Fresh Herb Salt is so easy to make. The perfect way to preserve all those wonderful garden and market herbs.
This herb-infused salt recipe is easy to make. Fresh herbs and coarse salt are all you need. This makes a GREAT hostess gift!! Culinary herbs made right at home.
Fresh herbs are so wonderful to have, I wish I could grow them all year long. There are so many deliciously creative ways to use them.
- Flavoured simple syrup with spearmint is perfect for adding to drinks.
- Infused cream cheese is great for bagels an more.
- Flavoured mayo is a must for burgers, sandwiches and as a dip too.
- Parsley sauce is great for pasta, grilled veggies and meats.
- Freezing fresh herbs in cubes is the perfect way to preserve them for winter cooking.
If you are a fan of compound butter, this vibrant green salt using fresh herbs will be right up your alley.
Recently a good friend of mine messaged me and asked if I had ever heard of herb-infused salt? Other than processed seasonings you find at the store, I said no.
Well, this got me curious as to what she was talking about. She had seen them at the local market, so I had to find out what this DIY herbal salt is all about.
After some research on the web, I found out that this has been done for years. This is a way to preserve fresh herbs. It seems to be very popular in Quebec and eastern Canada. Also known as Herbes Salées, it is made around the world, and there are slight variations as to how this is done.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this herb seasoning can be found at the bottom of this post.
Ingredients For This Culinary Salt
For this flavoured salt recipe you will need:
- fresh herbs
- garlic
- coarse salt
- food processor (or sharp knife)
- clean glass jar
When it comes to preserving, I opt for simple. Like really simple. I am not a canner. The quick and easy method works for me. Pickled eggs, zucchini pickles, and pickled onions are all reallly easy recipes.
I am always looking for herb recipes, and this green salt is a pretty cool addition to your kitchen spice collection.
Making Fresh Herb Salt
I looked at several methods and recipes. Some include completely drying the fresh herb mix. Others include the addition of vegetables in the blend.
There is no right or wrong method of doing this. It all boils down to personal preference. Since I am a spice collector, trying to make herb salt seemed like a great idea.
The process is very easy and works well with all my other preserving methods.
Step 1
Wash the herbs, remove any stalks/stems, spread on a cloth and let dry. I let them sit on the counter for about an hour before I used them.
Step 2
Place about 3 cups of herbs in a food processor, and add the garlic and the coarse salt. Pulse until it resembles a coarse grind. Be sure not to over-process as you do not want a paste/puree texture.
If you do not want to use a food processor, you can do everything by hand. Chop the herbs and garlic. Add the salt and continue to chop until you reach a coarse consistency.
Step 3
At this point, you can place your mixture directly into a jar. If you want it to be drier, spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet and let it air dry for a bit. I placed mine right in the jar.
Be sure to give it a good mix every day for about the first week.
Types Of Herbs For Infused Salts
You can create your own signature blend using any herb combination you wish. That is the neat thing, each time you make it, the flavours can be different.
Herbs that work well include:
- parsley
- dill
- mint
- oregano
- sage
- thyme
- cilantro
- rosemary
- basil
- savory
- coriander
So many great options for creating unique flavoured salt recipes. This will now keep for months in the fridge. You have some incredible-tasting herbs to add to your favourite recipes.
One word of caution, it is SALTY so you may have to make adjustments to the amount of additional salt you add to recipes.
Tips For Preserving Herbs In Salt
- Be sure to remove woody stalks before processing.
- Herbs must be washed and left to dry before processing.
- Very salty, so use sparingly.
- Always keep it in the fridge (not on the counter).
- Let sit for at least 7 days before using to allow the flavours to develop.
- Lasts for months.
- Makes a great food gift.
- Be sure to use coarse sea salt.
- Can be used on pizza, in soups, stews, and as a herb rub for meat and vegetables.
FAQ (Questions And Answers)
Kept in the fridge in a sealed container, it will last 4-6 months.
Yes, you can. The cold temperature does not affect the shelf life of salt.
Rinse well under cold water. A salad spinner is a great way to clean fresh herbs. Let them dry on a kitchen towel.
So what do you think? Does this homemade seasoned salt recipe sound interesting?
Check out my recipe for Simple Roasted Tomatoes. Use the bounty of market tomatoes to easily create wonderful sauces all winter long.
Need some flavours for the grill? This BBQ Seasonings Roundup has everything you need.
If you LOVE making recipes using fresh herbs, give these a try:
Homemade Fresh Herb Salt
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh herbs loosely packed
- ½ cup coarse sea salt
- 1 clove fresh garlic or more if you wish
Instructions
- Wash herbs, remove stalks/stems.
- Arrange in a single layer on a towel.
- Let air dry for about an hour until all moisture is gone.
- Place herbs in the food processor.
- Add garlic and salt.
- Process until it reaches a coarse consistency (DO NOT over process).
- Place in a jar, and keep in fridge. Be sure to give it a good mix/stir daily for about the first week.
Nutrition Information
Notes
If you don’t want to use a food processor, you can chop the herbs and garlic by hand. Add the salt and continue to chop until you reach that coarse consistency. **NOTE** Serving Size is calculated at 2 TSP but you may require MORE or LESS. Keep in mind this is VERY SALTY.
Saima
What a brilliant, brilliant way to use herbs! I confess, I had never even heard of herb salt before coming across your recipe, but it is such a simple, wonderful recipe that I’m going to have to try it soon. And you’re so right. It will make for such a neat little gift too!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes, this is a really simple recipe. Hope you give this herb salt a try and see.
ana
I’m totally doing this! What a pretty salt! That green salt would look amazing on some margaritas. Pinning it!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…I know I will be making a few batches with the garden herbs this summer.
Kelly Anthony
What a great way to use up the herbs from our garden! SO simple. How cute would little bottles of this be as place card holders for a summer brunch or luncheon?! It’s beautiful!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
YES…herb salt makes a great food gift!!
Debbie
What a wonderful Idea!! I have an herb garden and in the summer when it is over grown I waste so many herbs when I trim it back. I have a feeling I will have several jars of herb salts in my fridge. Thanks!!!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I am so excited to finally plant my first herb garden..I just bought the plants. I know where they will be going.
Julie
Great idea! We have so many herbs growing on our balcony and I never know how to use them all. This is a perfect way to continue to enjoy them long after the summer growing season has ended.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It sure is…hope you give this herb salt a try.
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
I’ve never heard of this before, but what a great idea! I hate throwing out fresh herbs (but often do!), bookmarking this to start preserving them ASAP!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…this herb salt is the perfect host/hostess gift for BBQ parties too.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
This is such a great idea! I’ll definitely try it!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I know I sure will be making more of this with herbs from the garden.
Denise
Herb salts are so fun and versatile to make! They are also great to use too! Love this.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. Hope you give this herb salt recipe a try.
Neha
Never heard of herb salt before but I am in love with this recipe and all your clicks. So green and vibrant! I grow my own herbs and now I know how to use them in the best way possible!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It sure is a great way to use fresh herbs from the garden. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Trish Bozeman
THIS IS GENIUS! I can’t believe I haven’t seen this before. We are moving into our first house in just a few weeks and one of the first things I’m going to do is plant an herb garden. I’m bookmarking this for when I have fresh herbs! Fantastic.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Congrats on the new house. I am planting a herb garden this summer too. I know I will be making a few variations of this great herb salt.
Jenni LeBaron
This salt is such a brilliant idea. I love that you can use it on so many things! I’m already salivating thinking about sprinkling it on top of eggs, hummus, and pasta! I also think this would be a wonderful item to stick in a culinary gift basket!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes this herb salt can be used so many delicious ways. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Sarah
What a delicious idea!! I can think of a thousand ways I would love to try this!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this herb salt recipe a try.
Dana
What a great way to use up herbs! I always end up with an abundance of leftover herbs and I hate hate hate when I forget about them and they just wilt away in the fridge. I can’t wait to give this a go. Perfect for that summer-y seasonal flare.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes I have that same problem with herbs. I will also freeze them in oil. This herb salt is a great way to use them up for sure.
Lois Christensen
Love how it’s going to last for awhile too! Looks perfect for so many different recipes. I’m going to try this over the summer with the fresh herbs from our garden.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Me too….I will be planting a herb garden for the first time. So exciting.
J. J. Stewart
This is just the type of recipe I need and want!! We use a lot of salt and one thing I believe makes all the difference in the world is adequately seasoning food whether it’s before grilling or after. I’m the grill master in the family. ?I now have plans for all the herbs I’ll be planting. Thanks for the inspiration.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I am looking forward to my herb garden too….have fun with this fresh herb recipe.
Marisa F. Stewart
I love that idea!! We are planning on growing lots of herbs this summer and the seasoned salt would be so fantastic to have on hand. There are so many variations I’m thinking about. Rosemary and basil are at the top of my list. The combinations are endless. Thank you!!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I will be planting my first herb garden this year. This herb salt recipe is a great place to use some.