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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.
-
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.
Steph says
Dear Scott and Chris,
Hello from Brisbane, Australia! Thank you for your lovely website and recipes.
Could I please request the printable labels? I am making this salt as a gift for my relatives.
Bless you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Steph, so glad you're enjoying the site! We are happy to send the labels.
lynn cheesbrough says
I've lost the labels or maybe I never asked for them. I would love them because I am using your recipe for xmas gifts. Thank you. Lynn
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Lynn!
Carol Sangster says
I accidentally deleted the labels from my email. Could you please resend? Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Carol
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Carol!
Jen Thames says
I am making this weekend, do you use italian or curly parsley? Can I have the labels, as well? 🙂
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Jen, we use Italian parsley. Sending the labels your way.
Sharon Otness says
I am always looking for new ways to use the abundance of herbs in my garden. Please send me your delightful labels. Will be making this blend.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Sharon!
Christine says
Thanks for the great recipe and gift idea. Please send me the label.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Christine!
Jennifer Mariano says
You are making my gift giving easy this year with all of your amazing recipes and gift ideas! I would love the printable labels for your Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt to add to my gift giving collection, please 🙂
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
So glad to hear that, Jennifer! We will send the labels.
Shelby says
going to make these this week! Thank you! Please send labels! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Shelby! Sending them your way!
Sally Black says
This salt looks wonderful. I’m about to order the jars and would love to receive your labels. Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Sally!
Julie A. Fleming says
I have the jars and I'm ready to do this!
Please send your printable label!
Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Julie!
Patricia M Begona says
Lovely recipe! I'll include some jars for Christmas!
Thank you.
Is it possible to have the labels? They're cute!
Warm regards,
Pat
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Of course, Pat! Enjoy!
Alison Chambers says
Such a cute idea! Would you please send me the pdf for the labels?
thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Alison! Sending them your way!
Phyllis Bryant says
Please send me this label! Love the recipe. Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Phyllis!
Carol says
I’m making this salt for Christmas and would love the labels. Thank you.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Carol!
Amanda Henderson says
I would dearly love to add this to my home made gifts. Please add me to the free label list.
Cant wait to make it.
Thanks 🙂
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them now, Amanda!
Darenda Ashby says
I would love the label!!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Darenda!
Britney Judge says
What a lovely gift idea. I am going to make this right now. Please send me the PDF as yours looks beautiful.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them now, Britney!
Marty Arrington says
Oh, I am so excited about the sea salt! Can't wait to make it for friends this Christmas. Thank you so much.
I appreciate the offer of the free printable labels. Please send them to me.
P.S. The scripture was a lovely addition.
Merry Christmas!
Marty
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
So glad to hear that, Marty! Sending the labels your way.
Kim Cameron says
As I write this review, my kitchen smells amazing - very easy recipe to make. I will be gifting these to my foodie friends, and would love to have the labels to print. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Kim! Sending them your way!
Jennifer Fitzgerald says
Can't wait to try this and to share with family and friends. Please send labels for this. Thanks!!!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Jennifer!
Monica F says
Hi! I started making this salt today, the kitchen smells absolutely amazing, I can’t wait to try it on a nice piece of roast beef.
I will be gifting this along with the cashew curry brittle and the maple spiced pecans from your website. Thanks for the recipes, they always turned out wonderful. I have quick question, should I keep the salt in the refrigerator or in the pantry? And what’s the shelf live of it?
Thanks again.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Monica, no need to refrigerate. It keeps well at room temperature. I've had some for 6 months and it still has lots of flavor!
Sandi says
Hi Chris - I would like to make this salt for my "foodie" children. I would greatly appreciate the printable labels.
Thank you so much for sharing the recipes for these homemade gifts and the labels! I have tried several of the food gifts in your post and have found them all simple and delightful.
Thanks,
Sandi
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thank you for the kind comment, Sandi! We will send the labels your way.
Lisa says
I've been searching for the perfect herbed salt recipe and I think this is it! Can you please email me the labels? Thanks so much for taking the time to make them and this wonderful post!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Lisa!
Lesley Gilchrist says
Please share the printable labels. Thanks
Lesley
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Lesley!
Kathy Johnson says
This looks like the perfect gift for my foodie friends and family. I love the look of the gift too. Would you be so kind to share the pdf printable labels when you can. Thanks so much!
PS….all the recipes I have made from your blog are exceptional and I love the scripture verse you pair with the recipe
Kathy
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks for the kind comment, Kathy! Sending the labels your way.
Jen says
Dear Chris, I've been searching high and low for the perfect homemade gift for those who have 'everything' and this ticks the box. Thank you so much for your recipe, and I would really appreciate the labels from you. Thank you, and have a safe and happy Christmas Season. Cheers!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks for the kind comment, Jen! Sending the labels your way.