Homemade basil salt is one of those little kitchen luxuries that feels simple yet incredibly special. Just fresh basil and good sea salt combine into a seasoning that adds brightness and depth to almost anything, from roasted vegetables and pasta to avocado toast and soups. It’s super delicious on something as simple as a plate of tomatoes. It’s a fragrant, herb-infused salt you can whip up in minutes, and it brings a taste of summer to your kitchen year-round.
What I love about basil salt is that it’s both practical and indulgent. It preserves fresh herbs in a shelf-stable form, is endlessly versatile, and makes a thoughtful and pretty homemade gift tucked into a little glass jar.
I LOVE this rosemary salt, too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and fast: Just two ingredients, ready in under 20 minutes.
- Preserves fresh basil: Keeps its flavor long after basil season has ended.
- Versatile: Use it to season pasta, soups, salads, avocado toast, roasted potatoes, and more.
- Naturally vegan + gluten-free: Perfect for plant-based cooking.
- Beautifully fragrant: Open a jar, and your whole kitchen smells like summer.
- Giftable: Lovely in a small jar with a handmade label.
Ingredients
Fresh basil leaves: Basil is the star here, and the fresher the better. Its sweet, peppery, slightly minty notes infuse the salt beautifully. You can also experiment with purple basil for a more dramatic look.
Coarse salt: Use a good-quality salt like sea salt or kosher salt … or a mix of both. The clean flavor balances the herbaceous basil, and its texture grinds easily with dried leaves. Avoid iodized table salt, the iodine can give off-flavors.
Salt Quality
The quality of salt matters. Unrefined sea salts contain trace minerals that bring subtle complexity. A clean, mineral-rich salt will highlight the basil’s natural sweetness without overwhelming it.
How to Prep for This Recipe
Equipment Needed:
- Baking sheet
- Food processor
- Parchment paper
- Airtight glass jar for storage
Prepping basil is simple: rinse, dry thoroughly, and remove stems.
How to Make Basil Salt
Add the salt and basil to a food processor and pulse to get started, then process until the basil is ground up, and the salt has become finer. This only takes a minute or so.
Spread the blended salt and basil on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Dry in a cold oven with the fan on for an hour or so. Alternatively, leave the baking sheet on a counter overnight to dry out.
Make sure the salt is bone dry. Then stir and crumble the salt … it will be slightly clumped … and pour into your glass, lidded container.
This will last for a year or more if kept dry.
Tips and Tricks
- Dry completely: Any moisture in the basil can make the salt clump or mold.
- Texture control: Blend longer for a fine finishing salt, or pulse lightly for a coarse, rustic mix.
- Flavor boost: Try mixing in lemon zest or garlic powder for variations.
- Gifting idea: Spoon into mini jars, tie with twine, and label for homemade holiday or hostess gifts.
Basil Salt Recipe
Homemade basil salt is a fragrant, herb-infused seasoning
made with just basil and salt. It’s quick, simple, and endlessly versatile ... the perfect way to preserve summer flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarse sea salt or kosher salt (or a combination of the two)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and dried, loosely packed
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
32Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Hello! I’m Lisa, a vegan artist, photographer, author, Vegan Life Coach Educator, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. I love showing others how simple and delicious a plant-based diet can be. I draw and paint, cook, write, take lots of pics, eat lots of chocolate, and practice gratitude daily.
Nice! Let me know how it turns out!