Imagine creating your own custom-flavored herbal salt right in your own kitchen, adding a personal touch to your dishes, and impressing friends and family with your culinary creativity. Get ready to explore the world of homemade herbal salt, learn a simple recipe, and discover numerous ways to make your meals even more delicious.

I have added this special homemade salt to every Christmas as presents for the past three years because family and friends cannot get enough of this fresh taste.

Key Takeaways

• Create your own herb salt with fresh or dried herbs for a unique flavor.

• Use a food processor to mix the ingredients together, then store in an airtight container.

• Enhance dishes with your homemade herbal salt, and give it as a thoughtful gift!

Choosing the Right Herbs for Your Herb Salt

The first time I experienced herbal salt was at a hotel that had specialized salts for guests to put on boiled eggs in the mornings. The herb salts were different flavors and were made locally. I enjoyed that experience so much, I decided to start making my own with garden fresh herbs to level up the taste.

Selecting the right herbs is a critical step in creating a great herb salt. While rosemary and thyme are popular choices, don’t be afraid to get creative with your combinations and seasonings. For instance, you could try:

• dried chili

• chili flakes

• minced garlic

• paprika

• curry powder

• vanilla

• lemon zest

• lime zest

• sage leaves

• fresh rosemary

• red pepper flakes

• garlic cloves

Remember, the key is to choose the best herbs and flavors that complement your dishes and personal taste preferences.

For a basic herb salt recipe, mix sea salt with fresh or dried herbs in a ratio of 2 cups of salt per 1/2 cup of fresh herb from the garden, ensuring the stems are removed. Keep the ratio consistent so that there is enough salt to keep the herb from going bad.

Feel free to adjust the basic recipe to your liking, keeping in mind that it’s already salty and you may need to modify the amount of extra salt you add to recipes.

Fresh vs Dried Herbs

Both fresh and dried herbs have distinct advantages when used in herb salt. Here are three different methods you can use:

1. Use fresh herbs and store the infused herb salt in the fridge or on the counter.

2. Use fresh herbs and dry it with salt at room temperature.

3. Simply use dried herbs (home-dried or store-bought).

Regardless of their differences, delicious herb salt can be produced using either fresh or dried herbs. Just remember that herbs tend to lose their flavor after a few months, so it’s best to use your herb mixture within that time frame. But the herbs in the salt can sit on the counter with no refrigeration and still give you summer garden flavors with each use.

When working with dried herbs, simply skip the step of washing the herbs and ensure proper air circulation during the drying process to prevent mold and ensure even drying.

Preparing and Mixing Your Herbal Salt

Before you start with the herb salt recipe, wash the leftover herbs and remove the stems from the leaves. You can discard or compost the stems. Allow the washed herbs to air dry for about an hour, ensuring all the moisture has disappeared.

Pick out a salt that has health benefits and give nutritional value. I would stay away from plain table salt or pickling salt. Types of salts that work well for this herb salt recipe include Himalayan salt, Kosher salt, sea salt, which you can use coarse sea salt or fine.

Following that, here’s how you can make the herb salt recipe:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until they’re mixed together well.

2. For a coarse texture, blend the herbs in a mixer or grinder until you achieve the desired consistency, then add a bit of salt and pulse a couple of times to combine.

3. Finally, pour the mixture into a glass jar like a mason jar.

Keep in mind that herb salt recipe is made with fresh herbs will last awhile with the preservation of the salt to small ratios of herbs. To extend its shelf life, you can dry out the salt mixture before using it. This can be done either by leaving it at room temperature or by placing it in the oven. It’s recommended to let the salt mixture sit for 1-2 days before using it, allowing the flavors to meld. Whether you use fresh or dried herbs, let the salt herb mixture sit out on a cookies sheet flat for 1-2 days to fully dry out.

Using a Food Processor

The process of making herb salt is straightforward, use a food processor to make the process easier. Here’s how to do it:

1. Add 1 cup of coarse sea salt to the food processor.

2. Add 1/4 cup of rosemary to the food processor.

3. Add another cup of sea salt to the food processor.

4. Pulse the food processor until the salt and rosemary have ground up to your desired texture, which should take about a minute.

5. Repeat the process with 1/4 cup of other herbs. Thyme can be used as an example.

If you prefer coarse grind, using a mortar and pestle, grind the herbs and salt together until you achieve the desired texture.

Regardless of the method, store the finished herb salt in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh and flavorful, as this is an effective way of preserving herbs.

Adding Extra Flavors: Garlic, Lemon Zest, and More

Consider enhancing your herb salt with additional flavors such homemade flavored salts such as:

• Garlic: finely mince it and add it to the salt mixture

• Lemon zest: finely grate the zest and add it to the mixture

• Other herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, cilantro, lavender, and mint for added depth and complexity

Don’t hesitate to explore these seasonings to create a more flavorful herb salt.

These additional flavors can transform your herb salt into a versatile seasoning that complements a wide variety of dishes. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect herb rub blend that suits your taste buds and enhances your culinary creations with herb salts.

Drying and Storing Your Homemade Herb Salt

Ensuring your homemade herb salt is properly dried and stored is vital to maintain its flavor and extend its shelf life. To dry your salt mixture, you can follow these steps:

1. Spread it in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

2. Leave it at room temperature for a few days.

Once your herb salt is dry, transfer it to a clean glass jar or an airtight container. Store your herb salt in a cool, dark spot to maintain its freshness and flavor.

Additionally, infused salt has a shelf life of approximately 4-6 months. By properly drying and storing your homemade herb flavored salt, you’ll ensure maximum flavor and longevity, making it a valuable addition to your pantry.

Glass Jars and Airtight Containers

Storing your herb salt in glass jars and airtight containers not only maintains its freshness and flavor, but the sealed container also adds an appealing touch to your kitchen or pantry. These containers keep moisture and air out, which is crucial for maintaining the quality of your homemade herb salt.

To ensure the best results, follow these steps to store your herb salt:

1. Dry your herb salt as mentioned in the previous section until completely dry.

2. Transfer the herb salt to a clean glass jar or airtight container.

3. Store the herb salt in the fridge or a cool, dark place.

By taking these steps, you’ll keep your herb salt fresh, flavorful, and ready to use whenever you need a tasty seasoning boost, just like kosher salt.

Creative Ways to Use Your Herbal Salt

With its remarkable versatility, there is no right or wrong method in using herb salt can enhance an array of dishes. Here are some ideas for using herbal salts and how to use it:

• Sprinkle it over avocado toast, potatoes, risotto, and roast chicken

• Use it to season roasted vegetables, homemade soups, meat marinades, dips, salad dressings, and popcorn

• Mix it with minced garlic and fresh herbs to create a flavorful garlic and herb salt

• Preserve fresh herbs by mixing them with sea salt to create herbal-infused salts, perfect for pasta, salads, and roasted meats

Don’t forget to give your herb salt some time for the flavors to mingle. It’s recommended to wait 1-2 days before using it. With so much fun and many creative uses, your homemade herb salt is sure to become a staple in your kitchen, adding a unique touch to your favorite dishes.

Gifting Ideas: Presenting Your Herbal Salt as a Thoughtful Gift

Particularly for those who love to cook and play with flavors, your homemade herb salt might make a unique and considerate gift for friends and family. Consider pairing the jarred herb salt with an herb gardening book, a cookbook, and a potted herb for a personalized and practical present.

This creative and versatile gift is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or even as a thoughtful gesture for overnight guests. Not only will your loved ones appreciate the effort you put into creating a custom seasoning, but they’ll also enjoy the delicious flavors it brings to their dishes.

Summary

In conclusion, homemade herb salt is a simple yet versatile ingredient that can transform your dishes and showcase your culinary creativity. By selecting the right herbs, incorporating additional flavors, and properly drying and storing your herb salt, you can create a unique seasoning that enhances your meals and delights your taste buds. Whether you use it for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, homemade herb salt is a fantastic addition to any kitchen pantry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is called herbal?

Herbal products, botanical products, or phytomedicines are medicines made from plants used to treat diseases or maintain health. An herbal supplement is a product made from plants and used internally.

What is the most powerful herbal medicine?

Turmeric is arguably the most powerful herbal medicine, having a long tradition of medicinal use in Indian culture and now widely used abroad. It is joined by other powerful herbs such as Ashwagandha, Ginger, Tulsi, Flax Seeds, Evening Primrose Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Echinacea, Grapeseed Extract, Lavender, and Chamomile.

What is the difference between herbal and drugs?

The main difference between herbal and drugs is that herbal medicine typically uses whole plants or plant extracts to aid the body’s own healing process, while pharmaceuticals are usually synthetic and address symptoms caused by a specific disease. Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years, but modern drugs were often first extracted from plant sources.

Can I use both fresh and dried herbs for my herb salt?

Yes, you can use both fresh and dried herbs for your herb salt – whichever gives you the flavor profile you’re looking for!

READ more about Herbs:

Want to know about how to grow and use chamomile? Click HERE.

To learn more about growing and using lavender….Click HERE.

To start growing herbs in small spaces, check out this POST.