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Sunday, January 7, 2024

Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning

Do you love the flavor of Bay Leaves in your recipes? Learn how to make Penzy's Bay Leaf Seasoning! One of the most versatile seasonings to keep on hand in your kitchen! And one, you will love for the flavor and convenience. 

Years ago Penzy's Ltd made a wonderful seasoning blend called Bay Leaf Seasoning. 

And then they just stopped...I don't know why they stopped, but they did. Then one day when I went to the spice drawer to pull out the Bay Leaf Seasoning the jar was empty. I had no choice, I closed the drawer and made a mental note, to stop at the Penzy's Outlet Store on the way home from work. 

That night after work when I got to the outlet store, I learned the sad truth. Penzy's no longer made Bay Leaf Seasoning...I went ahead and picked up the other items I needed, but a new jar of Bay Leaf Seasoning was not one of them!  When I returned home, I was glad I kept the empty spice jar, because the label listed the ingredients by weight. 

Now, I am no chemist, but I had picked up some bay leaves, hoping I could re-create that blend. 

Using the ingredients listed I set about putting together my best guess concoction of what I believed could be Bay Leaf Seasoning. Ironically when I placed my homemade mixture into the empty spice jar, it filled the jar to the top. It sure looked like Penzy's Bay Leaf Seasoning, and it smelled like Bay Leaf Seasoning, I was hoping that it tasted like Bay Leaf Seasoning...as well. 

Sometimes you must take a leap of faith!

Being a fairly positive person, I decided to take the full jar as an omen, and proceeded to get some cooking done! I freely admit my nose does a much better job of detecting subtle flavor differences, than my taste buds. But it definitely passed the sniff test. And as it turned out, my homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning is pretty darn good and has been my stand-in now for over a decade, or longer. It looks like the real thing, smells like the real thing, and surprisingly tastes very (very!) close to the real thing. 

The label on the jar lists the ingredients in order of weight, so I calculated them by guess and by golly (with experience from a few decades of cooking and creating recipes.) and this is the recipe I offer below.  

Ingredients needed for this recipe:
  • bay leaves
  • thyme
  • rosemary
  • basil
  • dried onion
  • oregano
  • ground pepper
  • garlic salt
  • salt
You will also need the following:
  • coffee/spice grinder
  • measuring spoons
  • storage jar
Now we are ready to begin!


How to make Bay Leaf Seasoning, just like Penzy's!
Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning

Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning, like Penzeys!
by the seat of my pants!
UPDATED: 01.08.2024

1/2 oz. bag bay leaves
2 T thyme leaves
2 T rosemary leaves
1 T basil leaves
1 T dried onion
1 T oregano
1/2 t ground pepper
2 T garlic salt
1 T plain salt

If your bay leaves have a bit of stem, break it off and discard. 

Place the bay leaves in the spice grinder and process until finely ground. 

Add the remaining ingredients and process until powdery. 

Transfer to a spice jar with a tight fitting lid. And enjoy using this blend anywhere you enjoy delicious flavor! 

Storage options for Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning. Store in a covered spice jar or another small jar for up to one year. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning has been included below. 
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Printable "copy and paste" version:


Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning, like Penzeys!
by the seat of my pants!
UPDATED: 01.08.2024

1/2 oz. bag bay leaves
2 T thyme leaves
2 T rosemary leaves
1 T basil leaves
1 T dried onion
1 T oregano
1/2 t ground pepper
2 T garlic salt
1 T plain salt

If your bay leaves have a bit of stem, break it off and discard. 

Place the bay leaves in the grinder and process until finely ground. 

Add the remaining ingredients and process until powdery. 

Transfer to a spice jar with a tight fitting lid. And enjoy using this blend anywhere you enjoy delicious flavor! 

Storage options for Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning. Store in a covered spice jar or another small jar for up to one year. 
~~~~

Would you like to comment?

  1. Thanks for this. It is good to know that it lasts a year as well. I'm vegan, and this spce mixture adds much flavor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When Penzy's stopped making it I was heart sick, so when this turned out so well, I was quite happy. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

      Delete
  2. Interesting! I never tried the original, but it sounds like a great blend. Thanks for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #20 linkup. I hope to see you there next week, too, sharing more posts (old or new!).

    ReplyDelete
  3. As mentioned before, I will have to make this soon.
    Thanks for sharing at SSPS 292.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had never heard of by leaf seasoning before but it sounds like a wonderful herb/spice combination.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne, it is a nice but not over powering herb blend. We enjoy it often in many different dishes, even roasted vegetables!

      Delete
  5. Way to go Melynda! I'm a fly by the seat of my pants type of gal for some things too. I'm so happy to hear you nailed this. Lol.
    Thanks bunches and bunches for sharing your homemade bay leaf seasoning blend with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paula, thank you for such a great gathering of bloggers and friends! I appreciate being able to share with your readers.

      Delete

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