Name: How to Make Flavored Salts (3 Edible Gift Ideas)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/4-3/4 cup of salt, depending on the size of your jar; 1 tsp dried grated lemon zest, or more for a stronger flavor; 1 tsp freshly dried chopped thyme, or more for a stronger flavor; 1 tsp freshly dried chopped rosemary, or more for a stronger flavor; 1/4-3/4 cups of salt, depending on the size of your jar; 1 tsp smoked paprika, or more for a stronger flavor; 1/4-3/4 cups of salt, depending on the size of your jar; 1 tsp curry powder, or more for a stronger flavor

Learn How to Make Flavored Salts at home using sea salt and pantry-staple herbs and spices. You’ll find tips and tricks on making your own flavored salt, as well as 3 recipes to help get you started. Give them away as delicious homemade edible gifts or enjoy them yourself on popcorn, with meat and seafood, or stirred into scrambled eggs!

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DIY flavored salt recipe

A sprinkle of finishing salt is one of the best ways to add a delicious flair to all of your meals. Instead of the usual table salt, add beautiful and refined flavors with flavored salts! This guide will teach you how to make flavored salts you can enjoy yourself or give away as unique edible gifts.

DIY flavored salts are simple – stir a pinch of the herbs, citrus, or spices of your choice into a jar of sea salt, then enjoy! Just a sprinkle is all you need to elevate your recipes. I love using flavored salts in dry rubs for baked salmon, to season roasted chicken, and to stir into scrambled eggs.

I’ve included 3 flavored salt recipes to help get you started:

Lemon, Thyme, and Rosemary Salt
Smoked Paprika Salt
Curry Salt

Each flavor variety is easy to jar and give away as gifts. Your teachers, family, friends, and neighbors are going to be very thankful for you this holiday season when they open their jar of flavored salts!

Keep reading to learn more about how to make flavored salt from scratch, endless ways to use them, and even more flavoring ideas.

What is infused salt?

It’s simple, really. Infused salt is any variety of salt that’s been flavored with add-ins, such as herbs, citrus zest, spices, and more. The salt and infusions work together to elevate each of their natural flavors.

Infused salt can be used anywhere you would use normal table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt. Because of its enhanced flavors, it can really take your meals up a notch.

Ingredients you need

Every infused salt recipe has at least two ingredients: salt and a mix-in. These mix-ins can be anything, from citrus to herbs to dried spices. Read the notes below before you start putting your own infusions together:

Salt – You can use both coarse salt and fine salt to make flavored salt recipes. Coarse varieties, like sea salt, Maldon salt, or kosher salt, look very appealing once they’re mixed with their flavors. Regular table salt works in a pinch, but you’ll need to use a higher ratio of flavorings.
Citrus zest – Dried citrus zest is one of my favorite seasonings for salts. While fresh citrus can be used in small batches, drying it first will extend the shelf life of your flavored salt. To dry, spread the citrus zest on a lined baking sheet. Either let it sit out for a few hours or place it in a 170ºF oven for 10 to 15 minutes, checking it every 5 minutes.
Herbs – You can use fresh herbs instead of dried, but they’ll need to be dried out first. Just like the citrus, chop the herbs finely and lay them out on a lined baking sheet until dry.
Dried spices – Smoked paprika and curry powder were my spices of choice, but you can use almost anything! Keep scrolling for more ideas.

How to make flavored salts

Always follow this ratio when putting your salt and flavors together: for every ¼ cup of salt, add 1 teaspoon of flavor.

Stir the salt and your flavor variations together in a bowl.
Use a funnel to pour the flavored salt into Weck Jars or small mason jars.
Seal the jars with a lid and tie a ribbon around each (if you’re giving them away as gifts), and they’re ready to be used!

More flavor variations

You can mix up the ingredients and flavors using any combination of these suggestions:

Citrus zest

Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Orange

Fresh or dried herbs

Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Oregano
Basil
Parsley

Dried spices

Garlic powder
Onion powder
Chili seasoning
Paprika
Chili flakes
Za’atar

Ways to use infused salt

I’ve included uses for each of the three flavored salt variations below. Just know that they can be used in almost endless recipes, so feel free to get creative!

Lemon, Thyme, and Rosemary Salt

To season chicken or seafood before it goes in the oven
Stir it into pasta sauces
Sprinkle a pinch over this Herbed Butter Board
To season Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Sprinkle some over Sauteed Broccolini

Smoked Paprika Salt

In a dry rub for beef or pork
To season Braised Short Ribs
Sprinkled over a Spicy Shakshuka
As a finishing salt on Eggs Benedict
Rub it onto Grilled Chicken Skewers before cooking
Stir a pinch into a Tuna Egg Salad

Curry Salt

Sprinkled on popcorn
Rubbed onto pork chops before cooking
Stirred into this Coconut Curry Soup
Stir a little with the roasted nuts of your choice
Sprinkled over a plate of cooked edamame

Packaging salt for gifts

Transfer the finished salt into these pretty Weck jars or small mason jars. Tie a festive ribbon around each one and attach a label with the salt’s flavor. Finally, gift the jar of salt with a card that has a few ideas on how to use the infused salt.

How long does it last?

Flavored salt is one of the best homemade food gifts because of its long shelf life. The salt should last for up to 6 months when stored in an airtight jar or container at room temperature.

Looking for more edible holiday gifts?

If you try these flavored salt recipes let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!

How to Make Flavored Salts (3 Edible Gift Ideas)

4 from 6 votes

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Author: Lena Gladstone

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