How to Make Herbal Salts: 7 Simple Recipes for Everyday Cooking

Herbal salts are a beautiful way to bring flavour, fragrance and creativity into your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking a comforting meal, seasoning your roasted veg, or making a thoughtful homemade gift, these simple blends are a joy to create and use.

In this post, I’ll show you how to make your own herbal salts at home, what you’ll need, and seven easy recipes to try — inspired by garden herbs, seasonal pairings, and natural goodness.

How to Make Herbal Salts: 7 Simple Recipes for Everyday Cooking

What Are Herbal Salts?

Herbal salts are simply sea salt blended with dried herbs, spices, or edible flowers. They add an instant flavour boost and a touch of charm to your meals — think of them as a rustic, natural alternative to shop-bought seasoning blends.

They’re also great for:

• Enhancing soups, stews, or roasted dishes

• Sprinkling over warm bread with butter

• Rimming cocktail glasses (hello, herbal margaritas!)

• Gifting in little jars with handwritten labels

What You’ll Need

• Sea salt (coarse or fine, depending on your texture preference)

• Dried herbs or flowers (always make sure they’re food-safe and fully dried)

• A mixing bowl and spoon

• Clean jars or tins for storing

If you’re using fresh herbs, they must be fully dried first to prevent mould — either air-dried, dehydrated or oven-dried on a low heat.

Once dried, the herbs can be crushed by hand or blitzed in a spice grinder if you prefer a finer mix.

7 Herbal Salt Recipes to Try

Herbal Salt Recipes to Try

1. Rosemary & Lemon Zest Salt

Perfect with roast potatoes, lamb or focaccia.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp dried rosemary

• Zest of 1 lemon (air-dried)

• 6 tbsp sea salt

2. Garlic & Thyme Salt

Ideal for soups, stews, or seasoning mushrooms.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp garlic granules

• 2 tbsp dried thyme

• 6 tbsp sea salt

3. Chilli & Lime Salt

Zesty and fiery — great for tacos or cocktails.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes

• Zest of 1 lime (air-dried)

• 5 tbsp sea salt

4. Lavender & Sage Salt

Beautiful with roast chicken or grilled veg.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp dried culinary lavender

• 2 tbsp dried sage

• 6 tbsp sea salt

5. Parsley, Basil & Oregano Salt

Classic Mediterranean flavour — great on pasta or tomato dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried parsley

• 1 tbsp dried basil

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 6 tbsp sea salt

6. Smoked Paprika & Fennel Salt

Deep, smoky, and a little sweet — delicious on roasted root veg.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp crushed fennel seeds

• 5 tbsp sea salt

7. Mint & Coriander Salt

Fresh and lively — try it on grilled halloumi or cucumber salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried mint

• 1 tbsp dried coriander leaf

• 5 tbsp sea salt

How to Make Herbal Salt

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until they are evenly combined.

2. Store in an airtight jar or tin, away from moisture and direct sunlight.

3. Use within 6 months for the best flavour.

Making Herbal Salts

You can scale these recipes up or down, depending on how much you’d like to make. If gifting, try adding handwritten tags with suggestions for use.

Tips for Creating Your Own Blends

• Pair herbs that match a cuisine style (e.g. basil + oregano for Italian)

• Add a little citrus zest or edible flower petals for extra colour

• Use a mortar and pestle for a more rustic texture, or a grinder for a fine finish

• Taste as you go — and make it your own!

Natural Flavour, Made Simple

There’s something satisfying about making your seasoning blends, especially when they look and smell this good!

Herbal salts are a lovely way to connect with the herbs in your garden or spice rack, and they make everyday meals feel just a little more special.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes — or come up with your own signature blend!

How to Make Herbal Salts: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Fresh herbs contain moisture, which can lead to mould in your salt blend. It’s best to fully dry your herbs first — you can air-dry, oven-dry on low heat, or use a dehydrator.

2. How long do herbal salts last?

If stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, herbal salts can last up to 6 months. Over time, the flavour may fade, so it’s worth making smaller batches and refreshing them now and then.

3. Which salt is best to use?

Sea salt is ideal — either coarse for a rustic feel or fine for a smoother blend. You can also use Himalayan pink salt or kosher salt depending on your preference. Just avoid table salt with added anti-caking agents if possible.

4. How much herbal salt should I use in cooking?

Start small! Herbal salts are flavour-packed, so a pinch or two is often enough. Taste as you go and adjust to your liking.

5. Can I give herbal salts as gifts?

Absolutely — they make beautiful homemade presents. Pop them into little glass jars or tins, tie with twine, and add a handwritten label with the name of the blend and serving suggestions.