How to Make Flavored Salts + 5 Homemade Gift Ideas

This tutorial on how to make flavored salts is perfect for holiday gift giving, or just for spicing up your everyday cooking!

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

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I’ll be sure to find it.

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.