How to Use Rosemary Salt: Best Tips & Recipes

Rosemary salt is a delicious aromatic seasoning made from salt and dried rosemary, sometimes with added complementary flavours like lemon zest or garlic. It is used to add savoury seasoning to a range of dishes, from grilled or roasted meats to freshly baked bread. It is typically made from salt with large crystals or flakes, such as kosher salt or a sea salt like Maldon. To find out more about the different types of salt, check out our guide to 7 different types of salt.

Rosemary salt packs quite a punch, so use it sparingly - you can always add more later. It tastes great with vegetables and meat, especially lamb and chicken, with fried or roasted potatoes, or even as a sophisticated seasoning for homemade potato chips. It also adds an extra level of flavour to fresh ingredients like tomatoes and smashed avocado, and tastes divine baked into a rustic focaccia loaf, or added to a little vinegar and oil for dipping.

How to make it

Making rosemary salt is super quick and easy. All you need is a cup of salt and some fresh rosemary. Some people like to add a little lemon zest too.

Pick some rosemary leaves - around five or six stem’s worth should be enough, and dice them up as finely as possible. Place the rosemary and salt into a food processor, along with the zest of one lemon if using, and pulse until the ingredients are well mixed. Then pour out onto a baking tray in a thin layer, cover with baking foil and leave to dry out overnight. Store your rosemary sea salt in an airtight container and it will last for up to a year, although the flavour will fade as time goes on.

If you find you like rosemary salt, you might want to experiment with other types of infused salt. Popular variations include garlic salt, celery salt, and vanilla salt. To find out how to make these, and other tasty salts, take a look at these 18 DIY flavoured salt recipes.

Rosemary Salt Roast Chicken

Rosemary salt is used to bring out the flavours of a succulent roast chicken in this simple recipe, courtesy of Olive magazine. Rosemary salt is rubbed into the chicken and left overnight to draw out the moisture, making an irresistible golden, crispy skin that’s just bursting with flavour.

Grilled Leg of Lamb with Rosemary Salt

This tasty supper recipe from Epicurious celebrates the classic flavour combination of lamb and rosemary. Tender cuts of lamb are marinated overnight in a mixture of yoghurt, garlic and rosemary, then grilled or barbecued and finished with a dusting of delicious rosemary salt.

Crispy Potatoes with Rosemary Salt

For a tasty side dish to impress at dinner parties, try this irresistible crispy potato recipe from Better Homes & Gardens. Finely cut russet potatoes, cooked in rosemary salt and butter until crisp and golden. Simply delicious!

If you can’t get enough of the aromatic herbal flavour of rosemary, you might like to try one of these 5 recipes to increase your rosemary repertoire.

If there’s anything that can beat the smell of freshly baked bread, it’s the smell of freshly baked bread with rosemary. This classic Italian focaccia is finished with a liberal dusting of rosemary and salt, and tastes great served warm with oil and vinegar.

Another delicious roast chicken and rosemary dish, this time with a savoury and aromatic stuffing made from rosemary, parsley and leeks.

A refined dish for a special occasion, this ratatouille tartlet with lamb and rosemary sabayon takes the classic combination of rosemary and lamb to the next level.

Juicy and full of flavour, these hearty Italian meatballs taste great with a simple salad of ricotta and wild herbs.

For something a little different, try some fig, balsamic and rosemary pies. These complex sweet and herbal pastries taste great served with ice cream or creamy goat’s cheese.