Transform Your Cooking with DIY Herb-Infused Finishing Salts!

Herb-infused finishing salts are a delightful alchemy between earth and sea, plant and mineral. Surprisingly easy to make, herbal salts are an inventive way to preserve excess fresh culinary herbs. They are called finishing salts because they are added to a dish after it’s prepared. However, many of these salt blends are perfect for adding to marinades and dressings as well. They are also delicious rubbed onto meats and seafood before roasting, grilling, or pan-frying. I regularly enjoy finishing salts on eggs, fresh and roasted vegetables, past, sauces and other dishes. And they can be truly delicious when combined with extra-virgin olive oil and goat cheese.

The sky’s the limit when blending your own herbal salts! Feel free to experiment with your favorite culinary herbs. There are so many pretty varieties of salt available now, which add a whole new dimension to the flavor and color palette of these brilliant mixtures.

Here are some salts I like to use, which all vary slightly in texture, flavor, and hue.

Himalayan Pink Salt:

Hand-mined from ancient marine fossil deposit, this salt's pink hue comes from its iron content. It offers a slightly sweeter taste and is packed with trace element content, including calcium, magnesium, copper, and iron.

Red Alaea sea salt, or Red Hawaiian sea salt:

Formed from seawater slowly evaporating in tidal pools that are naturally infused with iron-rich, red volcanic clay. Talk about elemental alchemy! Fire, water, mineral, and air are all embodied in this crimson maritime sacrament.

Celtic sea salt:

A coarse sea salt that is gray in hue due to its unique harvesting technique, which includes gathering the bottom mineral layer of the salt-harvesting area. All Celtic sea salts are hand-harvested and sun-dried.

Black Lava Salt:

Infused with activated charcoal, this salt has a bold, earthy flavor and striking color. It’s excellent for adding visual appeal to dishes.

Sea Salt:

Harvested from evaporated seawater, sea salt is rich in minerals and has a coarse texture. It’s perfect for adding a crunchy finish to dishes.

Kosher Salt:

Known for its large, flaky crystals, kosher salt is easy to pinch and sprinkle. It dissolves quickly and is a favorite among chefs for its pure taste.

Directions for Processing Herbal Salts:

1. Choose Your Herbs: Select fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, or dill. Wash and thoroughly dry them to prevent moisture from clumping the salt.

2. Blend: Use a food processor to blend 1 cup of packed herbs with 1 cup of your chosen salt. Pulse until the herbs are finely chopped and well-integrated with the salt.

3. Dry: Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and place it in an area with good airflow to dry completely. This process may take several days. Stir periodically to crumble up any clumps, ensuring even drying.

4. Store: Transfer the dried herbal salt into airtight containers. They can last for several months when stored in a cool, dry place.

Check my YouTube Video how to make Garden Herbs Finishing Salt

Finishing Salts Recipe

Citrus Delight Salt

The boldness of citrus zest, lemon verbena and thyme add a bright splash to grilled fish, roasted roots, and poultry. Lemon verbena is a common garden herb and offers a unique twist to any dish with its distinctive aroma and flavor.

• 1 cup (240 ml) coarse white sea salt

• Zest of one orange

• Zest of one lemon zest

• ½ cup (120 ml) fresh lemon verbena leaves (½ ounce [14 g], by weight) or half that amount dried leaves

• ½ cup packed fresh thyme leaves

Italian Salt Blend

This salt blend can be used to flavor any Italian dish—try it in marinara sauce or sprinkle it on pasta with cream sauce. It is divine combined with olive oil and goat cheese to create a tasty spread or dip.

• 1 cup (240 ml) packed equal parts fresh thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, and basil, whole leaves, destemmed

• 1 cup (240 ml) coarse pink Himalayan sea salt

Garden Herbs Finishing Salt

This is a universal salt blend that can go on any dish you want – eggs, omelets, fresh and roasted veggies, you name it.

• 1 tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped

• 1 Tbsp. thyme leaves

• ½ cups fresh cilantro, chopped

• ¾ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• ¾ cup fresh basil, chopped

• zest of one lemon

• 2 cups Pink Himalayan salt

Herb-infused finishing salts are a fantastic way to bring the vibrant flavors of fresh herbs into your kitchen all year round. By preserving these aromatic blends, you can enjoy the essence of your garden even during the winter months. Packaged in charming jars, these salts make thoughtful and personalized gifts that are sure to delight any culinary enthusiast.

Creating your own herbal salts offers endless possibilities for experimentation and customization. Whether you're enhancing the flavors of a simple dish or adding a gourmet touch to your culinary creations, these salts provide a versatile and flavorful addition to your pantry. Embrace the creativity and joy of making herbal salts, and let them inspire your cooking adventures.

Enjoy the process, share the love, and savor the delightful taste of nature's bounty!