Homemade Tuscan Seasoning Blend
Tuscan seasoning costs anywhere from $5 to $8 a jar at the store. You probably already have most of these seven herbs and spices in your pantry right now. Mix them together and you’ve got a batch for under $0.18 — and it lasts up to two years in a sealed jar. That’s the whole point.
This blend works on chicken, fish, pork, roasted vegetables, pasta, flatbread, and soups. It’s the kind of seasoning that earns a permanent spot on the spice shelf because it goes with nearly everything.
You’ll Need:
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary, crushed
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
Homemade Tuscan Seasoning Blend
Place the fennel seeds in a zip-top bag, seal it halfway, and use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy mug to crush them into coarse pieces. (A mortar and pestle works too — whatever you’ve got.)
Measure all remaining ingredients into a small bowl and add the crushed fennel. Stir until evenly combined. Transfer to a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
💡 Expert Tip: Crush the fennel seeds before measuring — they’re bulkier whole and the volume changes after crushing. Crushed fennel releases the anise oils that make Tuscan seasoning taste distinctly Italian rather than just herby. Don’t skip this step or swap in fennel powder — the texture and flavor aren’t the same.
To Use:
Whisk 1 to 2 teaspoons of Tuscan seasoning into olive oil and use it as a marinade or finishing drizzle.
Rub it directly onto chicken thighs or a pork loin before roasting. Toss 2 teaspoons with a pound of sliced vegetables and a tablespoon of olive oil before roasting at 400°F.
Stir a teaspoon into softened butter and spread over bread before toasting.
It’s also excellent stirred into white bean soup, mixed into ground beef for meatballs, or combined with cream cheese as a quick appetizer spread. The rosemary-fennel combination is especially good on salmon — use about half a teaspoon per fillet.
Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dry spot away from the stove. Properly stored, this blend keeps its full potency for up to two years. Give the jar a shake before each use since the lighter herbs can settle toward the top.
Yield:Makes just over 5 tablespoons — enough for several uses depending on the recipe.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Homemade Tuscan Seasoning Blend
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Used in Recipe |
Cost |
Dried rosemary (2 tbsp) |
Great Value Rosemary Leaves, 0.8 oz |
$2.54 |
~15% of jar |
$0.38 |
Dried basil (1 tbsp) |
Great Value Basil Leaves, 0.8 oz |
$1.08 |
~10% of jar |
$0.11 |
Dried thyme (1 tbsp) |
Great Value Thyme Leaves, 0.75 oz |
$2.12 |
~12% of jar |
$0.25 |
Dried marjoram (2 tsp) |
Great Value Organic Marjoram, 0.4 oz |
$4.80 |
~17% of jar |
$0.82 |
Onion powder (2 tsp) |
Great Value Onion Powder, 3.4 oz |
$1.98 |
~4% of jar |
$0.08 |
Garlic powder (1½ tsp) |
Great Value Garlic Powder, 3.4 oz |
$1.98 |
~3% of jar |
$0.06 |
Fennel seeds (1 tsp) |
Great Value Organic Fennel Seed, 1.6 oz |
$4.36 |
~6% of jar |
$0.26 |
Summary |
Cost |
🧺 Total Batch Cost (makes 5+ tablespoons) |
$1.96 |
🏪 Comparable Store-Bought Tuscan Blend (1.5–2 oz jar) |
$5.00–$8.00 |
💰 You Save Per Batch |
Up to $6.04 |
Walmart prices verified at time of publication. Ingredient costs reflect the portion used in this recipe, not the full package. To see exactly how these numbers are calculated, visit our recipe cost calculator — it walks you through figuring out the true per-batch price of anything you make from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Tuscan Seasoning Mix
What is Tuscan seasoning made of?
Tuscan seasoning is a blend of dried herbs and spices common in central Italian cooking. A classic homemade version uses crushed rosemary, dried basil, dried thyme, marjoram, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed fennel seeds. Some commercial blends add oregano, sage, or red pepper flakes, but the rosemary and fennel combination is the defining flavor.
What can I substitute for marjoram in Tuscan seasoning?
Dried oregano is the closest substitute — use slightly less since oregano is sharper and more pungent than the mild, floral marjoram. A 1:1 swap works in a pinch but the flavor will be bolder. If you have neither, a pinch of dried thyme and a tiny bit of dried sage together approximate marjoram’s gentle herbaceous quality.
Can I use ground fennel instead of fennel seeds?
Yes, but reduce the amount by about half. Ground fennel is significantly more concentrated than crushed whole seeds. Start with half a teaspoon of ground fennel in place of the 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds, taste the blend, and adjust from there. The texture will also be finer, which is fine for most uses.
How long does homemade Tuscan seasoning last?
Stored in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dry location away from direct heat and light, this blend keeps full potency for up to two years. After that it won’t make you sick but the flavor fades. Test it before using — rub a pinch between your fingers. If it smells dull or has no aroma, it’s time to mix a fresh batch.
What is Tuscan seasoning used for?
This blend works across a wide range of dishes. Rub it directly onto chicken thighs, pork loin, or salmon before roasting. Toss it with olive oil and vegetables before roasting. Stir it into soups, white beans, or pasta sauce. Mix it into ground beef or pork for meatballs or sausage. Blend it into softened butter or cream cheese for a quick spread. Whisk it into olive oil with a splash of red wine vinegar for a fast marinade or dipping oil.
Is Tuscan seasoning the same as Italian seasoning?
Close, but not the same. Italian seasoning is typically a broader blend dominated by oregano and basil, sometimes with rosemary and thyme. Tuscan seasoning leans heavier on rosemary, includes marjoram (which Italian blends often skip), and gets its distinctive flavor from crushed fennel seeds — something almost no Italian seasoning blends include. Think of Tuscan as a regional, more aromatic version of Italian seasoning.
How much Tuscan seasoning do I use per pound of chicken?
For a direct dry rub, use 1 to 1½ teaspoons per pound of chicken. For a wet marinade, whisk 2 teaspoons of the blend with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon, then coat the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes. For soups or sauces, start with 1 teaspoon per quart of liquid and adjust to taste.
Can I double or triple this recipe?
Absolutely. This recipe scales perfectly — just multiply every ingredient by the same amount. A double batch fills a standard 4-ounce spice jar neatly. If you’re making it as a gift or stocking up before the holidays, a triple batch fits a half-pint mason jar and costs under $0.60 to make.
Is this Tuscan seasoning gluten-free?
Yes — every ingredient in this blend is naturally gluten-free. Single-ingredient dried herbs and spices do not contain gluten. If you’re buying packaged spices due to a celiac diagnosis, check the individual labels for any shared-equipment warnings, but Great Value brand spices available at Walmart are generally produced without gluten-containing ingredients.
What’s the cheapest way to buy herbs and spices for this recipe?
Buy Great Value brand at Walmart for everyday pantry staples like garlic powder, onion powder, basil, rosemary, and thyme — they’re a fraction of the cost of name brands with comparable flavor. For less-common spices like marjoram and fennel seeds, check the Hispanic foods aisle where bulk or larger sizes are often sold significantly cheaper than the spice aisle equivalent. Buying in bulk online also drops the per-ounce cost dramatically if you make a lot of homemade seasoning blends.
Tried this recipe? Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101
📌 Love this Homemade Tuscan Seasoning Blend from Scratch Recipe? Pin it!
🖨️ Print-Friendly Tuscan Seasoning Blend Recipe
Homemade Tuscan Seasoning Blend
Equipment
Instructions
- Place fennel seeds in a zip-top bag. Seal halfway and crush with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy mug until coarsely ground. A mortar and pestle works too.1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- Measure all ingredients into a small bowl. Stir until evenly combined.2 tablespoons dried rosemary1 tablespoon dried basil1 tablespoon dried thyme2 teaspoons dried marjoram2 teaspoons onion powder1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- Transfer to an airtight glass jar. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and light for up to 2 years.
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 cooking/baking time.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!If you’re stocking your spice shelf one blend at a time, our Homemade Baja Seasoning Blend is the next one to mix up – eight spices, three minutes, and it turns an ordinary fish taco night into something worth repeating.
