How to Make Orange Salt and Orange Pepper: Festive Seasonings for Winter Cooking

If there’s one thing I love during the colder months, it’s finding simple ways to elevate everyday meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Homemade infused salts and pepper blends are one of my favourite winter shortcuts, and this year I’ve been making Orange Salt and Orange Pepper on repeat. They’re bright, aromatic, incredibly easy to prepare, and they instantly bring a little festive warmth to savoury dishes.

How to Make Orange Salt and Orange Pepper

Whether you’re cooking roast chicken, adding flavour to winter salads, seasoning fish, or preparing canapé platters for Christmas gatherings, these citrusy blends add the perfect finishing touch. They also make beautiful homemade foodie gifts—simple, sustainable, and wonderfully fragrant.

Why Orange Salt and Pepper Work So Well

Orange zest contains natural oils that are intensely flavourful. When dried and mixed with flaky sea salt or cracked black pepper, those oils infuse the seasoning blend with warmth, freshness, and gentle sweetness. It’s an entirely natural way to enhance:

• Roasted vegetables

• Christmas canapés

• Grilled or baked fish

• Chicken dishes

• Winter couscous bowls or salads

• Homemade dressings and marinades

Think of them as small but mighty kitchen essentials for the festive period.

Ingredients

Tip: For the best flavour, always use unwaxed oranges when zesting. If you can only find waxed oranges, rinse them with freshly boiled water and scrub gently to remove the coating before use.

For Orange Salt:

• Zest of 2 unwaxed oranges (finely grated)

• 3 tablespoons flaky sea salt

For Orange Pepper:

• Zest of 2 unwaxed oranges

• 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper

• Optional: pinch of dried thyme or rosemary

How to Make Orange Salt or Orange Pepper

1. Prepare the zest

Wash and dry the unwaxed oranges. If you're using waxed oranges, pour freshly boiled water over them and scrub to remove the wax first. Use a microplane to grate the zest finely, avoiding the white pith.

How to Make Orange Salt or Orange Pepper

1. Prepare the zest

Wash and dry the oranges. Use a microplane to grate the zest finely, avoiding the bitter white pith.

2. Dry the zest

Spread the zest on a baking sheet and dry it in the oven at the lowest temperature (around 60–70°C). Check after 30 minutes—when it crumbles easily between your fingers, it’s ready.

Alternatively, let it air dry overnight on a baking sheet if you prefer a no-heat method.

3. Combine your seasoning

Once cooled, mix the dried zest into your flaky salt or cracked pepper. Stir well so every grain is lightly coated.

4. Store and gift

Transfer to airtight jars. For gifting, add a handwritten label or tie a small ribbon around the lid for a festive touch.

These blends keep for around 3 months.

How to Use Orange Salt

Orange Salt is especially fragrant and works beautifully with:

• Roast chicken

• Steamed or roasted fish

• Roasted carrots, squash, parsnips

• Warm barley or couscous salads

• Soft-boiled eggs

• Simple buttered rice

Its citrus brightness really lifts earthy winter ingredients.

How to Use Orange Pepper

Orange Pepper brings a deeper, spicier flavour profile that works well with heartier dishes:

• Pan-seared salmon

• Christmas canapés (e.g., cream cheese crostini)

• Avocado toast

• Lamb cutlets

• Creamy pasta sauces

• Homemade dips and spreads

It’s also delicious sprinkled over soups just before serving.

Looking for more citrus-inspired blends? Try our Zesty Lemon Pepper next!

Why Homemade Seasonings Make Great Gifts

If you’re looking for something thoughtful, budget-friendly, and sustainable, these citrus blends are ideal.

They feel personal, smell incredible, and pair perfectly with:

• A bottle of olive oil

• A small handmade tray or bowl (perfect opportunity to link to your concrete home décor pieces)

• A festive kitchen hamper

• A homemade recipe card

They also suit vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free lifestyles—making them a safe gifting option.

How to Make Orange Salt and Orange Pepper: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use other citrus fruits?

Yes. Lemon, lime or grapefruit zest all work brilliantly.

2. Do I need to use flaky salt?

Flaky sea salt gives the best texture, but regular coarse salt works too.

3. How long does it take for the flavours to infuse?

The flavour is immediate, but it develops even more over 24 hours.

4. Can I air-dry the zest instead of using the oven?

Absolutely. Air drying works perfectly—it just takes longer.

5. Can I mix orange zest with both salt and pepper?

Yes. A combined orange–salt–pepper blend is fantastic for seasoning roasted fish or chicken.