If you want that bright, savory, salt-free seasoning blend without paying brand-name shaker prices, this homemade Mrs. Dash Copycat Seasoning Mix gets the job done. It leans on dried vegetable flakes, herbs, paprika, pepper, lemon peel, citric acid, and a little sun-dried tomato for a punchy all-purpose blend you can sprinkle on chicken, vegetables, eggs, potatoes, or plain old popcorn that needs to get its act together.
Because you blitz everything until powdery, the flavor distributes evenly instead of leaving you with one random chunk of tomato in an otherwise polite bite. Keep it in an airtight jar in a cool, dry cupboard and you’ll have a handy salt-free seasoning ready whenever dinner looks dull.
Ingredients
This blend keeps the ingredient list simple, but each one has a job. The dried vegetable flakes build the base, the herbs keep it garden-bright, paprika adds color and sweetness, and the lemon peel with citric acid gives it that familiar tangy finish.
- 1 cup dried vegetable flakes
- 4 teaspoons herbes fines
- 4 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 4 teaspoons parsley flakes
- 4 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried lemon peel
- 1 tablespoon citric acid powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 to 2 dried tomatoes, cut into slivers, not packed in oil
If you’re working with larger tomato pieces, snip them up before blending so they don’t just bounce around the machine like they own the place.
Instructions
- Place the dried vegetable flakes, herbes fines, sweet paprika, parsley flakes, black pepper, dried lemon peel, citric acid powder, garlic powder, celery seeds, and dried tomato slivers in a blender or spice grinder.
- Process until the mixture is finely powdered and evenly combined.
- Transfer the seasoning mix to a clean, dry spice jar, glass jar, zip-top bag, vacuum-seal bag, or another airtight container.
- Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
This makes about 1 1/2 cups seasoning mix, depending on how fine you grind it and how bulky your vegetable flakes are. A practical serving size is about 1 teaspoon, which gives you an estimated 72 servings.
Tips for Best Flavor
Grind the mix until it’s fine, not dusty. A powdery blend sticks better to food, but if you overwork it too long in a warm blender, the herbs can lose some of their punch.
Use completely dry ingredients only. Even one oil-packed tomato or a damp measuring spoon can shorten the shelf life and cause clumping. For best quality, store homemade seasoning blends airtight and away from heat and light. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension notes that seasoning blends keep best when protected from moisture, heat, and light.
If you make homemade blends often, a dedicated coffee grinder is worth it. Nobody wants cumin-scented lemon herb seasoning unless that was a very deliberate choice.
For more DIY pantry blends, take a look at Seasoning and Spice Mixes or try Garlic & Herb Seasoning Mix next.
Easy Variations
For a milder blend: Reduce the black pepper to 2 teaspoons. You’ll keep the herb-and-citrus flavor without as much bite.
For a stronger lemon note: Add another teaspoon of dried lemon peel, but don’t overdo the citric acid or the blend can tip from bright to harsh in a hurry.
For a chunkier table blend: Pulse just until mixed instead of grinding fully smooth. That works especially well if you want to sprinkle it over roasted vegetables or baked potatoes.
For homemade dried ingredients: If you’ve got onions drying in the oven already, this guide for How to Make Dried Onion Flakes at Home is handy to keep around.
Storage
Store the finished seasoning in an airtight spice jar or small mason jar in a cool, dark, dry cupboard. Because this is a dry blend, moisture is the main enemy. Keep it away from the stove, dishwasher steam, and that one cabinet over the kettle that turns into a sauna.
For best quality, use it within 6 months. That’s a conservative estimate based on guidance for herb and spice blends and the fact that dried tomatoes and citrus peel lose punch faster than whole spices. It will usually remain safe longer if kept dry, but the flavor fades first.
If the mix smells flat, looks faded, or starts clumping, it’s time to make a fresh batch. Dry blends are cheap to replace. Bland food is not worth the stubbornness.
Serving Ideas
Use this copycat seasoning the same way you’d use a salt-free table blend. Start with 1 teaspoon per pound of chicken, fish, pork, or vegetables, then adjust to taste after cooking.
- Sprinkle it over scrambled eggs or omelets
- Toss it with roasted potatoes or air-fryer fries
- Mix it into plain rice, pasta, or buttered noodles
- Season grilled chicken, turkey burgers, or baked fish
- Stir a little into sour cream or plain yogurt for a quick dip base
- Dust it over popcorn for a savory snack
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Mrs. Dash Copycat Seasoning Mix
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dried vegetable flakes |
$4.98 |
1 C. |
$0.88 |
|
Herbes fines |
$4.98 |
4 t. |
$0.73 |
|
Sweet paprika |
$1.24 |
4 t. |
$0.16 |
|
Parsley flakes |
$1.24 |
4 t. |
$0.17 |
|
Ground black pepper |
$2.48 |
4 t. |
$0.27 |
|
Dried lemon peel |
$6.99 |
1 T. |
$0.69 |
|
Citric acid powder |
$3.48 |
1 T. |
$0.19 |
|
Garlic powder |
$1.24 |
1 t. |
$0.04 |
|
Celery seeds |
$1.24 |
1/4 t. |
$0.01 |
|
Dried tomatoes |
$3.48 |
1 to 2 ≈ 1 count/package = 3 oz = 85.049 g ≈ 0.945 cup |
$10.44 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$13.58 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.19 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
- Dehydrated Vegetable Soup Mix, 12 oz
- Herbes Fines Seasoning, 0.7 oz
- Paprika, 2.12 oz
- Parsley Flakes, 0.25 oz
- Ground Black Pepper, 3 oz
- Dried Lemon Peel, 1.5 oz
- Citric Acid Powder, 3.5 oz
- Garlic Powder, 3.12 oz
- Celery Seed, 1.9 oz
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes, 3 oz
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mrs. Dash Copycat Seasoning Mix
Start with about 1 teaspoon per pound, then taste and add more after cooking if needed. Because this blend is salt-free, you can season a little more generously than a salty rub without crossing into that regrettable overdoing-it territory.
You can, but the flavor will be flatter and less like the bottled blend. Citric acid gives the mix that bright tangy finish, so if you leave it out, add an extra teaspoon of dried lemon peel and expect a softer citrus note instead of a sharp pop.
Use an equal amount of a mild dried herb blend built around parsley, chives, tarragon, or chervil-style flavors. Avoid heavy rosemary or sage blends here, because they’ll bulldoze the lighter lemon-and-vegetable profile pretty quickly.
A finer grind gives you better flavor in every bite. Big flakes and tomato slivers settle in the jar, so one spoonful tastes peppery and the next one tastes like dried garden confetti. Powdering the mix keeps it even and helps it stick to food.
Use bone-dry ingredients, a completely dry jar, and keep the container tightly closed between uses. If your kitchen runs humid, don’t shake the jar over a steaming pot. That’s basically inviting moisture in for free.
No, use dry sun-dried tomatoes only. Oil adds moisture and fat, which shortens shelf life, causes clumping, and can leave you with a paste instead of a free-flowing seasoning.
Yes, it’s designed to add flavor without relying on salt. The pepper, herbs, vegetable flakes, lemon peel, and citric acid make food taste brighter, which helps when you’re cutting back on sodium and don’t want dinner to taste like cardboard with opinions.
Absolutely, just keep the ratios exactly the same and blend in smaller batches if your machine is on the small side. Overfilling the blender gives you an uneven grind, and then half the mix is powder while the rest is hiking around as flakes.
A small glass spice jar with a tight-fitting lid works best because it limits air and moisture exposure. If you’re making a larger batch, fill one small shaker for daily use and keep the rest sealed separately so the whole batch isn’t opened every five minutes.
It works especially well on chicken, fish, eggs, potatoes, rice, steamed vegetables, and popcorn. Anywhere you’d normally reach for an all-purpose seasoning but want the flavor without the salt, this blend fits right in.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Mrs. Dash Copycat Seasoning Mix
Mrs. Dash Copycat Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried vegetable flakes
- 4 teaspoons herbes fines
- 4 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 4 teaspoons parsley flakes
- 4 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried lemon peel
- 1 tablespoon citric acid powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 to 2 dried tomatoes cut into slivers, not packed in oil
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the dried vegetable flakes, herbes fines, sweet paprika, parsley flakes, black pepper, dried lemon peel, citric acid powder, garlic powder, celery seeds, and dried tomato slivers in a blender or spice grinder.
- Process until the mixture is finely powdered and evenly combined.
- Transfer the seasoning mix to a clean, dry spice jar, glass jar, zip-top bag, vacuum-seal bag, or another airtight container.
- Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time is an estimate based on measuring, blending, and jarring the mix.
For best quality, store airtight in a cool, dark, dry cupboard and use within 6 months.
Use only dry sun-dried tomatoes, never oil-packed.
I really like this recipe because it has some variations that are helpful. I have some dietary restrictions, so it’s nice to have a few choices. I liked another reviewer’s idea of putting quantities to the changes (e.g., “increase salt to 3 teaspoons”), but I also like that it is more flexible in places, too (e.g., instead of adding an entire tablespoon of onion powder, you could try half). I don’t want to put my own spin on this too much or take anything away from the recipe by changing details, so here are some tips/tweaks:
If you have none of these spices already powdered in a jar, buy them pre-powdered – it will save time and effort.
Switch out the celery seed for celery salt . It’s a 50-50 split – so if you have two teaspoons of one, use one teaspoon of the other. If you don’t have either but want to try this recipe, substitute ¼ tsp table salt.
Add a dash of paprika and/or chili powder , especially if using a pre-mixed seasoning that is heavy on garlic or onion flavor. This will round it all out without being overwhelming. Try smoked paprika for fun!