Lemon and Rosemary Salt makes a really quick, easy and delicious homemade foodie Christmas gift.
If savoury Christmas goodies are your thing then you might also like to have a look at our Chilli Roasted Peanuts or Super Simple Onion Marmalade.
Quick look at Lemon and Rosemary Salt
- ⏲️ 5 mins hands-on time.
- 🛒 Ingredients: Just 3!
- 🍽️ Makes: 3 cups (but you can easily increase quantities)
- 🧑🍳 Difficulty: Easy.
- 🗃️ Make ahead: Keep for months in an air-tight container.
Who doesn't like edible holiday gifts?
I try to scout out ideas throughout the year and I really love a gift that can be packaged in a glass jar or bottle.
When I came across flavoured salts they went to the top of the list, especially with my abundance of fresh rosemary.
Why make Lemon and Rosemary Salt
- Quick & Easy - it's a really simple recipe to make that takes just 5 minutes hands-on time.
- Tastes delicious - it is super tasty and versatile. Rub over meats, sprinkle on homemade bread before baking, use it in savoury dip, flavour roast veggies with it... there are so many options.
- Can be made in advance - I love a Christmas gift recipe I can make in November before the kids finish school.
- Versatile - don't have any rosemary? Mix it up with whatever herbs & citrus you do have on hand. Chili is delicious too especially if you like a spicy margarita.
Jump to:
Recipe Ingredients
To makeLemon rosemary salt you'll need:
- ½ cup rosemary, (fresh and packed)
- finely zested lemon peel from one large lemon
- 3 ½ cups coarse sea salt flakes (this was 4 boxes of Maldon Sea Salt) which was the least expensive I could find
How to Make Lemon & Rosemary Salt
Step 1 - Prepare your ingredients by washing and drying the rosemary and lemon.
Step 2 - Use a potato peeler to peel the zest off the lemon.
Step 3 - Place ⅔ of the salt and the lemon zest and rosemary leaves in the bowl of a Theromomix or food processor and blitz in short burst until fine.
Step 4 - It will turn green and all the leaves and zest will be finely chopped.
Step 5 - Add the rest of the salt and give it a very quick whizz. You want this bit to stay a little chunky.
Step 6 - Spread onto a lined baking tray and break it up using a fork.
Step 7 - Bake at 160C for 1 hour.
Step 8 - You may need to take it out half way through and use a fork to break it up a little then return to the oven. Keep going until it is completely dry.
Store in an airtight container.
How to use Lemon and Rosemary Salt
There really are so many options for using this deliciousness. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Used a pinch in homemade pizza bases instead of plain salt to add flavour.
- Sprinkle on roast veggies.
- Use it on top of a whole chook when roasting.
- Use it on the table instead of regular salt.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely. You can use whatever you like. Different herbs, pepper, lime or orange zest (ooh lime and pepper would be delicious) or even dried chills.
What about you? Are you making any Christmas presents this year?
If you’re storing them in recycled jars, you might like to know how to remove the labels from glass jars quickly and easily without ruining your nails.
Recipe
Lemon and rosemary salt
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh rosemary packed
- finely zested lemon peel from one large lemon
- 3 ½ cups sea salt flakes this was 4 boxes of Maldon Sea Salt which was the least expensive I could find
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 60C (150F) fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- In the food processor, blitz up the rosemary, lemon zest and 2 cups of salt until the rosemary is nice and little and the salt is fine like table salt.
- Pour it out into a large bowl then stir in the rest of the salt.
- Spread it out onto the tray and bake for 1 hour, running a fork through it once or twice, until the rosemary and lemon is all dried out.
- Transfer straight to sterilised jars while it is still warm and secure the lids.
Lauren says
Hi Claire, just wondering if you could use lemon oil in this?
Karen Mannis says
Hi!
I'd like to make the lemon rosemary salt for Christmas gifts since i grow my iwn rosemary and lemons. I wanted yo know if I could also add fresh garlic and if so what smount would work with your recipe?
Claire says
Of course, garlic would be a nice addition, I would suggest starting with two cloves finely diced and see what you think, it is a personal preference with garlic on how much you add, everyone's taste is different. Good luck.
The Café Sucre Farine says
Oh Claire, I wish you lived closer. I buy a ton of Maldon whenever I'm in London as Maldon is just 50 miles north of London and the salt is very very cheap. I'd send you a big boxful. I'm afraid sending it to Australia though would defeat the purpose a bit!
I love the chili sauce idea, I never thought of making my own, quite brilliant!
Claire says
Well there's yet another reason I wish we lived near each other. That would be wonderful!
Another recipe to add to your 'to play with' list for next year?
Hotly Spiced says
i'm so happy to have your salt, Claire. I agree, it makes a perfect gift. I'm going to sprinkle it on my turkey before it goes in the oven and I'm cooking roast chicken tonight so I'll do the same thing. I'm really loving all the homemade gifts from the secret santa and having something like this salt that you don't use up all in one go is just lovely xx
Claire says
Ooh yum I hope it turns out well!
ela@GrayApron says
Fine idea! But one jar, I would definitely save for me :) ela
Claire says
I might have to make some more Ela :-)
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
Looks fabulous! How long does it last for?
Claire says
The salt would last for as long as it takes you to use it I'd say. The sauce - probably up to 2 weeks in the fridge once opened.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I've made so many I really must stop! In fact my last batch of Naughty and Nice Cookies just came out of the oven! :D
Claire says
Ooh yum Lorraine! I just finished decorating some gingerbread.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I haven't made anything yet for gifts. Hopefully all the family issues will subside and I can get in the kitchen for a bit of therapy. Your salt sounds wonderful.
Claire says
I hope so Maureen! x