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Preserve fresh herbs with this herb salt recipe! You can use it in many ways: on pasta, eggs, and olive oil for dipping bread. It’s also great for gifts!
Our two pots of fresh herbs were the only remnant of our garden that moved to our new house this summer. We’ve been intentional about watering and pruning, and holding on to these herbs for every last second. But, fall has arrived in full. And with it, cooler weather that’s not fit for keeping these fresh herbs alive.
What to do with a bunch of fresh herbs you need to use up? Alex suggested making an herb salt recipe. And wow, was it worth it! Keep reading for how to make this tasty condiment (it’s also perfect for gifts!).
Related: How to Grow Herbs in Pots
Using fresh herbs for herb salt
Usually at the end of the herb growing season, Alex and I would take our leftover herbs and make a ton of pesto, freeze, or dry the herbs. And then we’d start planning an optimistically over-sized garden for next spring. Using them to make an herb salt recipe was completely new to us, but it’s too perfect not to add to our repertoire.
Now of course, you can make an herb salt recipe any time of the year: so don’t feel like you have to wait until the end of the season! Typically our basil plants are out of control in the summer, so there are enough fresh herbs to go around.
How to make herb salt
Making this herb salt recipe is incredibly simple. All you need is the following:
- 2 cups of kosher salt: Use only kosher salt in this recipe because it brings a gentler salting to foods. We would not recommend using table salt because of its sharp, very salty flavor.
- 1 cup of fresh herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, etc
- 1 garlic clove
To make it, you’ll simply whiz everything together in a blender. Then bake the mixture at very low heat for about 1 hour. When you’re done, you can store the herb salt in airtight jar indefinitely.
Best herbs to use
What herbs are best in this herb salt recipe? The recipe is completely loose, so you can add whatever herbs you’ve got! We used basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage, but you could use anything you have on hand.
If you aren’t growing fresh herbs, you must start some pots! All you need are a few pots and a sunny ledge to grow herbs. If you’re looking to get started growing herbs, head to our instructional post: How to Grow Herbs in Pots.
Ways to serve herb salt!
A sprinkle of this herb salt is good on just about everything! Here are ten of our best ideas on how to serve it:
- On scrambled eggs.
- In olive oil to use for dipping bread.
- In grilled cheese.
- On raw carrot sticks for a little flair.
- On avocado toast.
- On cheese pizza.
- On top of hard boiled eggs.
- In soups and stews.
- In hummus.
- On a quesadilla.
And we’re still trying new ideas! Do you have ideas for how to use herb salt in your cooking? Let us know in the comments below.
A few other great salt DIYs? Try How to Make Garlic Salt and Seasoned Salt Recipe.
More DIY seasonings
We love resourcing you with kitchen DIYs! This herb salt is a fun DIY that also works great for gifts. Here are a few more kitchen essentials:
- 15 Best Seasoning Blends
- Herbes de Provence Seasoning
- Ranch Seasoning
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Pumpkin Pie Spice 0
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Herb Seasoning Mix
Dietary notes
This herb salt recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan.
Frequently asked questions
Herb salt is a flavorful blend of salt and dried herbs, often used to enhance the taste of various dishes. It can be a simple combination of salt and one herb, or a complex mixture of multiple herbs and spices.
Herb salt adds a depth of flavor and complexity to your food that plain salt alone cannot achieve. It’s a convenient way to incorporate herbs into your cooking, especially if you don’t have fresh herbs on hand.
Store herb salt in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It should last for up to 1 year if stored properly.
Herb Salt Recipe
Use up extra fresh herbs with this herb salt recipe! Herb salt is a tasty addition to pasta, eggs, and olive oil for dipping bread.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Essential
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups kosher salt
- 1 cup mixed fresh savory herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, sage, and so forth)
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all ingredients. Pulse a few time to integrate the herbs into the salt, being careful not to over-process the ingredients into powder. (Alternatively, mince all ingredients together with a knife.)
- Set oven to its lowest temperature (about 200°F), and dry the salt for 45 minutes to an hour, until dry to touch. Store in an airtight jar at room temperature in a cupboard for up to 1 year.
