Calling all pizza lovers — exploring some popular seasonings and herbs can help add extra flavor and complexity to your meals. Whether you want to stick with common herbs like basil and oregano or switch up your flavors with thyme, dill and fennel, various seasonings can enhance your pizza.
18 Best Seasonings for Pizza
From delicious Hawaiian pizza to popular Mediterranean or Margherita pizza, various seasonings and herbs can help enhance flavors or increase your enjoyment of the popular dish. Here are 18 of the best seasonings and herbs for pizza.
1. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese that can be grated, shredded or shaved over the top of pizza after it has finished baking. Many restaurants add Parmesan to pizza crust for extra flavor. It tastes best with Sicilian, Hawaiian or Margherita pizzas as a garnish.
2. Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning combines herbs like basil, thyme, chili flakes, garlic powder, rosemary, parsley and oregano. Some blends also incorporate dried sage or fennel seeds. Italian seasoning adds extra flavor to traditional-style pizza.
3. Oregano
Oregano is another popular herb used on pizza that adds rich flavor and smell. It enhances the taste of tomato sauce and traditional pizza flavors with earthy, warm and peppery tones. Oregano blends sweet and bitter tastes and pairs well with salty pizza toppings like spicy pepperoni, dried meats, olives and capers.
4. Garlic
Garlic can be minced, chopped or sprinkled using garlic powder. The herb adds a homey, warm flavor to pizza and enhances the taste of tomato or white sauce when distributed evenly across the pizza. Use garlic powder, garlic salt or roasted cloves chopped and sprinkled over the pizza.
5. Red Pepper Flakes
Crushed red pepper flakes add spice to pizza and are made from dried red chili peppers. Sprinkle them sparingly over the top of the pizza for a bit of heat and flavor. Red pepper flakes taste great on pizza before or after baking.
6. Parsley
Parsley has a fresh taste and is often combined with other herbs like oregano or basil. It has a strong flavor and smell and can be chopped finely or used in large sprigs as a garnish.
7. Basil
Basil is one of the most popular herbs used on pizza. Often found on classic pizzas like Margherita, basil has a fresh, vibrant flavor that complements other ingredients and toppings. Add it to pizzas with tomatoes, onions, olives, mushrooms or garlic. Use fresh basil or sprinkle dried basil over the top of the pizza.
8. Thyme
Thyme is an herb often used in Mediterranean-style dishes and can be used individually or with mild or sweet toppings. It has a unique flavor and enhances the taste of tomatoes and onions. Use the whole thyme as a garnish or chop it into fine pieces for sprinkling.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary has a savory, woody flavor with a fragrant aroma and taste. It is often paired with herbs like thyme, basil and oregano for a deep, complex pizza flavor. Make sure you add rosemary after baking and apply the herb sparingly. Too much rosemary can sometimes be too intense or fragrant.
10. Black Pepper
Black pepper can be sprinkled over pizza before baking or after cooking. It is easy to use and pairs well with other spices, seasonings and toppings. Black pepper and salt can bring out the flavors of traditional sauces and pizza toppings while enhancing the overall taste. Many pizza lovers also appreciate black pepper for its health effects and benefits.
11. Curry Powder
Curry powder is made from spices and ingredients, mainly turmeric. It has a yellow color and mild flavor but can be combined with spices like cumin, coriander or fenugreek for a unique taste. Some cooks also incorporate mustard seed, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, fennel or black pepper. Curry powder has a sweet, savory taste, warm tone and earthy brightness. You can sprinkle curry powder over pizza for a truly unique flavor.
12. Dill
Use fresh or dried dill on your pizza for a unique flavor combination. Many pizza enthusiasts enjoy fresh dill for a robust and aromatic flavor. You can also chop up the seasoning or sprinkle the powder over pizza. In other cases, you can use sprigs or fronds of dill as a garnish. Dill pairs well with sweet or mildly spicy pizza toppings like tomatoes or roasted vegetables with various seasonings or dry rubs.
13. Harissa Powder
Harissa powder is a ground blend of spices often found in North African and Middle Eastern dishes. If you want to add a kick of spice, consider using this powder made from smoked chili peppers. Some pizza lovers like to use the powder as a dry rub on pizza toppings like meats and vegetables. When sprinkled on top of pizza, your meal will have a garlicky, smokey flavor.
14. Cumin
Cumin seeds are hand-harvested and have a small boat shape with a brown-yellow color. You can also find cumin seeds with black, white or green coloring. The seasoning is often used in Indian, Middle Eastern and Mexican dishes, either as whole seeds or ground into fine powder.
The seasoning is often used as an ingredient in chili powder, garam masala, adobos, achiote, curry powder, berbere or baharat. Cumin has a warm, sweet flavor with a hint of bitterness and earthy tones. You can use toasted cumin seeds for enhanced flavors or sprinkle cumin powder on top of the pizza.
15. Fennel
Fennel can be used in many forms, such as a garnish, as fresh fronds, or chopped finely and sprinkled over pizza. Fennel has a sweet, nutty flavor. Some pizza lovers enjoy roasting the bulbs before placing them as toppings for extra flavor.
16. Paprika
Paprika is a seasoning made from dried, ground sweet and hot peppers. It is often found in Hungarian or Spanish cuisines and can be sprinkled on pizza before or after cooking. Some pizza lovers prefer to season their toppings with paprika before cooking, such as meats or vegetables. Paprika can be easily sprinkled or combined with other herbs to create a unique pizza combination.
17. Lemon Flakes
When finely grated or sprinkled over the top, adding lemon flakes to your pizza adds a bright, zesty flavor. Due to its fresh, tangy taste, lemon flakes pair well with veggie toppings or seafood pizza. Lemon balances out rich, heavy toppings and can be infused with olive oil and used as a dipping sauce or pizza topping.
18. Onion Powder
Onion powder offers a sweet and savory flavor to your pizza. It balances out rich and heavy toppings when sprinkled over the top of the pizza. If you want to add onion flavoring to your pizza without cooking or chopping fresh onions, consider using onion powder as a replacement.
Test Out Seasonings and Herbs on Giordano’s Pizzas
Giordano’s was founded in 1974 on the south side of historic Chigaco. We’ve served many happy and loyal customers, and critics consistently praise our pizza. Our stuffed pizza is considered the best in the city, and fans love our starters, salads, pasta and sandwiches. Using our reliable delivery service, consider testing your favorite seasonings and herbs on our pizzas.
Find what flavors work for you and eat some of the most delicious pizzas in the area. Contact us today to place a carryout order or place a delivery order online.
