How To Make Rosemary Salt

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Learning how to make rosemary salt means you can have that fresh rosemary flavor even in the middle of winter. Why is that important to me? Well, do you ever get that nostalgic feeling when you smell something? For me, it’s the smell of rosemary. Something about it takes me back to my childhood when my mom would cook dinner and use rosemary salt as a seasoning. I loved the taste then, and I love it now. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you my recipe for rosemary salt, so you can experience that nostalgia too!

Fresh rosemary is the one herb I grow in my garden every single year. There are so many benefits to using rosemary in your cooking that I don’t even know where to start! This fragrant, versatile herb is a great addition to savory dishes and can make them taste extra delicious. Not only does it add flavor, but rosemary also has nutritional value, providing antioxidants and other important nutrients. his homemade rosemary salt is the perfect way to season your cooking. So next time you’re feeling stuck in a cooking rut, reach for the rosemary and see how your food comes alive!

Dried vs fresh herbs

DIY rosemary salt can be made with either fresh or dried rosemary. Really, the one you choose is based on what you have available.

Fresh herbs, dried right from your garden will have a stronger flavor since the essential oils are strongest in a fresh plant. Rosemary starts to lose its flavor as it is stored, so you may want to open up a fresh bottle if you are buying it at the store.

What Is the Best Way To Dry Rosemary?

If you grow your own rosemary, it will only be fresh during the spring and summer months. Don’t let that plant go to waste. I will share directions for using fresh rosemary in DIY herb salts below but here is how to preserve your harvest for use all year long.

I find that the best way to dry rosemary for making herb salt blends is in the dehydrator. If you don’t have one, you can certainly dry it in the oven on the lowest setting possible with the door cracked open.

Laying the rosemary sprigs out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, set the oven to around 200F degrees and leave the door slightly ajar. Check on the rosemary every 30 minutes or so, giving it a stir. When the rosemary is completely dry and crumbly, it’s ready to be stored in an air tight container.

You can also air dry it or microwave it on paper towels for a short time if you don’t have a dehydrator. If you need more tips for drying herbs, check out my post on how to dry basil leaves.

How to prepare fresh rosemary for making herb salts

If you are growing your own rosemary, make sure you skip the pesticides and herbicides. Organic rosemary is the only kind you want to include in homemade herb salts.

Snip off stems in the early morning when the plant is cool and the essential oils are the strongest.

Give the sprigs a good rinse under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Gently pat them dry with a clean towel.

To prepare the rosemary, strip the leaves from the stems. You can do this by running your fingers down the stem in the opposite direction of the growth. The leaves should easily fall off.

Now you can move on to actually making rosemary salt.

What Is the Best Kind Of Salt For Herb Salt?

Sea Salt

Sea salt is a type of salt that is obtained from evaporated seawater. It contains a high concentration of minerals, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium. These minerals can have a variety of health benefits, such as the promotion of healthy skin and hair, improvement of digestion, and relief from muscle cramps.

In addition, sea salt contains iodine, which is essential for proper thyroid function. Some people also believe that it can help to detoxify the body and boost the immune system. You can choose from either coarse or fine sea salt for your herb blends.

Kosher Salt

Kosher salt is made without the addition of any chemicals or other processing agents. As a result, it is considered to be a more natural and pure form of salt than traditional table salt.

In addition, Kosher salt is also more coarsely ground than other types of salt, which makes it ideal for use in herb blends. The larger grain size also helps to prevent it from clumping together, making it easier to measure and use.

Overall, Kosher salt is a versatile and convenient option for both cooking and seasoning foods.

Himalayan pink salt

Himalayan pink salt is a type of rock salt that is mined in the Himalayan mountains. It is pink in color due to the presence of minerals such as iron oxide.

Himalayan pink salt has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its purported health benefits. For example, some people believe that it can help to regulate blood pressure, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation.

Himalayan pink salt is a great addition to herb blends. It gives a unique look to your final product compared to traditional white salt.

Tips For Making Rosemary Salt

How fine should you grind it?

The size of the salt crystals will determine how quickly the flavor is released. If you want an instant hit of rosemary flavor, go for a finer grind. For a more subtle flavor, use a coarse grind.

If using a food processor, start with larger pieces of dried rosemary and pulse until it reaches the desired consistency.

How much rosemary should I use?

A good rule of thumb is to use 1 part dried herb to 2 parts salt. So, if you’re using 1 cup of salt, you’ll need 1/2 cup of rosemary.

If you want a stronger flavor, you can always add more rosemary. This may take a bit of trial and error.

The freshness of the rosemary matters

As mentioned above, the fresher the rosemary, the stronger the flavor. If your rosemary is old, you won’t get that strong a flavor.

Either pick fresh rosemary right before making this rosemary salt or buy fresh dried herbs at the store right before using it.

How to store herb salt

This rosemary salt will be fine stored in a small mason jar at room temperature for up to 6 months. However, the flavor and quality will start to degrade after that point.

Store rosemary salt away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry location for the best flavor.

Homemade Rosemary Salt ingredients

½ cup coarse sea salt

¾ cup rosemary leaves, removed from stalks

Variations and Additions

Here are a few suggested variations for flavored salt that you might want to try.

• Garlic Powder 
• Dried Lemon Zest 
• More herbs varieties 
• Peppercorns

How to make rosemary salt

To make your own rosemary salt, follow these simple steps. Prep time is negligible, however, you will need to let it cool for a bit after drying in the oven.

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to make it easier to pour into your grinder after drying
3. Mix the ingredients. Add the coarse sea salt, fresh or dried rosemary, and any add-ins you would like to include (lemon zest is my favorite!).
4. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes
5. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let it cool to room temperature
6. Pour the salt and herb blend into a small food processor or clean coffee grinder. You can also buy an herb grinder specifically for making herb salts.
7. Pulse the salt mixture until you reach the desired consistency. I prefer small bits of rosemary in mine. Try not to overblend or you will get a fine powder that doesn’t have the same visual appeal.
8. Pour your rosemary salt into a small glass mason jar or other airtight container. Avoid plastic as it will absorb odors. Store it in a cool place to extend it’s shelf life.
9. Use your delicious DIY rosemary salt on fish, pork, lamb, potatoes, or vegetables!

Remember, this rosemary salt recipe can be used with other herbs, too. Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or thyme added to coarse kosher salt or sea salt are also a great idea.

How to Use Heb Salt When Cooking

There are many ways to use herb salt when cooking. One way is to use it as a dry rub on meats or vegetables before cooking. This is a great way to infuse flavor without adding any extra liquid.

Another way to use rosemary salt is to add it to soups, stews, or sauces. This will give your dish an extra depth of flavor.

Finally, you can use rosemary salt as a seasoning on cooked foods. This is a great way to add flavor to already-cooked dishes. Simply sprinkle it on top of the food before serving. Lemon zest is particularly tasty on seafood so I love adding it to my herb salt.

No matter how you choose to use it, rosemary salt is a great way to infuse flavor into your food. Try it out in your next dish and see for yourself!

Final Thoughts on Flavored Salts

Infused salt is a delicious addition to some of my favorite recipes. You can make it with rosemary as described here or try other flavored salts with herbs you have growing in your garden, I highly recommend basil salt as well (check out my post on how to dry basil leaves if you want to try that one).

In just a few hours, you can make an elegant herb salt mixture to kick up your roasted potatoes or a homemade gift for the foodie in your life. And sure, you could buy store-bought rosemary salt but when it is as easy as this flavored salt recipe is, make a big batch and use it as Christmas gifts!

My favorite way to use rosemary salt is when I roast potatoes. Just wash and chop (no peeling necessary). Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with homemade rosemary salt before cooking.

Now that you know how to make rosemary salt, there is no reason to let that fresh rosemary go to waste! If you aren’t sure how to grow herbs yet, check out my herb gardening tips for beginners.

More Easy Recipes Using Fresh Herbs

Looking for more fresh herb ideas in your cooking? Here are a few you might want to try:

• Lemon Thyme infused sea salt is perfect for seafood.
• How to make tarragon vinegar which is delicious in homemade salad dressings.
• Herbed deviled eggs are a great recipe for summer BBQs
• How to make lavender sugar which is delicious in homemade shortbread cookies.

Printable Homemade Rosemary Salt Recipe

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