This tutorial on how to make flavored salts is perfect for holiday gift giving, or just for spicing up your everyday cooking!
How to Make Flavored Salts
Seasoning with herbs, spices and sprinkles of salt and pepper is one of the easiest ways to add flavor to your meals, particularly when you're cooking up healthy meals and reducing some of the traditional flavor makers (I'm looking at you, butter). While plain ol' salt can do the trick for elevating flavors, adding a pinch that's been spiked with herbs, citrus or spices can really elevate your recipes. This tutorial on how to make flavored salts is a starting point - let your imagination go wild with different flavor combinations
While the possibilities are virtually endless, I'm going to show you how to make three of my favorite flavored salts. Plus, don't forget to take a look at the other 5 homemade gift ideas below. Your friends and neighbors are going to be very thankful for you this holiday season!
Tips for making flavored salts:
- Start with a coarse salt, such as kosher or sea salt.
- Any dried herbs or spices can be mixed directly into the salt. If starting with fresh herbs, chop them, then air dry until dry and crumbly.
- Dried citrus is one of my favorite seasonings for flavored salts. Simply grate the zest of the fruit with a microplane, then set it out on a baking sheet to dry. This may take a couple of days, so if you're a little short on time, spread the grated zest on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then dry in a barely warm oven (set to the lowest heat) for 15 to 30 minutes. Be aware that if you use the oven method, you'll need to open the windows and turn on the fans because the warmed zest becomes very fragrant. Once the zest is dry, gently crumble it with your fingers.
How to use flavored salts:
- If you're gifting these salts, transfer them to a pretty jar, tie with a ribbon and attach a card that includes some ideas for using the salts.
- Sprinkle the salt on chicken or fish before cooking.
- Toss with freshly popped popcorn.
- Mix into scrambled eggs.
- Use as a component of a grilling rub for chicken, pork, steaks or shrimp.
Five Homemade Gift Ideas:
Maple Pistachio Granola - Healthy Recipe {Cookin' Canuck}
Spicy Black Bean Soup in a Jar by Back to Her Roots
Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal Mix by The Lemon Bowl
Chocolate Chili Spiced Pecans by Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Crockpot Apple Butter by Plaid & Paleo
This post was originally published on December 9, 2015, and has been updated.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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How to Make Flavored Salts + 5 Homemade Gift Ideas
Ingredients
Lemon Pepper Salt:
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
Rosemary & Smoked Paprika Salt:
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon crushed rosemary
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
Curry Lime Salt:
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon dried grated lime zest
Instructions
Lemon Pepper Salt
- Mix together the salt, lemon zest and pepper.
- Transfer to a jar.
Rosemary & Smoked Paprika Salt
- Mix together the salt, rosemary and smoked paprika.
- Transfer to a jar.
Curry Lime Salt
- Mix together the salt, curry powder and lime zest.
- Transfer to a jar.
ellie
they're perfect for gifting during the holidays or elevating everyday meals like roasted veggies or grilled chicken. I especially appreciate the tips on using coarse sea salt and drying fresh herbs or citrus zest properly to avoid clumping. I'll be trying the Lemon Pepper Salt first, paired with some fresh fish
Dara
They're always popular as gifts! Th lemon pepper salt would be fantastic with fish. I hope you enjoy it.
Christina Dobard
Would this work with regular table salt?
Dara
Hi Christina, I highly recommend using something that is coarser than regular table salt, such as kosher salt or sea salt. A coarser salt gives you those nice little pops of flavor when you sprinkle it on food. Fine table salt dissolves too quickly, so you lose that satisfying crunch and the “finishing touch” effect that flavored salts are meant to add. Also, larger crystals have more surface area for herbs, citrus zest, spices, and aromatics to cling to.
Sarah
I love the idea of flavoured salts! I'm wondering if this would work with pink Himalayan sea salt?
Dara
Hi Sarah, I don't see why not. Just taste the salt separately first to determine if you think there are some flavors that would mix better than others.