Homemade Basil Salt: An Easy Way to Preserve Summer Basil

If your garden is overflowing with basil right now, this is one of my favorite ways to preserve that fresh summer flavor.

Basil salt is incredibly simple to make, requires just two ingredients, and gives you a way to enjoy your garden basil long after summer is over.

I love recipes like this because they are simple enough to make in minutes, but they feel a little special when you pull them out of the pantry months later. Basil salt is wonderful sprinkled over tomatoes, pasta, roasted vegetables, salads, eggs, chicken, fish, or even a slice of avocado toast.

And if you’re thinking ahead to the holidays, tuck this recipe away. Homemade basil salt makes a thoughtful Christmas gift, especially packaged in a pretty little jar with a label.

What You’ll Need

• Fresh basil
• Flaky sea salt

I used Maldon flaky sea salt, which I love for its light, delicate texture. You can use another flaky or coarse sea salt, but I recommend avoiding very fine table salt for this recipe.

The Ratio

The recipe is easy to remember:

1 part fresh basil to 3 parts salt

You can make as much or as little as you have basil for.

For example:

• 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 3 cups flaky sea salt

You can easily cut that in half or even make a small batch with just a handful of basil.

How to Make Basil Salt

1. Harvest your basil

Pick fresh, healthy basil leaves and remove any stems. Give the leaves a gentle rinse if needed, then dry them.

This is important because excess moisture can cause your basil salt to clump and can shorten its shelf life.

I like to spread the basil on a clean kitchen towel and let it air dry completely.

2. Combine the basil and salt

Add the fresh basil and salt to a food processor.

Pulse several times until the basil is finely chopped and evenly distributed throughout the salt. The salt will take on a beautiful green color as the basil oils are released.

Don’t over-process it into a paste. You want the mixture to remain salt-like in texture.

3. Dry the basil salt

Spread the mixture into a thin, even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Let it air dry until completely dry, which can take several hours or overnight depending on the humidity.

For a quicker method, you can use a very low oven (225°) or dehydrator. The goal is to remove the moisture from the fresh basil without cooking the salt.

Once completely dry, break up any clumps.

4. Store

Transfer your basil salt to an airtight glass jar and store it in a cool, dry place.

Ways to Use Basil Salt

Once you make a batch, you’ll find so many ways to use it.

Try it on:

• Fresh garden tomatoes
• Pasta
• Roasted vegetables
• Salads
• Eggs
• Chicken or fish
• Avocado toast
• Homemade focaccia or bread
• Caprese salad
• Grilled vegetables

One of my favorite ways to use it is simply sprinkled over fresh tomatoes from the garden with a drizzle of olive oil. It’s such a simple reminder of summer.

Make It a Homemade Christmas Gift

This is also one of those little garden projects that is perfect for making ahead for the holidays.

Fill small glass jars with basil salt, add a simple label, and tie on a piece of ribbon or twine. You could pair it with a wooden spoon, a tea towel, or another homemade kitchen gift to create a simple food lover’s gift basket.

A little jar of summer basil feels especially meaningful in the middle of winter.

If you grow your own basil, this is also a wonderful way to use up an abundant harvest instead of letting those extra leaves go to waste.

A Simple Gift Label

SUMMER BASIL SALT
Made with garden-fresh basil + flaky sea salt
Perfect for tomatoes, vegetables, pasta & more.

A Few Tips