Smoky Herb Infused Seasoning Salt
Elevate your culinary creations with this Smoky Herb Infused Seasoning Salt! Perfectly balanced with aromatic herbs and a touch of heat, this seasoning blend is designed to enhance any dish, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or even popcorn. The carefully selected juniper berries and chipotle chile add a distinctive smokiness that will tantalize your taste buds and transform everyday meals into extraordinary dining experiences. Pack it in charming jars with ribbons for delightful gifts that friends and family will cherish. It’s a fabulous alternative to traditional salt, allowing you to reduce sodium intake while still enjoying bold flavors. Keep this flavorful blend at your cooking station for easy access as you create mouthwatering dishes!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried juniper berries
2 teaspoons (Whole)
Dried bay leaf
1 (Crumble)
Whole cloves
8 (Whole)
Peppercorns
1 tablespoon (Whole)
Dried chipotle chile
1 small (Whole)
Dried rosemary
1 tablespoon (Whole or crushed)
Garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon (Ground)
Smoked paprika
1/2 tablespoon (Ground)
Onion powder
1/2 tablespoon (Ground)
Brown sugar
1/4 cup (Firmly packed)
Sea salt
3 lbs (Coarse or fine)
Instructions
1
In a designated coffee grinder, combine the dried juniper berries, crumbled bay leaf, whole cloves, peppercorns, and dried chipotle chile. Grind to a fine powder.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground spice mixture with dried rosemary, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, brown sugar, and sea salt.
3
Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well distributed.
4
Transfer the seasoning salt into airtight containers or decorative jars for gifting, and store in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Herb Infused Seasoning Salt?
It is a versatile and flavorful seasoning blend made with aromatic herbs, spices, and a touch of heat, designed to elevate dishes like grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and even popcorn.
What ingredients are included in this seasoning salt?
The recipe calls for dried juniper berries, a crumbled bay leaf, whole cloves, peppercorns, a small dried chipotle chile, dried rosemary, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, brown sugar, and sea salt.
How do you prepare the spice mixture?
First, grind the dried juniper berries, crumbled bay leaf, cloves, peppercorns, and chipotle chile into a fine powder. Then, mix this powder with the remaining herbs, powders, sugar, and sea salt.
What provides the smoky flavor in this recipe?
The smoky profile is achieved through the combination of dried chipotle chile and smoked paprika.
How should the seasoning salt be stored?
It should be stored in airtight containers or decorative jars in a cool, dry place to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Can this seasoning salt be given as a gift?
Yes, the recipe suggests packing the salt in charming decorative jars with ribbons for a delightful and personal gift.
Is this seasoning suitable for popcorn?
Yes, it is explicitly recommended as a flavor enhancer for popcorn.
Does this recipe help reduce sodium intake?
According to the description, the bold flavors of this herb-infused blend allow you to enjoy flavorful food while potentially reducing your overall sodium intake.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe specifies 3 pounds of sea salt, which can be either a coarse or fine grind.
Why is a coffee grinder necessary?
A coffee grinder is used to pulverize whole spices like juniper berries, cloves, and peppercorns into a fine powder for even distribution throughout the salt.
Is this blend appropriate for grilling?
Yes, it is designed to enhance the flavor of various grilled meats.
What is the role of brown sugar in the seasoning?
Brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness that balances the aromatic herbs and the heat of the chipotle chile.
How many whole cloves are used?
The recipe requires 8 whole cloves to be ground into the spice base.
Can I use fresh rosemary instead of dried?
The recipe specifically calls for dried rosemary to ensure the mixture remains shelf-stable and doesn't introduce moisture to the salt.
How much sea salt is used in a single batch?
This recipe makes a large batch using 3 pounds of sea salt.
What type of peppercorns should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of whole peppercorns to be ground with the other spices.
How should the bay leaf be prepared?
The bay leaf should be crumbled before being added to the grinder with the other whole spices.
Is the seasoning salt very spicy?
It contains one small dried chipotle chile and peppercorns, which provide a touch of heat, but the spice is balanced by other savory ingredients.
Can this be used on roasted vegetables?
Yes, it is a fabulous addition to roasted vegetables, transforming them into an extraordinary side dish.
Should the rosemary be ground or whole?
The recipe notes that the dried rosemary can be kept whole or crushed, depending on your preference.
Is this seasoning salt vegan?
Yes, all ingredients are plant-based spices or mineral salt, making it suitable for a vegan diet.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, all the listed spices and sea salt are naturally gluten-free.
What powders are mixed in after the grinding step?
Garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder are stirred in after the whole spices have been ground.
What do juniper berries add to the seasoning?
Juniper berries provide a unique aromatic quality and depth that complements the smoky notes.
How long will the seasoning salt stay fresh?
If kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, it will maintain its potency for several months.
Is this seasoning good for Tex-Mex cooking?
Yes, the combination of chipotle and paprika makes it highly suitable for Tex-Mex inspired dishes.
Can I use table salt as a substitute?
While sea salt is recommended for its texture and flavor, table salt can be used if necessary, though the volume may differ.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe does not specify a serving size as it produces a large batch intended for use as a condiment or rub over many meals.
How is the chipotle chile prepared?
One small dried chipotle chile is ground along with the juniper berries, bay leaf, cloves, and peppercorns.
Can I scale this recipe down?
Yes, the ingredient ratios can be easily halved or reduced if you do not wish to make the full 3 pounds of seasoning salt at once.