Best Citrus Peppercorn Mix Recipes

HOMEMADE LEMON-PEPPER SEASONING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Wash and dry the lemons. Peel away the zest from both lemons using a vegetable peeler, making sure not to get any of the pith. Spread out peels in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the peels have curled up and dried, about 30 minutes. Turn off oven and allow lemon peels to cool inside turned off oven, propping the door open with a wooden spoon to allow moisture to escape, about 20 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
• Combine dried lemon peels and peppercorns in a food processor fitted with a blade. Blend until coarse. Add dehydrated garlic and onion. Blend until fine and thoroughly combined.
• Remove and allow to rest for a few hours before using so flavors can meld.

HOMEMADE LEMON PEPPER SEASONING

Steps:

• Preheat toaster oven to lowest setting.
• In a large bowl, combine lemon zest and black pepper. Cover metal pan fitted for toaster oven with foil and spread mixture evenly in pan. Allow to bake low and slow until zest is completely dried. Mine took about 26-30 minutes.
• Transfer lemon-pepper mixture to a bowl. Using the back of a spoon (or spice grinder if you have one), crush mixture until desired texture is achieved. Mix in salt, 1 tsp at a time. Continue to add salt until you have the right balance to fit your taste.
• Notes.
• Depending on size of lemons, you may need more lemons.
• If you want more of a lemon taste, reduce pepper or add more lemon zest.
• Seasoning may be kept in an air tight container for a few months.

CITRUS AND PEPPERCORN DRY BRINE

Steps:

• Toast black, pink, and white peppercorns and bay leaves in a skillet until fragrant. Let cool, then crush in a bag using a rolling pin or heavy skillet. Mix with salt, sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest. Apply to turkey and after curing, rinse off and pat dry before roasting.
• DO AHEAD: Dry brine can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

SWEET BAY-PEPPERCORN SHRUB

Steps:

• Place the citrus peels in a medium bowl or a large jar. Add the sugar, peppercorns, salt, thyme, cloves and bay leaves.
• Use a muddler or the end of a rolling pin to muddle the mixture together, working the sugar mixture into the peels until the peels begin to express their oils and start to turn slightly translucent. Set aside at room temperature for at least 6 hours or overnight. Much of the sugar should be dissolved, and the citrus peels will be mostly translucent.
• Juice the reserved lemons and grapefruit. (You should have about 1¼ cups juice.) Add the juice to the mixture and stir (or cover and shake the jar) until the sugar and salt dissolve. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the solids and transfer to an airtight container. The shrub can be stored, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 month.

LIME PEPPER

Steps:

• Combine the lime zest, black pepper, and salt in an airtight jar. Shake to mix. Use in recipes where you would use lemon pepper.