Quick answer
Blend coarse sea salt or flake salt with dried herbs, zest, or spices. Dry ingredients fully, mix, and store in airtight jars for finishing dishes.
Key takeaways
- Blend coarse sea salt or flake salt with dried herbs, zest, or spices. Dry ingredients fully, mix, and store in airtight jars for finishing dishes.
- Coarse sea salt or flake salt carries mix-ins well and melts slowly on hot food.
- Lemon zest salt: 1 tablespoon zest per 1/2 cup salt, dried overnight.
- Wet zest, fresh garlic, or truffle oil make clumpy, risky mixes.
- Sprinkle on cooked food, salads, avocado, and grilled vegetables.
Choose Your Base Salt
Coarse sea salt or flake salt carries mix-ins well and melts slowly on hot food. Fine table salt blends faster but can taste harsh in large flakes. Maldon-style flakes suit citrus and herb mixes.
Classic Flavor Ideas
Lemon zest salt: 1 tablespoon zest per 1/2 cup salt, dried overnight. Garlic herb: 1 teaspoon dried garlic and 1 tablespoon dried herbs per 1/2 cup salt. Smoked paprika salt: 1 tablespoon paprika per 1/2 cup salt. Coffee salt: 1 tablespoon very fine coffee per 1/2 cup salt for steaks and chocolate desserts.
Dry Before You Mix
Wet zest, fresh garlic, or truffle oil make clumpy, risky mixes. Dry zest on a plate 24 hours. Use dried garlic, not fresh. For truffle flavor, a few drops oil on salt spread on a sheet, dry 48 hours, then crumble.
How to Use Finishing Salts
Sprinkle on cooked food, salads, avocado, and grilled vegetables. Flavored salts are strong. Start with a pinch. Do not use garlic herb salt in sweet baking unless the recipe calls for it.
Recommended salt
Flake Salt
Clean, bright saltiness with a satisfying crunch that dissolves quickly on the tongue.
Learn more about Flake Salt →Step-by-Step
- Dry flavorings
Zest, herbs, and spices must be bone dry so the jar stays free-flowing.
- Measure salt and add-ins
Start with 1/2 cup coarse salt and small amounts of flavor. You can always add more spice.
- Mix thoroughly
Stir or pulse in a dry spice grinder for even color and flavor.
- Taste test
Pinch on a cucumber slice or plain rice. Adjust spices before jarring.
- Store airtight
Fill small jars, seal, label with date and flavor. Keep away from stove steam.