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Easy Homemade Herb Salt Recipes: Seasoning Game Changer

You guys know I’m all about squeezing every ounce of flavor out of my humble herb garden! And I’ve realized one of the tastiest ways is blending up seasoned salts to shake pizazz over everything from popcorn to pork. Making your own herb salt blends is a total game changer!

After so many overflowing harvests, I’m looking at you basil plants! I now regularly combine salt with rosemary, oregano, garlic and whatever abundance I’ve got into custom mixes. Trust me, having this flavor power punch on hand takes dinners, salads, even scrambled eggs over the top. And nothing beats gifting a jar of homemade blend sprinkled with garden love to share the gift of making dishes burst with goodness.

Want to join me in exploring the beautiful flexibility of herb salt? Let’s play with textures and flavors mixing and matching herbs until we strike affordable kitchen gold! A little creativity stretches salt’s potential bringing out the best in humble harvests.

Salt in a jar with a pretty wooden top.

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Basics of Herb Salt Making

Making herb salt is a simple and easy way to add flavor to your dishes. Herb salt is a blend of dried herbs and salt that can be used in place of regular salt. In this section, we will go over the basics of herb salt making, including choosing your herbs and selecting the right salt.

Choosing Your Herbs

When making herb salt, it’s important to choose herbs that complement each other and the dish you will be using them in. Some popular herbs to use in herb salt include rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, and sage. You can also experiment with other herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill.

When selecting your herbs, make sure they are fresh and dry. Fresh herbs will provide the best flavor, but if you don’t have access to fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs instead. To dry fresh herbs, simply hang them upside down in a dry, dark place until they are completely dry. For more information visit my helpful article, How to Dry and Store Your Homegrown Herbs.

Scissors clipping rosemary.

Selecting the Right Salt

When making herb salt, it’s important to use the right type of salt. Kosher salt is the most commonly used salt in herb salt recipes because it has a larger grain size, which makes it easier to mix with the herbs. However, you can also use sea salt or Himalayan pink salt.

It’s important to note that different types of salt have different flavors, so you should choose a salt that complements the flavors of your herbs. For example, if you are using rosemary and thyme in your herb salt, you may want to choose a salt that has a slightly earthy flavor to complement the herbs.

Making herb salt is a simple and easy way to add flavor to your dishes. When choosing your herbs, make sure they are fresh and dry, and complement each other and the dish you will be using them in. When selecting your salt, choose a salt that complements the flavors of your herbs.

Salt in a ball jar.

Classic Herb Salt Recipes

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add flavor to your dishes, herb salt is a great option. Here are two classic herb salt recipes that you can make at home.

Homemade Rosemary Salt

Rosemary and thyme are two herbs that go well together in many dishes, and this herb salt recipe is no exception. To make rosemary thyme salt, you’ll need:

Ingredients:

Supplies:

  • Measuring cups
  • Mason Jar
  • Food Processor
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment paper

Instructions

Making the salt:

  1. To measure the correct amount of salt, carefully pour it into the ball jar.
  2. Strip the rosemary needles from the stems.
  3. Place the salt and the rosemary in a food processor.
  4. Pulse the ingredients 5-10 times, or until the herbs are ground to your desired texture.
  5. If you’re using fresh herbs, evenly spread the mixture on a cookie sheet (covered with parchment paper – optional). Leave the sheet out to dry for a few hours otherwise, the salt will clump.

Note: If you are using 2-3 tablespoons of dried rosemary, you can skip step number 5. Additionally, if you do not have a food processor, a blender or a clean coffee grinder will work.

Rosemary salt is perfect for seasoning roasted meats, vegetables, and potatoes. You can also sprinkle it on top of bread dough before baking for a delicious homemade herb bread.

Putting died rosemary in the food processor with salt.

Lemon Basil Salt

If you’re looking for a bright and fresh herb salt recipe, lemon basil salt is a great option. To make lemon basil salt, you’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup coarse sea salt
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  1. Combine the basil, salt, and lemon zest in a food processor and pulse until the herbs are finely chopped and well combined.
  2. Spread the herb salt mixture out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the salt is completely dry.
  4. Let the herb salt cool, then store it in an airtight container.

Lemon basil salt is perfect for seasoning fish, chicken, and vegetables. You can also sprinkle it on top of popcorn for a delicious and unexpected snack.

Fresh basil leaves with lemons.

Creative Twists on Traditional Blends

Looking for something new to spice up your meals? Try these creative twists on traditional herb salt blends to add some excitement to your dishes.

Spicy Herb Salt Variations

If you’re a fan of heat, try adding some spice to your herb salt blends. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Cajun Spice Herb Salt: Mix together sea salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme for a blend that packs a spicy punch.
  • Sriracha Herb Salt: Combine sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and a drizzle of sriracha sauce for a zesty blend that’s perfect for adding some heat to eggs, vegetables, and more.
  • Jalapeño Herb Salt: Roast jalapeños and blend them with sea salt, garlic powder, and dried cilantro for a spicy, flavorful blend that’s perfect for seasoning meats and seafood.

Sweet and Savory Combinations

Looking for something a little more unique? Try adding some sweetness to your herb salt blends for a delicious twist on traditional flavors. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Honey Herb Salt: Mix together sea salt, dried rosemary, dried thyme, garlic powder, and a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory blend that’s perfect for seasoning chicken and pork.
  • Maple Herb Salt: Combine sea salt, dried sage, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet and smoky blend that’s perfect for seasoning roasted vegetables and meats.
  • Orange Herb Salt: Blend together sea salt, dried orange zest, dried thyme, and a pinch of black pepper for a bright and citrusy blend that’s perfect for seasoning fish and poultry.

Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique blends. With a little creativity, you’ll be able to add some excitement to your meals in no time!

The supplies for this herb salt. jar, salt, rosemary, twine, food processor.

Usage Tips for Herb Salts

Herb salts are a versatile and flavorful addition to any kitchen. They can be used in a variety of dishes to add depth and complexity to your meals. Here are some usage tips to help you get the most out of your herb salts:

Cooking with Herb Salts

One of the easiest ways to use herb salts is to sprinkle them on your favorite dishes. You can use them as a finishing salt on meats, vegetables, and grains. They also work well in marinades and rubs for meats and fish.

Here are some specific ways to use herb salts in your cooking:

  • Mix herb salt when you make polenta or when you cook your grains.
  • Use herb salt as a seasoning for homemade bread or pizza dough.
  • Add herb salt to pasta water for an extra boost of flavor.
  • Mix herb salt into scrambled eggs or omelets for a tasty breakfast.

Preservation and Storage

To get the most out of your herb salts, it’s important to store them properly. Herb salts can last for a long time if they are stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Here are some tips for preserving and storing your herb salts:

  • Make sure to use kosher salt when making herb salt. This type of salt is less processed than table salt and will help to preserve the herbs.
  • Use fresh herbs when making herb salt. Dried herbs can be used, but they won’t have as much flavor.
  • Store herb salt in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Herb salt can last for several months if stored properly.
  • Avoid storing herb salt in a humid environment, as moisture can cause the salt to clump together.

By following these usage tips, you can take your cooking to the next level with the delicious flavor of herb salts.

A pile of herb salt with a salt shaker.

Pairing Herb Salts with Foods

Herb salts are a great way to add flavor to your dishes and elevate your cooking. Here are some ideas on how to pair herb salts with different types of foods.

Meats and Vegetables

Herb salts work well with a variety of meats and vegetables. For example, rosemary herb salt pairs well with roasted potatoes and chicken. Thyme herb salt is a great addition to grilled vegetables like zucchini and eggplant. Sage herb salt can be used to season pork chops or roasted butternut squash.

Here are some other herb salt and meat/vegetable pairings to try:

Herb SaltMeat/Vegetable
Garlic herb saltSteak, roasted broccoli
Basil herb saltGrilled fish, tomato salad
Oregano herb saltLamb chops, roasted carrots
Dill herb saltGrilled salmon, cucumber salad

Soups and Salads

Herb salts can also be used to add flavor to soups and salads. For example, a sprinkle of thyme herb salt can enhance the flavor of a creamy potato soup. A citrus herb salt can be used to season a refreshing summer salad with mixed greens and sliced strawberries.

Here are some other herb salt and soup/salad pairings to try:

Herb SaltSoup/Salad
Rosemary herb saltTomato soup, Caesar salad
Cumin herb saltBlack bean soup, Southwest salad
Bay leaf herb saltChicken noodle soup, Greek salad
Ginger herb saltCarrot ginger soup, Asian slaw

Experiment with different herb salts and foods to find your favorite pairings. Remember to use herb salts sparingly, as they can be quite potent.

Whipping up homemade herb salts truly unlocks cooking potential like no grocery store blend. This perfect way to preserve abundant basil, rosemary or sage leaves from the garden shines all year long. Simply package up your homemade herbal salt blend in an airtight glass jar sealed with a cork lid and pair it with a recipe card listing the salt’s herbs to gift to foodie friends – it makes for a unique and thoughtful present.

A jar with rosemary salt as gift. it has a gift tag attached.

Download the Free Printable gift tag.

I hope these flavored salt ideas showed how achievable infusing your own is! Start simply by pulsing fresh ingredients like garlic cloves to make your own garlic salt or lime zest with coarse salt for a refreshing herb mixture. Then advance to mixing custom salad topper blends dialing in favorite herbs, salts and zests like a seasoned pro over time.

Please tag or email me your fabulous homemade herb salt successes. And contact me if any questions arise about harvesting, blending or deploying these humble yet impactful pantry powerhouse staples.

Happy Seasoning!

My signature. A drawing of me sitting with a cup of coffee and a rosemary topiary next to me.

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