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This fabulous Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt blend is a magical seasoning with an intoxicating aroma that transforms everything from ordinary to extraordinarily delicious. It's like taking a culinary journey to Italy!
A while back I noticed that my daughter, Cait had a little jar of seasoning on her counter, near the stove. Being a little quite nosy when it comes to anything culinary, I picked it up and saw that the label was written in Italian, Sale Marino alle Erbe Toscane (Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt).
So fragrant and delicious!
I opened the cover and took a sniff... oh my! The aroma was heavenly and if I closed my eyes, I found myself transported to a sunny Tuscan hillside with wild rosemary and sage growing all around, the brilliantly azure Mediterranean sparkling in the distance.
I tried it on scrambled eggs and the flavor was fabulous. Next, it went on chicken, then steak and pretty soon I began sprinkling it on everything as it just seemed to enhance the flavor of whatever it touched.
I knew that I needed this magical seasoning in my life. I checked online and although Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt is available, it's quite pricey for a small jar or bag. I decided to try to make my own and, with a bit of experimenting, I think I've come quite close to the original. 🙌
How to make Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt
Although you could probably make this Tuscan Herbed Sea by hand, it's easiest with a food processor. How does it work? Simply gather a handful of fresh rosemary and sage. Those are the main ingredients, although I like to also add a few sprigs of oregano, parsley and thyme along with a few cloves of garlic. Run your knife through the herbs to nicely chop them (this makes it easer to get an accurate measurement) then combine the herbs and a small portion of the fine sea salt in a food processor.
Pulse, pulse, pulse and let the processor finely chop everything to a fine sandy green consistency. Add a few cloves of garlic and pulse again till finely ground. Then combine this fragrant herby mixture with more fine sea salt and a scoop of black pepper on a sheet pan. Pretend you're back in the sandbox and mix the salt herb mixture with your hands till well combined (the fragrance is amazing!). Place the sheet pan in the oven for 30 minutes, then turn off the oven and let it all cool. That's it! So easy... so delicious!
A fun gift that any cook will love
I've already given away a bunch of this Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt and I'm about to make a new batch, as I'm running low. It makes a wonderful hostess gift and a special treat for neighbors, friends, teachers, hairdressers... anyone who enjoys cooking. We've created a pretty label to make jars of this Tuscan Sea Salt really pretty and we're happy to share a PDF for the free printable labels.
Just scroll to the bottom of this post and leave a comment in the comment box letting us know that you'd like to receive the labels. We'll send them to you via email along with instructions for printing and links for the jars pictured in the post.
Don't wait!
So, RUN to the store (and/or out to your herb garden). Pick up some fine sea salt and fresh herbs. You definitely want this Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt in your life. Once you start using it, you'll want to sprinkle it on EVERYTHING. Plus, it's a really inexpensive way to take a trip to Italy!
Café Tips for making this Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt (Sale alle Erbe)
- I love the pretty jars pictured above with cork lids for gifting this Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt. The seasoning blend stays nice and fresh but it's really easy to open up quickly when cooking. In addition to the cork lid, the order includes a plastic lid which is great if you want to use them for yogurt or salad dressing or sauces.
- If you don't have an herb garden and/or don't want to buy a variety of herbs for this recipe, just use rosemary, sage (and the garlic and pepper). Those are the primary herbs used for Tuscan seasoning.
- Be sure to use fine sea salt. The herbs will not blend as nicely with a coarse ground salt. I like to use either Morton or Alessi Fine Mediterranean Sea Salt which I can find at my local grocery store, although there are other nice fine Mediterranean sea salts available elsewhere.
- Although you will use a food processor to finely chop the herbs in this recipe, it's important to roughly chop them with a knife before measuring. This not only makes the measuring more accurate, it also keeps the food processor blades from getting stuck with the herbs.
- I use my mini food processor to make this Tuscan Herb Sea Salt. I really love this little kitchen workhorse. It's reasonably priced, easy to get out, doesn't take up much storage space, works GREAT and the parts go right into the dishwasher for cleaning. A regular size food processor will also work.
- It's not necessary but I like to use my kitchen scale to make this seasoning salt. I've included the measurements in grams and cups/tablespoons below.
- Although I love freshly ground black pepper, I don't use that in this recipe. It's better to use a finely ground black pepper as it will be distributed better throughout the seasoning mixture and it makes for a prettier presentation.
Thought for the day:
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
could open the scroll or even look inside it.
I wept and wept because no one was found
who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
Then one of the elders said to me,
"Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.
He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne,
encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
He had seven horns and seven eyes,
which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
He came and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
And when He had taken it,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.
Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain,
and with Your blood, You purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Revelation 5:2-9
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
- ¼ cup chopped fresh rosemary leaves 12g
- ¼ cup chopped fresh sage leaves 5g
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves 3g
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 1g
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves 1 g
- 17-18 ounces fine Mediterranean sea salt 500g or right around 2 cups (I use Morton or Alessi fine Mediterranean Sea Salt)
- 2 medium garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon fine ground black pepper 2.3g
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Preheat the oven to 200˚F. Set aside a 12x18-inch sheet pan.
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Combine all of the chopped herbs in the bowl of a food processor (I use my mini food processor). Add ¼ cup of the fine sea salt. Pulse until everything is finely chopped and the consistency is like slightly damp sand.
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Add the garlic cloves and pulse again until the garlic is invisible and well incorporated. The texture at this point will be more like wet sand.
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Combine the remaining fine sea salt and the herb mixture on the 12x18-inch sheet pan. Be sure to scrape out all the good herb stuff from the sides and bottom of the food processor bowl. Add the pepper and, using your hands, mix until well combined. It should be a pretty green color at this point.
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Place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven, allowing the mixture to cool and continue to dry out for another 30-60 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
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Rub the mixture with your hands to break up any lumps. Any smaller lumps can be crushed with the back of a spoon. Transfer to airtight storage jars when completely cooled. Sprinkle it on everything (well, maybe not ice cream or brownies!).
See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
The herbs do not need to be chopped super fine before adding the food processor. The processor will do that. But you do want to chop them up a bit so you can properly measure them. Also, I've found that whole herb leaves can get stuff in the blades of the food processor.
Sherri Jackson says
Question: how long does this stay fresh (shelf life), in case I’m asked. I’m thinking this would make a lovely gift for my daughter’s bridal shower guests.
And may I please have the label link?
Thanks so much and God bless you,
Sherri J
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Sherri, If it is dried out well, it should last 9-12 months. We will send the labels!
Corinna Mangum says
Please send me the pre printed labels! Thanks so much ❣️
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Corinna!
Madeleine says
I love giving homemade DIY gifts and this is a winner. I will be handing out jars of this Tuscan Herbed Salt. I look forward to receiving the printable labels.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Madeline! Sending them your way.
Karlene Sherlock says
I would love to have your printable labels. I just made some of this salt, can’t wait to try it.
Thanks Karlene
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Karlene!
Ansley says
I would love to have the printable labels!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Ansley!
Coli D. says
Hello, I was wonder if I could get the labels for the Herbed Sea Salt printable? Love your recipe's and have made many. Thank You Coli
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Coli!
Angie says
Hello! I’m not sure my last post went through so apologies if this is a duplicate! I’m making this great recipe to give as little gifts during a family get together and would love the labels for the jars. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
I'm sorry we missed your earlier comment, Angie! Sending the labels your way now.
Norma Opel says
Can't wait to try this with my Grand Daughter! Please send me the printable labels.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Norma!
Chris hoffmann says
Hi. What a fun recipe! I love it but it does not look as cute without your labels. So I would love for you to send. Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Sending them your way, Chris!
Lynn Costley says
I just made and it smells so good?? Please send me the labels. I am giving this as gifts, thanks for recipe!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Lynn!
K says
Thank you for this beautiful and amazing kitchen gift recipe. May I please have the label for this recipe. Thank you in advance
Chris Scheuer says
Sending them your way, K!
Molly says
So excited to make this recipe for a friends gift! Can I please get the labels? Thank you so much! Merry Christmas!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Molly!
Rosemary says
I am guarddog4@gmail.com, Rosemary,, I requested thru e mail but did not received the download for labels. I have made the salt and will be looking forward to sharing. Thank You!
Chris Scheuer says
We will try again, Rosemary.
Paula Banks says
***** I made this last night for some Christmas gifts…..my house smelled divine.
I would love the free printable labels.
Thanking you in advance
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Paula! We will send the labels your way.
Alison Johnston says
May I have a printable label? I made this salt today and it is heavenly. Can't wait to try it.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Alison!
Julie Kingsley says
Can’t wait to try this, could you tell me if this recipe makes more than one jar. Could you send me labels and the jar source. Thank you and Merry Christmas Julie
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Julie, we are happy to send that information your way. This recipe makes about 2 cups of salt.
Karen Becker says
Oh I can’t wait to make your Tuscan Sea salt! Would you send me a link for your beautiful labels? What a wonderful gift this will make. Thank you so much.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Karen!
Toni says
Gifting these for Christmas! Thank you for the recipe. How do I get the labels?
Chris Scheuer says
We will email them to you, Toni!
Ali says
Excited to make and share this for the holidays. Could you please send me the labels? Thanks so much! ~Ali
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Ali!
Krista Jacoby says
This sounds wonderful! I definitely will try it and would love the link for the jams and labels.
Thank you for all the ways you make my life better.
Krista
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you for the kind comment, Krista! We are happy to send the labels.
Sylvia says
Adding this to my gift giving list, would love to get the labels.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Sylvia!
Tammy Sanchez says
I'm so excited to make these and give them to my co-workers! I can smell it through the pictures. Can you send me the labels? I am making 12 of them.
thanks so much,
Tammy
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Tammy!
Wanda L. Carter says
Please send me the labels for this recipe.
Definitely making it for gifts.
It is a nice substitute for sweet treats for people on my list who need to watch their sugar intake & my foodie friends!
Wanda
Chris Scheuer says
Sending them your way, Wanda!
Linda Chapman says
Could you please send me the labels for the Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt? Can't wait to make it!!! Thank you!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Linda!
Lyn Turner says
Tuscan sea salt in the oven as I write. It smells wonderful. May have to scramble an egg just to try it now! Please send the link for the lables and the jars.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Lyn!
Stephanie Albers says
Seven of my dearest girlfriends traveled to Tuscany years ago, all now in our 80’s and nothing better would bring back the gorgeous memories than your sea salt recipe….can’t wait to share the gifts with them…thank you for your unique recipes…always a joy to read…
Chris Scheuer says
What a wonderful memory, Stephanie! We will send the labels your way.
Jennifer Texidor says
My kitchen is about to smell amazing! Can't wait to try. Would you please send the labels, they're so pretty. Tha k you!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Jennifer!