrimp in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and Italian herb rub, then skewer and grill for a delicious seafood dish.

10. Italian Herb Baked Chicken Wings

• Coat chicken wings with Italian herb rub and bake until crispy. Serve with a side of dipping sauce like ranch or marinara.

11. Italian Herb Roasted Potatoes

• Toss cubed potatoes with olive oil, Italian herb rub, and garlic, then roast in the oven until crispy and golden brown.

12. Herbed Goat Cheese Spread

• Mix Italian herb rub with goat cheese, cream cheese, and a bit of olive oil for a creamy, herb-infused spread for crackers or bread.

13. Italian Herb Grilled Vegetables

• Toss your favorite vegetables (like mushrooms, asparagus, and bell peppers) in olive oil and Italian herb rub, then grill until charred and tender.

14. Italian Herb Stuffed Mushrooms

• Stuff large mushroom caps with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herb rub, then bake until golden and bubbly.

15. Italian Herb Chicken Pasta Salad

• Toss cooked chicken with cooked pasta, roasted vegetables, and a generous sprinkle of Italian herb rub for a fresh and light pasta salad.

16. Italian Herb Marinade for Steak

• Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and Italian herb rub to marinate steaks. Grill or sear for a flavorful meal.

17. Italian Herb and Cheese Omelet

• Sprinkle Italian herb rub into an omelet along with cheese and sautéed vegetables for a delicious, herb-filled breakfast.

18. Italian Herb Roasted Turkey

• Rub a whole turkey with olive oil, garlic, and Italian herb rub, then roast it to perfection for a holiday or special dinner.

19. Italian Herb Crostini

• Brush slices of baguette with olive oil, sprinkle with Italian herb rub, then bake until crispy. Serve with a variety of toppings like tomato and basil.

20. Italian Herb Dipping Oil

• Combine olive oil with Italian herb rub, red pepper flakes, and a bit of balsamic vinegar for a flavorful dipping sauce for bread or focaccia.

These recipes showcase the versatility of Italian herb rub, adding robust, aromatic flavors to meats, vegetables, breads, and more. 

If you have been enjoying these foodie adventures, I would love to stay connected. Follow me on all my social platforms for real-time updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and event alerts. See behind-the-scenes looks and join conversations around all things delicious. Follow me on Instagram for beautiful food photos and quick reels. Find me on Facebook for longer stories and community chats. Join the fun on Twitter(X) where I share food thoughts and tips. Get creative with me on Pinterest where you can pin your favorite recipes for later. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for the full recipe creation. Leave a comment in the comment section and let's chat!