If you’ve got fresh basil and parsley on hand and want a way to make them last longer than a few days in the fridge, this homemade basil salt is a simple solution.
It’s made with just three ingredients, comes together with minimal hands-on effort, and gives you a bright, herby seasoning that can be sprinkled onto almost anything.
Once you try it, you’ll likely find yourself reaching for it instead of plain salt for a lot of everyday cooking.
This recipe is a great option for anyone who grows their own herbs and often ends up with more basil and parsley than they can use fresh.
Instead of letting extra herbs wilt away in the fridge, turning them into a seasoning blend locks in their flavor and gives them a much longer shelf life.
It’s also a budget friendly way to make the most of a farmers market haul or a garden harvest that’s producing faster than you can cook with it.
Below, you’ll find the full ingredient list, step by step instructions, a few helpful tips, and answers to common questions people ask when making herb-infused salt at home.
Why Homemade Basil Salt Is Worth Making
Fresh herbs are packed with flavor, but that flavor fades quickly once they’re picked. Drying basil and parsley together with coarse salt is a simple way to hold onto that fresh, herby taste for months instead of just a few days.
The salt acts almost like a preservative, helping the dried herbs stay flavorful while also becoming infused with a bit of that green, aromatic quality itself.
This basil salt works well as a finishing touch on so many dishes. Sprinkle it over roasted vegetables, use it to season grilled chicken or fish, stir it into pasta dishes, or even use it to add a fresh, savory note to eggs in the morning.
Because it’s made with real herbs rather than dried spice-rack basil, the flavor comes through noticeably stronger and fresher than most store bought seasoning blends.
Another reason to make this at home is how simple the process really is.
There’s no need for special equipment beyond a blender and a baking tray, and the herbs do most of the work themselves as they dry.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make a batch of homemade basil salt:
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 1 handful fresh parsley
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) coarse salt
That’s the entire ingredient list. Just two fresh herbs and a good coarse salt come together to create a seasoning blend that punches well above its simplicity.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Blend the herbs and salt Add the fresh basil, parsley, and coarse salt to a blender. Blend until the herbs are finely chopped and evenly mixed in with the salt.
You’re looking for a bright green, slightly damp mixture at this stage, since the herbs haven’t been dried yet.
Step 2: Spread on a baking tray Spread the blended mixture out in a thin, even layer on a baking tray. Keeping the layer thin helps the mixture dry more evenly and in less time.
Step 3: Dry in the oven Place the tray in an oven set to 140°F (60°C) and let it dry for about 40 minutes. Stir the mixture regularly throughout the drying process so it dries evenly and doesn’t clump together.
You’ll know it’s ready once all the moisture has cooked off and the mixture feels completely dry to the touch.
Step 4: Blend again for texture Once the mixture has fully dried, blend it one more time until it reaches whatever texture you prefer, whether that’s a fine, sand like consistency or something slightly coarser with visible flecks of herb.
Step 5: Store and use Transfer the finished basil salt into an airtight jar. From there, it’s ready to use as a homemade seasoning to add flavor to your favorite dishes.
Tips for the Best Homemade Basil Salt
Make sure your basil and parsley are completely dry before blending. Excess water on the leaves can extend the drying time significantly.
Use a coarse salt rather than fine table salt, since coarse salt blends better with the fresh herbs and produces a nicer overall texture once dried.
Stir the mixture on the baking tray every 10 minutes or so while it dries to prevent any clumping or uneven drying.
Store the finished salt in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to help it hold onto its flavor and color for as long as possible.
If you want to experiment, other fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano can be swapped in for the parsley to create different flavor combinations.
When stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place, this basil salt can last for several months without losing much of its flavor or aroma.
Coarse salt is recommended for this recipe because it blends smoothly with the fresh herbs and dries well in the oven. Fine table salt can technically be used, but the texture and overall result may differ slightly.
It’s best to use mostly leaves, since thick stems can be tougher to break down in the blender and may affect the final texture. A few thin stems won’t cause any issues.
Yes, a food dehydrator can be used as an alternative to the oven. Just keep the temperature low and check regularly until all the moisture has been removed.
This basil salt works well sprinkled over roasted vegetables, grilled meats, pasta, salads, or even eggs. It’s a versatile way to add a fresh, herby flavor to almost any savory dish.
The first blend combines the fresh herbs with the salt before drying. The second blend, done after drying, breaks the mixture down further into your preferred final texture.
This recipe is built around fresh basil and parsley for the brightest flavor. Using dried herbs from the start would skip the drying step entirely and likely produce a different, less vibrant result.
Yes, stirring regularly helps the mixture dry evenly and prevents any clumps of moisture from staying trapped in the middle of the tray.
Final Thoughts
This homemade basil salt is a simple, low-effort way to hold onto the fresh flavor of basil and parsley long after they’d normally wilt away in the fridge. With just three ingredients and a bit of time in the oven, you’ll end up with a versatile seasoning that can boost the flavor of just about any savory dish. Once you have a jar of this on hand, it’s easy to see how quickly it becomes a regular part of your cooking routine.
Homemade Basil Salt Recipe (Simple, Fresh, and Full of Herby Flavor)
Ingredients
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 1 handful fresh parsley
- 150 grams coarse salt
Instructions
- Blend herbs and salt: Add 1 handful fresh basil leaves, 1 handful fresh parsley, and 150 grams coarse salt to a blender. Blend until the herbs are finely chopped and evenly combined with the salt.
- Spread on baking tray: Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on a baking tray.
- Dry in the oven: Dry in the oven at 140°F (60°C) for about 40 minutes
- , stirring regularly, until all the moisture is gone.
- Blend again: Once completely dry, blend again until you reach your preferred texture.
- Store and use: Transfer to an airtight jar and use as a homemade seasoning for your favorite dishes.
